Facelift FYI
How Do I Know If I Need a Facelift?
A facelift, one of our most commonly performed procedures, can provide a remarkable improvement in your appearance. Facelift surgery may be the ideal procedure for you if you are bothered by any of the following:
A sagging jawline
Falling cheeks
A blunted neckline
The amount of change that can be expected depends on the degree of tissue sagging that is present preoperatively. Some patients choose to undergo a facelift earlier in the aging process for a look that is refreshed and less worn. A person who has waited can expect more dramatic results.
Facelift vs. Neck Lift
Many patients are unsure of whether they need a facelift or just a necklift. While our surgeons typically combine these procedures, some people many benefit from just a necklift. Here is a comparison:
Facelift (Cheek-Neck Lift)
This procedure restores a youthful, rejuvenated facial appearance from the cheek area to the collarbone.
Treatment areas: Cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jawline, double chin, neck skin, and vertical bands.
Incision placement: Begins in the hairline at the temple and extends in front of and behind the ear.
Neck Lift
This procedure restores a well-defined chin and jawline and a smoother, more youthful neck.
Treatment areas: Under the jawline, double chin, neck skin, and vertical bands.
Incision placement: Just behind the ear and possibly below the chin.
What’s a Mini Facelift?
A mini facelift, called an S-Lift, rejuvenates the lower 1/3 of the face and the neck. It is less invasive than a traditional facelift, making it best for people with mild to moderate aging of the face and neck. This technique is performed with a shorter incision than a traditional facelift that runs in front of and behind the ear.
Recovery: 3 to 5 days
Return to work: 5 to 7 days
Resume strenuous activities: 2 weeks
How Is a Facelift Performed?
While each procedure varies, most follow these basic steps:
The facial skin around the ear and neck is lifted, and the underlying muscle and connective tissue are tightened to give a longer-lasting result than can be achieved by tightening only the skin.
The excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is re-draped for an improved contour of the lower face.
Liposuction of excess fat in the jowls and the area under the chin is usually performed with a facelift.
Fat and fibrous tissue from in front of the ear may be positioned to fill in the furrows from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
If you are concerned about only excess fat causing a double chin and not loose skin, liposuction alone may be a good alternative.
Where Are Facelift Incisions Placed?
The incisions for a facelift are made in front of and behind the ear, and they curve naturally into the hair. A shorter-incision facelift, or S-Lift, may be an option for those who require a more moderate degree of correction of their lower face and neck. The hair and hairline are left intact.
Will My Facelift Scars Be Noticeable?
Dr. Shafaie places facelift incisions where the resulting fine scars blend into the natural creases of the skin and into the hair of the scalp. The fine scars are so well-concealed, no one should be able to detect that you’ve had a facelift, even if you wear your hair up.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Facelift?
Recovery following facelift surgery varies from patient to patient, depending on the specific techniques used and the fact that each person heals at a different rate. Here are some general guidelines:
Discomfort can be controlled with prescription pain medication.
Expect some bruising and swelling.
Sleep with your head elevated for the first 2 weeks.
Take short walks to promote good circulation and enhance the healing process.
Most patients return to normal social activities or work 10 to 14 days after surgery.
Schedule your facelift at least 1 or 2 months before a significant social event, such as a wedding or work presentation, to ensure your recovery is complete.
Will I Still Look Like Myself After a Facelift?
There are many methods to facelift surgery, and advancements in this procedure have evolved significantly over the last 10 years. Today, we have newer and better techniques to create natural looking results, not the telltale pulled or windblown look of past facelifts. By carefully relocating the deeper tissues and draping the skin tension-free over the repositioned tissues, a more natural, longer lasting result is produced. After facelift surgery, you should appear younger, well-rested and healthy.
What kind of anesthesia is used for a full cheek and neck lift?
Dr. Shafaie discusses anesthesia options with patients during their consultations. For a facelift, a general anesthetic or conscious sedation are typically the 2 choices, which are both administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. We will recommend the safest option for each patient.
Will a facelift make my whole face look younger?
While a facelift (cheek/neck lift) will provide lasting rejuvenation of the lower 2/3 of your face (the cheeks, jawline, and neck), you may need other procedures to complete your facial rejuvenation. Options include:
Brow Lift to reduce heaviness of the brow area and smooth away forehead creases
Eyelid surgery to tighten sagging upper eyelid skin, reduce pockets of fat around the eyes, and correct puffy under-eye bags
Injectable fillers, such as JUVÉDERM to fill out sunken cheeks and hollows around the eyes.
How can I make my facelift improvements last as long as possible?
A facelift can help you look 5 to 10 years younger, but it doesn’t stop the aging process. We recommend limiting exposure to the sun and wearing a high-quality sunscreen every day. Dysport injections may also help slow down the development of creases to help you maintain your youthful look as long as possible.
Is 70 too old to get a facelift?
Age is really not a good indicator for whether a patient is a good facelift candidate. Above all, a patient should be in good overall health before undergoing any cosmetic surgical procedure. If an older patient has a clean bill of health from his or her physician, it becomes a matter of whether the patient’s aesthetic goals can be realistically achieved through facial plastic surgery. If they can be, then there is no reason not to go through with the procedure.
I’m not ready for a facelift. What can I do to look younger without surgery?
A personalized combination of injectable treatments such as Dysport and dermal fillers, sometimes called a liquid facelift, can help patients who are looking for more subtle improvements. Results last for months, but they are temporary. Laser skin resurfacing may also be included in your nonsurgical facial rejuvenation plan to improve the texture, tone, and firmness of your skin.
Written by: Brenton Koch