For a more youthful chin and neck contour
Improving Your Lower Face and Neck
Various techniques are available to improve the area from just below the lower eyelids all the way down to your neck. Depending on your surgeon’s evaluation and advice, a facelift may include treatment of any of these areas. One common way of defining specific facelift procedures is:
Midface lift – A procedure usually done through a lower eyelid incision (or less commonly through a scalp incision or incision in front of the ear) that repositions the tissue in your upper cheek to a more youthful position.
Facelift – A procedure usually done through an incision in front, or behind the ear, or more commonly in front and behind the ear, that allows for repositioning of deeper facial structures and the removal of your extra skin.
Neck lift – A procedure typically done through an incision under the chin that removes excess fatty tissue and tightens the loose muscles in your neck.
Each of these procedures may be done alone or in combination, depending on the specific problems that you need treated.
In younger patients with good skin tone and fatty tissue deposits in the neck, a neck liposuction procedure may offer a significant improvement.
What are the specific areas of the face that can be improved with a facelift?
- Deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging of your cheeks.
- Deep lines, or creases, from the corner of the nose to the corner of your mouth.
- Jowls which result in the absence of a well-defined jawline.
- Loose skin, vertical bands and excess fatty tissue in your neck.
What areas will a facelift NOT improve for you?
- Fine skin wrinkles.
- Wrinkles and lines around your eyes.
- Lines around your lips.
Variations in Facelift Procedures
- One common cause of confusion about facelifts are the differently named facelift procedures (SMAS lift, MACS lift, short scar facelift, S-lift, lifestyle lift, weekend facelift, thread lift, etc).
- While some are legitimate terms used to describe variations in surgical technique, others are simply marketing ploys used to promote a specific surgeon’s practice.
- The choice of a facelift technique depends on your specific areas of desired improvement, your degree of facial aging and the desired recovery period.
- Techniques that promise fast recovery with minimal incisions tend not to have long lasting results but may be good options for younger patients or those who need to be able to present themselves to the public in a short period of time.
Combining Your Facelift with Other Facial Procedures
Since aging of the face occurs at different degrees in some people, it is possible that only specific areas of your face may need to be treated in order to improve your overall facial appearance.
More commonly, and especially in older people, the entire face may show characteristics of aging. In such cases, improving the appearance of one area without addressing other aging areas may result in a lack of harmony in overall facial appearance.
- For example, correcting sagging cheeks, jowls, and loose neck skin but not treating tired-looking eyes and a droopy brow may result in an “unbalanced” face.
- It is important to discuss the overall plan for rejuvenating your face with your surgeon.
- Although less commonly done as procedures to improve facial aging, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) and use of chin implants (chin augmentation) may also be combined with a facelift to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Your Recovery After a Facelift Procedure
In most cases, two to three weeks are needed to recover from your facelift, but this depends on the extent of the procedure and your individual healing.
- It is not uncommon for bruising and swelling to last for three to four weeks, but most people can be presentable in public during this time with the help of cover makeup.
- If removal sutures are used, they are removed four to seven days after your surgery.
Could this procedure be right for you?
- If you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of your face and neck.
- If you have the appearance of jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of your mouth.
- If you have developed facial and neck wrinkles.
- If you believe you lack youthful chin and neck contours.
- If you think you have a tired facial appearance.
Intended Results
- A more rested and youthful contour to your face and neck.
Procedure Description
- Facelifts can range in size from "mini" to "standard" depending on location and extent of skin laxity.
- The operation is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia.
- Incisions are made within the hairline (or along the hair margin) above the ear, extending down around the lobe and ending in or below the hairline behind your ear.
- The deeper tissue layers and neck muscles are tightened, your facial skin is redraped and lifted and the excess skin is removed.
Recuperation and Healing
- You will go home with your head and neck wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day.
- Minimal initial discomfort is easily controlled with pill medication.
- Sutures are removed within five to seven days. Your bruising and swelling decrease to "socially acceptable" levels within one to three weeks.
- Your final result is evident in four to six weeks or sooner, with continued improvement for several months.
Other Options For Your Consideration
Additional procedures that may enhance your results are: Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift, Chemical Peel, Facial Sanding (dermabrasion), Chin Enlargement, Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty), Fat Suction, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Cheekbone Enhancement, Augmentation/Enhancement of Lips, Reduction of Earlobes.
Take Note of These Important Insurance Guidelines
This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore is not covered your insurance.