What are the objectives of facelift?

The objectives of a facelift should be tailored to the overall objectives of the patient. In other words, the facelift performed should serve the goals of the individual patient. Customization is the ultimate goal. In general it is to produce a more youthful appearance although this is achieved through changes in anatomy such as smoothing the skin, redistributing fat, and lifting sagging skin.

Are there significant risks associated with facelift surgery?

Yes, there are a number of risks associated with lifting and repositioning the soft tissues of the face and neck. The more major risks include nerve damage, loss of skin, poor scars, asymmetry, and post-op hematomas. Even without these surgical complications the risk of patient dissatisfaction is also possible.

What are the benefits of a facelift procedure?

A facelift procedure will tend to smooth out contour irregularities of the face and neck with the goal of presenting a more youthful appearance. However, doing the wrong type of facelift, relying too much on pulling or tension, and applying the facelift procedure indiscriminately can make a person look different or strange or even more aged than intended.

What is a facelift?

Although a facelift refers to the repositioning of skin on the face and neck to smooth out excess skin causing folds and wrinkles, it is, in some ways, an out-dated and inadequate term. Modern methods of rejuvenation of the face incorporate many more elements than just skin tightening. There are also many variation of facelifts so that saying that one is having or doing a facelift doesn't really describe the operation, nor the results, sufficiently.

What is the basic procedure of Facelift?

While each facelift should be customized to each individual anatomy and goals, the basic elements are incision under the chin and around the ear, separation of the soft tissues from the underlying muscles, reposition or tightening the muscles, lifting and repositioning the skin and then excising the extra skin from behind around the ears.