What is the basic procedure of Facelift?

There are different methods of surgery depending on the incision and depth of lift of facial structures. I do both the mini facelift and the full facelift. The mini facelift is done in the office and lasts about 1 hour. It is ideal for busy individuals who do not have a lot of time for recovery and do not have significant fat or skin excess at their necks. The bruising is minimum and generally can be covered with some makeup even with a day of surgery. The full facelift will address the skin and fatty excess of the face and neck. In addition to the skin layer, the deeper SMAS (or fascia/fatty layer) layer is also lifted and tightened. The excess skin is removed and the incision closed. It is generally expected to last about 8-10 years.

What is a facelift?

Simply speaking, a facelift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenate the face. The areas of the face improved with facelift are typically the creases extending from the side of the nose toward the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds), the folds going downward from the corners of the mouth (Marionette's lines), the jowls, and the fat/extra skin of the neck. The incisions are generally from the areas above the ear, around the ear lobes and into the back side of the ears. There are some variations of the extent of incision and the depth of dissection in facelift procedures and the results may be different.

What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?

While resurfacing procedures such as laser and chemical peel will help some patients, facelift is more helpful in situations where there is more skin and fatty excess. Facelift results are typically more longer lasting than resurfacing procedures. It is also much likely to cause skin pigmentation change.

Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?

Hematoma (bleeding under skin) and facial nerve injury are uncommon, but are more serious complications. Delayed skin healing and scar visibility can also happen.

What are the objectives of facelift?

To achieve satisfactory skin and deep tissue tightening in a natural manner so that the face looks younger, not simply tighter.