Facelift

A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to reduce the signs of aging caused by:

• Sagging facial skin
• Deepening folds in the skin between the nose and mouth
• Facial fat that has fallen or disappeared
• Development of jowls around the cheekbones and jawline
• Loose skin and excess fat under the chin and around the neck that produces a double chin effect

During the facelift, your doctor surgically lifts the skin of your face, pulling it upward for a tighter, younger appearance.

Facelifts are recommended if you want more dramatic lifting and tightening results than you can get from noninvasive procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, or radiofrequency therapies. To determine if you’re a candidate for a facelift, your doctor evaluates:

• Your overall health
• Your expectations of the procedure
• Your bone structure
• The amount of sagging skin you have
• Other procedures you’ve tried and the results you’ve gotten

Facelifts aren’t recommended for people who smoke or individuals with health conditions that slow down the healing process, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

There are different types of facelifts that your doctor can perform, including mini-lifts, standard facelifts, and deep plane facelifts. Your doctor discusses these options with you during your consultation to determine which procedure best meets your needs.

During your surgery, your doctor uses anesthesia so you’re asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure. Your doctor makes incisions at strategic points, typically behind your ears or near your hairline, and gently pulls the skin of your face upward.

Your doctor might remove excess skin or fat that creates a jowling appearance. Once the procedure is completed, your doctor uses stitches or surgical glue to close the incisions and wraps the incisions in protective coverings to avoid infection.

Your doctor provides you with aftercare instructions to ease your recovery and can prescribe pain medications to reduce your discomfort. Soreness and swelling are normal after surgery, but you can apply ice packs to reduce the swelling.

At your follow-up visit, your doctor removes any remaining stitches and evaluates your healing process. After a few weeks, you’ll notice a difference in your appearance as your swelling decreases.