As you get older, your skin and tissues naturally lose their elasticity. This leads to sagging and wrinkles. A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens these facial tissues.
What is a facelift (rhytidectomy)?
A facelift (also known as a rhytidectomy) is a general term for any surgical procedure that improves signs of aging in your face and/or neck by repositioning or removing skin, fat, and/or muscle. Signs of aging that a facelift can address include:
- Deep folds or crease lines between your nose and the corners of your mouth.
- Facial fat that has sagged or depleted.
- Drooping skin on your cheeks and/or jaw (known as jowls).
- Loose skin and excess fat in your neck that resembles a ‘double chin.’
Who is a candidate for facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery may be suitable for individuals who:
– There are wrinkles, rough skin and excess tissue on the face.
– Desire to rejuvenate the face and improve the overall appearance of the face.
– Desire to regain youth or have beautiful skin quickly.
It is important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if facelift surgery is appropriate for your specific health condition and individual goals.
Steps of a facelift procedure:
Step 1: Anesthesia: The surgeon will administer either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure your comfort during the procedure.
Step 2: Incision: The surgeon will create discreet incisions in the natural creases of the face, typically around the hairline, temples, and ears.
Step 3: Tissue repositioning: Through the incisions, the surgeon will lift the facial skin to redistribute or remove excess fatty tissue, tighten the weak muscles, and trim away loose skin
Step 4: Excess skin removal: Any excess skin will be carefully trimmed, and the remaining skin will be re-draped smoothly over the newly rejuvenated facial structure.
Step 5: Closing the incisions The incisions will be closed with sutures that may dissolve or need to be removed after a few days. Some surgeons use skin glue to seal the incisions. Once healed, the incision lines from a facelift are well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the face and ear.
What type of facelift is right for me?
There are many types of facelift surgeries, and each surgery is as unique as you are. Some target specific areas of your face, while others target most or all of the areas of your face. Dr.Tran can discuss all the facelift options with you, and together you can decide on a surgery that works for you and your goals.
If you have minimal skin looseness and just early signs of aging, you may opt for less invasive surgery, such as a mini-facelift. Other procedures can be paired with a facelift, such as eyelid surgery or a brow lift, to achieve a more complete rejuvenation.
Consider all of the dangers associated with facelift surgery. Make an appointment with Dr. Tran, a board-certified plastic surgeon, to discuss all of your desires, goals, and concerns. You and our doctor will decide which sort of surgery is best for you and your goals.
