As we age, it’s our faces that reveal most signs of ageing, which is an area of body that we also most expose. With age, the elasticity and volume of our skin gradually decreases. Along with gravity, this leads our faces to draw further downwards and closer to the bone, usually leaving us with unwelcome sagginess, folds and lines. To help reverse such effects, however, several surgical facelift options are available, delivering outstanding, rejuvenating results. Facelift procedures actually represent the most refined, and advanced of available youth restoration procedures, allowing highly impressive, substantial improvements to be achieved.
A facelift, or rhytidoplasty, is the most appropriate, comprehensive answer to the natural ageing process, and tissue laxity that comes with it. Softening our facial features, the treatment restores a more youthful, fresher look, and delivers a tighter, ‘lifted’ appearance.
With a facelift procedure, major facial wrinkles and folds can be resolved, jowls can be removed and excessive, loose sagging skin can be reduced. Additionally, soft tissue loss in the cheeks can be addressed, and the fallen corners of our mouths, giving a sad, weary look, can be raised. And how exactly does it work? In the treatment, an incision is made, tissue and skin is ‘lifted’ and repositioned, and any surplus is subsequently discarded. To close the incisions, absorbable stitches may be used.
There are several variations of the surgical facelift available, in regards to the technique used, and areas targeted. In the past few decades, techniques used in facelift procedures have significantly evolved, and there is still substantial variety of preference amongst surgeons, as to the methods used, and this partly reflects on where scars are located.
Regarding areas targeted, common facelift options which target all major areas include the Full Facelift, Mid-Face Lift, Mini Facelift, Forehead and Brow Lift, and Facelift and Blepharoplasty combined procedure, all of which are offered at The Private Clinic. Please see what can be achieved with each facelift procedure, and what incision lines and scarring you can expect:
Full Facelift: Delivering a drastic improvement to your whole of your face, the treatment can improve surplus skin in your jowls region, the lines between your mouth and nose, and low or heavy brows, for example. Sagging below the jaw also can be resolved with an additional incision below your chin. Incision lines are however usually made in the temple and run across your hairline and behind your ears.
Mid-Face Lift (Malar Lift) – This facelift option lifts sagging cheeks, restores the lower eyelid area and is able to resolve deep nasal folds. Incisions for this procedure often are hidden within the hair.
Mini Facelift: Focusing on improving the jowls and neck, this option is best for those with moderate skin laxity and experiencing some jowls. Incisions are much shorter, and run from your temples to the crease that lies in front of your ear.
Forehead and Brow Lift (Browplasty): Lifting the forehead, correcting deep lines and elevating your brows, a browplasty enhances the overall appearance of your face. Incisions depend on the individual patient, although in some cases, are above the brow, or within the hair on the scalp.
Facelift and Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): This is a combination procedure improving both the eyelids and face overall. In addition to the facelift incision lines, incisions for the blepharoplasty procedure are along the lower eyelid, or upper eyelid, or both.
Although facelift procedures leave some scarring, expert surgeons will carefully ensure incisions are planned to be inconspicuous and concealed well. Additionally, most scars are hidden by the hairline. Scars will also fade with good care, and eventually become flat, and nearly unnoticeable.
You can also combine facelifts with non-surgical treatments to optimise results, for example, lipostructure (fat grating), which can be performed at the same time, and other ancillary treatments, such as Botox, laser resurfacing and dermal fillers.
Each facelift option discussed should last between 1-3 hours, with the more extensive options taking longer. Many require local anaesthesia, but general anaesthesia is needed for the majority of full facelift patients. An overnight hospital stay could also be required, depending on the procedure.
The Private Clinic recommend having 2 weeks off work, although, this is dependent on your type of profession, and the facelift option chosen. At your consultation, your surgeon should advise what is best in your case.
Regarding expected side effects and recovery post procedure, the affected area will be swollen at the start. It may also feel slightly numb around your incisions, along with some bruising. In the second week, any pain and swelling should have settled down significantly. For patients who do not have absorbable stitches, these can be discarded at 7 days post procedure, or sometimes, after 2 weeks, depending on the individual patient. By 2-4 weeks, bruising should have cleared, the feeling of ‘tight skin’ should have lessened, and pain should also be minimal at this point. After one month, your swelling should now have reduced by 90%. At this stage, the affected area may still feel numb to some degree and this could continue to approximately 4-6 months post-procedure.
For the combined Facelift and Blepharoplasty treatment, the above is true. However, with the blepharoplasty procedure, stitches should be discarded approximately 4-5 days post-treatment, and it could take a few months for your eyelids to settle completely.
Your surgical team should give you more detailed advice and information regarding the post-treatment stage, and answer any queries you have.
How long can I expect results to last?
Results from all of the discussed facelift options, including the combined blepharoplasty and facelift procedure, can last for up to several years. A good skincare routine and lifestyle can prolong its effects.
The Private Clinic offer highly skilled, top plastic surgeons for their facelift surgery procedures, achieving outstanding, tailored results for each patient. With patient care being their priority, the cosmetic group provide all patients service and care of only the highest standard, before, during, and also long after the procedure.
To arrange a facelift consultation with The Private Clinic you can do so by calling 03339209135 or via their website. Surgical facelift surgeon consultations and procedures are available at their clinics in Harley Street London, Birmingham, Bristol, Northampton, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.
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