A facelift is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the visible signs of aging in the face such as loose skin, deep creases along the nose and mouth, sagging in the midface and loss of skin and muscle tone in the lower face, often referred to as jowls. The final result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself. A facelift procedure can only be performed surgically; non-surgical facelift treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which facelift surgery becomes appropriate.
Facelift surgery is performed under a general anesthesia and takes about 2 hours. The placement of incisions depends on each patient's individual needs. A traditional facelift incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, continues around the front of the ear and ends in the lower scalp behind the ear. Once healed, the scars from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and natural contours of the face. Fat may be sculpted, underlying tissue is repositioned, the deeper layers of the face and muscles are also lifted. The skin is then re-draped over the uplifted contours and the excess skin is removed.
Following surgery, a bandage, or dressing, is place around your face, not covering the face, to minimize swelling and bruising. This dressing is removed the following day in the surgeon's office. At this point, no further dressings are required. It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to a full year for scars to blend and fade. You should plan on taking one to two weeks off from work to recover and avoid any strenuous lifting or exercise for about four weeks following facelift surgery.
For additional information about facelift surgery, including the benefits and risks involved with cosmetic profile enhancements, please contact us to schedule a consultation.