If the skin of your face has aged in a way that you’re unhappy with, you may have started to wonder if a face lift might be a good call for you. There are many cosmetic facial treatments, but most of them wear out over time. This procedure, however, can offer results that last you a decade or more. Our team at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT, is here with some information on this popular cosmetic procedure.
How Does a Face Lift Work?
A Combination of Fat Removal and Skin Tightening
Both age and gravity weaken skin over time. This weakening and loss of elasticity makes the skin sag, exaggerating wrinkles and “weighing down” the face. Lifting and tightening the skin of the face with a face lift corrects drooping skin and combats wrinkles, leading to smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
If your jowls have excess fat, this can be removed as well. When the extra weight from jowls is removed, it can actually help smooth over the creases around the corners of your mouth and the base of your nose.
A Treatment Plan To Fit Your Needs
Regardless of whether you opt for a mini or traditional lift, the unique anatomy of your face, your personal goals, and whether or not you’re pairing the procedure with another treatment will all play a role in how the surgery is carried out.
During a consultation, we can work together and come up with a treatment plan and timeline for you. That way you can know what to expect and when to expect it.
The Steps of Surgery
The First Step
General anesthesia is usually used during this surgery, but in some cases a combination of local anesthesia and sedation may be opted for instead.
The Second Step
After that, the skin will be carefully separated from the muscles and connective tissues underneath it. Then the deep facial tissues can be repositioned and the skin can be mindfully tightened as needed, without over-tightening.
The Final Step
Once your facial tissue has been rejuvenated, your skin will be carefully set and your treatment will be complete.
Different Types of Face Lifts
The Traditional
Moderate or advanced signs of aging can be greatly improved with the traditional procedure. It can correct concerns all throughout the face, and even can improve the appearance of your neck. The traditional option offers dramatic results that you can enjoy for many years.
The incisions are usually located near the temples and hidden in the natural folds by your ears. Through artful technique, these incisions will be camouflaged by your hairline and the natural contours of your face. Deep tissues under your skin can be repositioned during this procedure, and excess skin can be eliminated altogether.
The Mini-Lift
In cases where facial sagging or jowling is more mild, a mini-lift could be a good call for you. This lift may not be as dramatic when it comes to results, but it can be a perfect solution for patients who want improvements but prefer shorter incisions. Mini-lift incisions are usually located either in the creases surrounding your ears, along the hairline above your ears, or both.
These incisions can be used to tighten and lift the structural tissues of your cheeks. If you find yourself looking tired even when you’re not, this is a great solution since it tends to lighten the face. It can also gently refine your jawline and correct jowling. By opting for a mini lift while the signs of aging are still mild, you can postpone the need for a traditional procedure for years to come.
Skin-Only Lift
This may also be called the cutaneous method. It focuses on the skin of the face, but leaves fat tissues and muscles alone. Even without adjusting underlying tissues, the skin can still be tightened, and extra skin can be removed. This alone can improve the jawline’s profile by lifting sagging jowls. It also has a lifting effect on your cheeks.
If you have a good distribution of fat and muscle tone, but are struggling with reduced skin elasticity, this option may be a good fit for your needs.
Revision Surgery
If you’ve previously had a face lift and either want to refresh the look or get more dramatic results, a revision can help give your face the “boost” you’re looking for.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
A person of any gender can enjoy the benefits of this surgery, and it’s a great option for a wide age range.
Most people who seek out this treatment are between 40 to 60 years old. If you fall outside that margin and still want this treatment, we can go over your options with you during a consultation. Chances are this may still be a good fit for you. Even if it’s not, we can go over the range of other treatments we provide so we can still help you achieve your goals.
Benefits of This Procedure
You Can Pair It With Other Treatments
Both full and mini lifts are extremely popular, but they don’t have to stand alone. During a consultation, we can work through your goals together and come up with a customized plan for you. We offer multiple facial treatments that may help improve or extend the effects of your treatment.
It’s a Great Option for Patients Who’ve Had Significant Weight Loss
Patients who have lost a lot of weight through bariatric surgery can be particularly good candidates for this surgery. While skin is pretty adaptable, sometimes major weight loss can lead to loose skin, which may cause premature signs of aging. This treatment can help you reclaim your face and enjoy the results of your weight loss to the fullest.
You’ll Still Look Like You, Just Younger
Sometimes when people think of this treatment they imagine unnaturally tight-looking, plastic results. The goal of this treatment isn’t to sculpt you a new face, but rather to take your face back in time. Results should look natural and compliment your facial structure, all while providing dramatic results.
FAQ
1. How Do I Protect My Results?
Results Are Permanent, but Won’t Stop Aging
For the rest of your life after this procedure, your skin should continue to look years younger than it would have looked otherwise.
This procedure “sets back the clock” on your face, but it’s important to remember that this doesn’t stop the natural aging process. While there’s no way to stop your results from naturally aging with you, there are some things you can do to get the most out of your results for as long as possible.
Keep Healthy
Maintaining a weight that’s stable and healthy is one way to keep your results at their best. Major weight fluctuations can make skin stretch and prematurely age your skin.
Hydration may sound like a simple tip, but it’s an important one to mention. When you’re properly hydrated it helps give your skin a healthy glow.
Focus on Skin Care
Another way to take good care of your skin is by pampering it! Healthy skin is happy skin, so we recommend protecting it from the sun and investing time into your skin care regimen.
With a skilled surgeon and proper aftercare, you should be able to enjoy your results for the long run.
2. How Do I Get Ready?
Prepare Your Medical History
You may be asked questions about your medical history or any past or present medical conditions. Being prepared with information on your medical history will help everyone be on the same page, and will help us keep you safe.
Medication Information
We may ask what prescription medication you’re taking, but something patients don’t realize is they should also be aware of any daily vitamins or herbal supplements they’re taking as well. Having a thorough list is important, as we can then tell you if there’s anything you need to pause taking for a bit before the surgery.
Expect a Facial Exam
A facial exam is an important step before we can move on to the surgery. This procedure has been perfected over many years, but it is also in some ways an art form. For results catered to your face and needs, we’ll need to have a good understanding of your face shape and skin quality, as well as your facial fat distribution and bone structure.
Some pictures of your face may be taken during the facial exam as well. All of this will help us give you natural-looking results that fit you and your face.
Let Us Know Your Expectations
It’s good to really nail down your expectations, and communication is an important part of that. We want you to be thrilled with your results, so make sure you tell us exactly what you hope for. Our team can let you know what is and isn’t possible to achieve with this procedure, and what we can do to help you accomplish your desires.
3. How Many Concerns Can This Treatment Target at Once?
A multitude of benefits in one is why this has been the go-to solution for patients who want to rejuvenate their face. Skin that has prematurely aged due to stress, sun damage, or smoking can benefit from this treatment. It can help you look as young as you feel inside.
Sagging Skin
One of the big contributors of sagging skin is the reduction of collagen and elastin. This usually starts to happen sometime in our mid-twenties. When our collagen production can’t keep up anymore, the skin begins to lose the strength, texture, and elasticity associated with youth.
When topical treatments are no longer cutting it, this procedure can tighten up that loose skin.
Deep Wrinkles and Fold Lines
A lack of collagen also contributes to wrinkles. When skin loosens, it can exaggerate and deepen the lines of your face. Dermal fillers can be helpful, but if you want a more permanent solution a face lift is especially helpful in managing marionette lines and other deep wrinkles around the nose and mouth.
Jowls
Jowls are often one of the primary things a patient wants to address. When the jawline is firmed up, it helps create a smoother, slimmer profile for a lighter, more youthful lower face and smile.
Double Chin
Some patients aren’t aware that this procedure can actually reduce or eliminate double-chins. A double-chin is caused by excess fat or extra skin accumulating around your neck. The extra weight under your face may contribute to pulling down your skin to form jowls and wrinkles as you age. Removing this excess fat can help patients be happier with their profile and lighten their faces all at once.
Learn More During a Consultation
Our team is dedicated to making our patients feel and look their best, and we offer many different treatments to achieve that goal. Regardless of your age or gender, if you want to increase your confidence and address your facial concerns, reach out to us at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT, today to set up your consultation.
