Frequently Asked Questions Face Lift

What is the basic procedure for face lift?
Facelift surgery has been around for about 90 years. A true revolution in facelift surgery began in the 1970’s when the surgical anatomy was better understood. Initial lifts consisted of skin tightening and excision only. Through the years, tightening or excising part of the SMAS (Superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) became popularized by many plastic surgeons in one variation or another. Surgeries became more complex with subperiosteal lifts, deep plane lifts, etc., but the healing times took longer times and the potential risks and complications are higher with these procedures as well. Now, there’s a departure from the more invasive techniques to less surgery, shorter scars, more fat grafts. We also see patients coming in at a younger age requesting facial rejuvenation. People have busy lives and can’t afford to have a long recovery time.

Can I expect permanent results from a face lift?
You probably are familiar with the saying: There are two things permanent in life – death and taxes. A face lift or a facial rejuvenation procedure “sets the clock back”. You will always look better than your chronological age, but we can’t stop the aging process yet.

Is there a common technique for face lift procedures?
Yes and no. Most procedures involve some skin excision and manipulation of the underlying soft tissues either by tightening, excising, placating, volumizing, fat grafting, etc. No two faces are the same; no one procedure will do justice to everyone.

Who is a good candidate for a face lift surgery?
We all age at different rates due to intrinsic factors (genetic makeup) and extrinsic factors, such as sun exposure, smoking, weight fluctuations, lack of sleep, etc. Years ago, patients used to come in and have the “100,000 mile tune-up”. This included a facelift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, possibly some laser treatment for wrinkles and so on. In the past few years we see a trend toward patients coming in at a younger age and requesting less invasive surgeries; more maintenance than tune-up. You need to discuss your wishes or goals with your board certified plastic surgeon to see what gives you the best results, a more youthful and harmonious face.

Will face lift surgery eliminate all of my facial wrinkles?
No. Face lift surgery will improve saggy skin and will make deep wrinkles less obvious. Often, I do perioral laser surgery with my older facelift patients to erase the lipstick bleed lines, also known as smokers’ lines. I have patients 10 years out from their laser treatment and still look better and have fewer and less deep wrinkles than before their surgery. After surgery, I place my patients on a medical grade skin care regimen to protect the improvement from surgery and slow down skin aging.

Will it be obvious that I had a face lift?
This is a fear of most patients who consider facial surgery. They are concerned that they might look different and others including their dog might not recognize them. A face lift is “obvious” when one presents with loose skin on the face, neck, eyelids and brows. When the tissues are repositioned to where they used to be, than there’s an obvious change for the better. A face lift could be obvious in a negative way as well. The scars could show due to poor technique, tissues are not repositioned appropriately, too much fat removed from around the eyes, etc. These are some of the reasons that you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your desires and what is surgically possible. It is important to get good information to help you decide what is best for you. Most surgeons have morphing software and can show you what you can expect from surgery.

What types of face lift surgery are available?
Traditional face lift is a surgical procedure. Now, you often here about a “liquid face lift”, a “lifestyle lift”, a “thread lift”, a “lunch time lift”, a “silhouette lift”, an “S lift” and the list goes on. No wonder that the public gets confused. Most of the above listed procedures are a variation of a barbed suture suspension like a marionette. The liquid lift is achieved with injectables such as: Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra. Although all these can give some degree of improvement in the appropriately selected patient, there are no long term studies about their effectiveness and longevity. Traditional facelift surgery does take longer to recover, but the results are more predictable and longer lasting. I listed most of the procedures in question #1.