As people age, effects of gravity, the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jaw line grows slack and jowly, folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. Other areas of the face may lose the fullness and volume that is characteristic of a youthful face.
A face and neck lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to address these signs of aging in the face and neck. This procedure tightens and smooths sagging skin, reduces wrinkles, and improves the overall contour of the jawline and neck. The goal is to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance by lifting and repositioning the underlying tissues. The face and neck lift can target various aging issues such as deep creases around the mouth and nose, jowls, and loose neck skin. The results are typically long-lasting, enhancing the patient’s self-confidence and aesthetic appeal.
A facelift is intended to give the patient a more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck. Facelifts can range from “mini” to “standard” depending on location and extent of skin laxity.
Benefits of a Face and Neck Lift
A face and neck lift offers numerous benefits, including a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. The procedure effectively reduces sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and jowls, leading to a smoother and firmer facial contour. Patients often experience an improved jawline and neck profile, which enhances overall facial harmony. The results can be long-lasting, significantly boosting self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, a face and neck lift can create a more rested and vibrant look, reducing the visible effects of aging and enhancing one’s overall quality of life.
How a Face and Neck Lift Is Done
The operation is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes incisions along the hairline, extending around the ears and possibly under the chin. Through these incisions, the skin is lifted, and fat in the face and neck may be moved, sculpted, or removed. The deeper supporting structures (SMAS, platysma muscle) are tightened which takes tension off of the skin closure, and provides a longer-lasting, more natural result. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the remaining skin is redraped for a smoother contour. After the adjustments are made, the incisions are closed with sutures. The procedure usually takes several hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Who a Face and Neck Lift Is For
You may be a candidate for a facelift if you have experienced a loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck. A facelift may also be desired if you have the appearance of jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth, and have developed facial and neck wrinkles. A facelift may also be helpful if you believe you lack youthful chin and neck contours and/or feel you have a tired facial appearance.
Here are some important things to consider about suitable candidates for a facelift:
- A woman or a man whose face and neck have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity may be a good candidate.
- Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.
- A facelift can make you look younger and fresher. It may enhance your self-confidence.
Surgical Process
Your surgeon will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone structure, and discuss your goals for the surgery. He will check for medical problems such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. You will be asked to stop smoking for four weeks before and after the surgery as it inhibits blood flow to skin and healing process. You will be asked to stop taking aspirin or aspirin-like medications (NSAIDs) as they affect clotting. If your hair is short, you can let it grow long before surgery, so that it is long enough to hide the scars while they heal.
Facelifts usually take several hours. There are many different techniques. The incisions are started above the hairline at the temples, extend in the natural line in front of the ear, and continue behind the ear lobe to the lower scalp. A small incision is sometimes made under the chin, if the neck needs work. Your surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat is either trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. Then the underlying tissues are tightened and the skin is redraped. The excess skin is removed. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Metal clips may be used in the scalp beyond your hairline. After the surgery, a thin drainage tube is placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood or fluid that might collect there. The head is wrapped in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.
If there is any discomfort following surgery, it can be minimized with pain medication. Numbness of the skin is normal and will disappear over time. To keep the swelling down, your head should be kept elevated and still for a couple of days. Drainage tubes and bandages will be removed after one to five days. Your face may appear bruised and puffy, but in a few weeks you will look normal. Stitches will be removed after five to seven days. The scalp will take longer to heal. Patients are back to work at about 10-14 days after surgery. By the third week you will look and feel much better.
Q: What does the recovery period involve?
A: Postoperative care involves managing swelling and discomfort, following specific activity restrictions, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing.
- Take it easy for the first week after surgery as your skin will be tender and numb.
- Be gentle with your face and hair.
- Avoid strenuous activity including sex and heavy housework for two weeks.
- Avoid alcohol, steam baths and saunas for a couple months.
- Get plenty of rest, and let the body heal.
Q: Are there risks involved?
A: When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, the complications and risks involved are minimized. By following your doctors advice closely you can reduce your risks. Risks include: hematoma, a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon; injury to the nerves that control facial muscles and sensation, which are usually temporary; infection; and reactions to anesthesia. Smokers are usually affected by poor healing and have increased complication rates.
Q: What can I expect going forward?
A: One should know that the face lift can’t stop the aging process. It can only “set back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles and re draping the skin of your face and neck. Patients can often benefit from the addition of volume to the face in the form of fat that is suctioned from another part of the body.
Even after the swelling and bruises are gone the hair around your temples may be thin, your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. The scars are hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. They will fade with time and will be scarcely visible.
Q: Can I combine a face or neck lift with other treatments?
A: A facelift can also be done along with other procedures such as forehead lift, eyelid surgery or nose reshaping.
DISCLAIMER: Before and after results are NOT a guarantee that your results will be the same or similar. Each patient’s results will be different. Your results will vary from other patient’s results.