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The facelift has long been the gold standard in facial rejuvenation, and with good reason. It comes with many different benefits and can produce truly transformative results. If you’re considering the best facial cosmetic surgery options, then it’s important to know what a facelift surgery can offer with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Here are some things to know about the facelift and how it can achieve your rejuvenation goals.
Introduction to Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address some of the most common signs of aging on the face. Over time, facial aging can lead to sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and a loss of youthful facial contours. Facelift surgery works by tightening both the skin and the underlying tissues, known as facial tissues, to restore a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Modern facelift techniques, such as the deep plane facelift, go beyond the surface to reposition deeper tissues and provide longer-lasting, natural-looking results. Whether you are concerned about deep wrinkles, loose skin, or the overall effects of facial aging, a facelift can be a highly effective option to improve your fundamental appearance. This cosmetic procedure is often chosen by individuals seeking facial rejuvenation surgery to address visible signs of aging and achieve a more youthful look.
What are the Benefits of a Facelift?
There are many different benefits to the facelift, and it can address a few lesser-known concerns outside of simple signs of aging.
Tighten the Neck
Facelifts can target both the face and neck regions to address aging signs, helping to restore youthful contours and improve overall appearance. Your neck is one of the first and most prominent signs of aging. Neck lift surgery can remove excess skin and excess fat from around your neck and reducing the appearance of a double chin. For more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck, neck surgery can be performed alongside a facelift by a specialized facial plastic surgeon. Some facelift procedures will remove and lift the skin on your neck so that your neck matches the anti-aging results of your facelift.
Lift Saggy Jowls
Another key sign of age is sagging jowls. Loss of skin elasticity is a major contributor to this issue and is an important factor in determining candidacy for a facelift. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and volume, causing facial fat to fall forward on the face. A facelift can smooth and define the lower face for youthful contours around the mouth and jawline.
Reduce Deep Wrinkles
A facelift can reduce deep wrinkles and lines around your eyes, mouth, jaw, and forehead. This is achieved by removing loose skin that doesn’t otherwise respond to lesser treatments, and then carefully redraping the remaining skin over the face to achieve a smooth, youthful appearance. The result is smooth, youthful skin with a natural look.
How is a Facelift Performed?
A detailed consultation with a qualified surgeon is essential to determine whether a facelift, or a less invasive alternative such as a nonsurgical facelift with dermal fillers is best suited to your needs. During this evaluation, the surgeon will assess your facial anatomy, facial structure, and skin quality to tailor the surgical technique and predict the longevity of your results. Candidates for a facelift should be in good overall health, be non-smokers, and have significant signs of aging such as jowls, neck laxity, or deep creases. Ideal candidates have noticeable sagging but still possess some skin elasticity, and significant weight loss after surgery can affect the results.
Several facelift techniques focus on the lower two-thirds of the face, targeting the cheeks, jawline, and neck. This will depend greatly on the type of facelift you receive, as well as what you need to achieve the results you want. There are several types of facelift plastic surgery options, including an endoscopic mid-facelift, which targets the middle portion of the face (particularly the cheeks and the area around the nose and mouth), a traditional facelift – also known as the SMAS facelift – which addresses moderate to advanced aging around the mid-face and neck by lifting the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), and an extended SMAS facelift, which involves making an incision in the SMAS and elevating deeper tissues for a higher and tighter position. A deep plane facelift repositions deeper tissues and structures of the face, including the facial muscles and underlying muscle, and is believed to provide longer-lasting results than the traditional SMAS method. A surgical facelift may be performed under general anesthesia for more extensive procedures, while local anesthesia with sedation may be suitable for less invasive facelifts.
Some of the factors you and your surgeon will consider are your desires, the areas you are most concerned with, and the severity of aging signs. It is important to choose a facial plastic surgeon with specialized training in surgeries of the face, head, and neck, and expertise in reconstructive surgery. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or as a cosmetic surgeon ensures your surgeon is specifically trained and experienced in cosmetic surgery, which is associated with higher satisfaction rates and fewer complications. During your consultation, review before and after photos to assess the surgeon’s aesthetic style and ensure you feel confident in your choice.
Many patients choose to combine facelift surgery with other cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, neck lift, facial implants, or facial fat grafting for comprehensive rejuvenation.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift is a procedure designed to address mild to moderate signs of aging, specifically targeting the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks, jawline, and neck. These facelift targets focus on tightening sagging skin and repositioning underlying tissues to restore natural facial contours without the need for extensive incisions or a long recovery period.
During the procedure, small incision sites are made around the natural creases of the ears, with scars typically concealed within the natural contours of the face to maintain a natural appearance. This allows your facial plastic surgeon to lift and smooth the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer and remove excess skin as needed. A mini facelift is ideal for individuals noticing early facial aging who want subtle, natural-looking results without the downtime of a traditional facelift.
Endoscopic Midface Lift
An endoscopic midface lift, sometimes called a cheek lift, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that specifically targets the middle portion of the face, particularly the cheeks and the area around the nose and mouth, including the central region such as the cheeks and lower eyelids. As we age, facial skin and soft tissues tend to descend, leading to hollow cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, and a tired appearance. An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can also be performed alongside a mid-facelift for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Composite and Deep Plane Facelift
A composite facelift is two procedures in one. It consists of an endoscopic midface lift and a lower face/neck lift. Facelift surgery results can vary significantly depending on individual factors such as skin quality, the extent of aging, and the specific surgical techniques used.
Does Insurance Cover Facelift Surgery?
When considering cosmetic surgery, it’s important to understand the financial aspects involved. Because facelift surgery is classified as a cosmetic procedure, insurance plans do not cover the cost. Many facial plastic surgery clinics offer financing options to help make facelift surgery more accessible. By having an open conversation with your plastic surgeon, you can gain a clear understanding of the investment involved and explore the best options for your facial rejuvenation journey.
What to do After a Facelift
Bandages and drainage tubes may be used after surgery to help minimize swelling and bruising. Bruising and swelling are normal after a facelift, typically peaking about 2 days after surgery and gradually improving over the next 10 to 14 days. The facelift recovery process is generally quick for most patients, with many returning to normal activities after about 2 weeks. Initial recovery usually lasts 1–2 weeks, but full results can take several months to a year. It is crucial to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to ensure proper healing after facelift surgery.
Your aftercare instructions will be modified according to your lifestyle and health needs, but there are a few general precautions you should take, such as:
- Avoiding the sun during your healing process because post-surgical skin is vulnerable to sunlight. Sun protection is crucial to prevent sun damage, darkening of scars, and pigmentation issues, as well as to minimize visible scarring.
- Do not use makeup
- Only use gentle, unscented cleansers and lotion
- Do not apply pressure to your face
- Avoid touching your face
- No smoking or vaping
- No working out (golf, tennis, pickleball)
Scars from facelift surgery are typically placed in inconspicuous locations and can fade significantly over time with proper care.
How Long Does a Facelift Last?
Like many non-surgical cosmetic procedures, a facelift does not stop the aging process, but it can significantly reset the clock, often providing noticeable improvement for 10 years or longer. Furthermore, you can ensure your facelift results last longer by cleaning and moisturizing your skin daily, wearing SPF regularly, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco. Skin quality and sun exposure are important factors that can affect how long facelift results last, so protecting your skin from the sun and maintaining good skin health are essential for prolonging the youthful effects of the procedure.
Schedule a Facelift Consultation Today
The best way to learn more about your facelift options is through a private consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. At our Naples office, Dr. Prysi can assess your goals and plan the right facelift procedure for you using his renowned facial rejuvenation techniques.
Our surgery center is a modern, well-equipped facility designed for patient comfort and safety, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care throughout your experience.
Surgeons in Florida often recommend scheduling facelift surgery during the winter months (December through March) to help reduce postoperative swelling.
To get started, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.
