Many people would like to reverse the visible signs of aging, specifically in the face and neck. With the help of a facelift, also called rhytidectomy, the facial tissues can now be lifted and tightened, including removing excess skin and smoothing out folds or wrinkles. In fact, facelift has risen in popularity over the last decade as a procedure that makes subtle changes to enhance a person’s look and confidence.
What Are The Types Of Facelifts?
There are several types of facelift surgeries, and it is important to talk to a surgeon about what works best. Below are the types of facelifts, which include:
- Mini facelift. This modified version of the facelift targets loose skin around the neck and jawline.
- Mid-facelift. It is also known as a cheek lift that helps rectify sagging skin from the eyes to the upper mouth, including the nose and cheeks.
- Non-surgical facelift. This non-invasive facelift procedure doesn’t require large incisions or general anesthesia, but signs of aging, including sagging skin, creases, and wrinkles, are still the target. In addition, vampire facelifts, liquid facelifts, and thread lifts are non-surgical procedures targeting the skin on the face.
What Can Facelift Do?
Below are some of the age-related signs that facelift can correct, which include:
- The sagging appearance of the face and cheeks that is due to the skin’s relaxation.
- The deep crease lines (or fold) extend from the nose to the angle of the mouth.
- Jowls, which are excess or drooping skin at cheeks or lower jawline.
- The low (or disappeared) fat content.
- The sagging skin and extra fat in the neck that makes the double chin appearance (the procedure should include a neck lift).
Keep in mind that a facelift is a cosmetic, restorative surgery but can’t stop the aging process or change the whole appearance of the face.
What To Prepare Before A Facelift Surgery?
In preparation for facelift surgery, the surgeon may ask the patient to:
- Avoid certain foods or beverages.
- Apply certain products to the skin on the face.
- Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid increased bleeding.
- Get a blood test or a medical evaluation.
- Take certain medications or adjust the current medications.
- Stop smoking.
- Stop using recreational drugs.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to follow the surgeon’s instructions before the surgery. In that case, following their guidelines will help the surgery go more smoothly and help heal properly.
What To Expect From the Facelift (Rhytidectomy) Procedure?
Rhytidectomy involves a series of steps:
- Anesthesia
Medication is administered to maintain comfort throughout the procedure. Generally, the patient has the choice of intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. The doctor will suggest the best option possible.
- Incision
Depending on the expected outcome, the patient can have the option of a traditional facelift, limited incision facelift, or neck lift. The patient can work with the doctor to set expectations and recommend based on the desired outcome. When the incision(s) is done, the surgeon will make necessary changes to the facial composition to achieve the desired results.
- Closing Incision
After the procedure is complete, the incision(s) will be closed. Some sutures may dissolve on their own, or some must be moved a few days after the procedure. In addition, some surgeons may also use glue to close the incision site.
Once healed, the incision lines will be concealed within the hairline and the face’s natural contours.
- See Results
The treatment results will be visible once swelling and bruising disappear after the procedure. That said, the patient will see a more youthful and rested appearance.
Who Are Good Candidates For Facelift?
In general, suitable candidates for facelift surgery must be in the following conditions:
- Don’t smoke.
- Mentally healthy with realistic expectations for facelift results.
- Physically healthy with no medical condition that affects the body’s ability to heal.
Moreover, the best candidates for facelift surgery are patients with signs of facial aging but still have some skin elasticity. Typically, this includes patients in their 40s to 60s, although people who are younger or older than that range can sometimes be candidates for surgery.
What Are The Possible Risks Of This Procedure?
With any surgical treatment, rhytidectomy is no different in terms of risks. However, the risks of the treatment are dramatically reduced by working with a qualified professional. Nonetheless, below are some of the problems that may occur, including:
- Bleeding at the incision site or under the skin
- Infection
- Hair loss, also known as alopecia
- Loss of tissue
- Nerve damage to the face muscles, may also cause paralysis or spasm in the face.
- Numbness in any facial region lasts up to 6 months or a year.
- Pulmonary embolism or blood clots in the large veins leading to the heart and lungs, although uncommon but still possible.
- Reactions to the anesthesia used.
- Scarring
What Is The Recovery Period?
All facelifts have some recovery time, and there will be post-operative pain and swelling for at least two weeks. In fact, the downtime can take four weeks for a patient to return to normal activities. In this case, patients should limit movements and get as much help as possible during recovery.
For patients to see the results, it will need several more weeks after the 4-week recovery period. In fact, facelifts provide fantastic results, with a 97% satisfaction rate after one year, while statistics show that it helps patients look up to 12 years younger. Given that the right cosmetic surgeon does it, rhytidectomies are an excellent way to look and feel fantastic.
Additionally, the following can help extend the results of the facelift:
- Moisturize the face daily.
- Protect the skin from the sun.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Eat a nutritionally dense, balanced diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Talk with the surgeon if any concerns arise.
The Bottom Line
With age, each person can experience natural age-related changes in facial appearance. MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center offers a Mini Facelift. This procedure helps improve the aging signs, such as sagging, creases, loose skin, and reduced or misplaced fat deposits. At MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center, they have the experience, skill, and advanced technology to address cosmetic or dermatologic concerns.
