Face Lift Procedure
Facial beauty and youthfulness has been meshed with human history as long as history can tell. The appreciation of facial beauty by humans has been the center of human civilizations all along. The aging face therefore, is a phenomenon that is not appreciate and all the effort are made to stop facial aging and even reverse it.
Types of Face Lift
Full face lift or traditional face lift involves an extensive incision extending behind the ear and into the neck region. It is reserved for severe drooping of facial skin and heavy neck with a large area of what is commonly called a "Turkey neck". Naturally the risks, recovery and the need for general anesthesia in most cases makes it an option for those candidates with the above description. The major component of this type of face lift is a significant part of the neck substructure and skin.
Short scar or modified face lift is less invasive requiring a smaller incision resulting in a smaller scar, less recovery and for the right patient, results as good as the traditional face lift. It could be done under mild sedation with no need for general anesthesia. It addresses the same problems of face and neck without extending incision into the back of the ear and into the neck thus, less risk and less recovery time. In some cases an independent under the chin small incision does address the neck issue and would tuck the neck even better than traditional face lift. These are the most popular and most valuable procedures for most patients of all ages provided they are in this category.
Only examination by a professional could determine which procedure is suitable for which patient. Each patient is different with different desires. Call our office to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Hajarian to decide what option is best for you.
Both surgical and no surgical techniques have been developed over the centuries to combat the unwelcome aging face. From surgical stand point, the recent development in less and less invasive technique and the desire for less down time and less complications has made facial rejuvenation more and more attractive and accepted by the ever more informed population.
The variety of face lift as a surgical procedure can go from a minimally invasive procedure with shorter and shorter incisions to a more extensive incisions and very aggressive surgery. Depending on the age and the degree of facial aging and soft tissue excess and laxity, face lift procedures are elected to serve individual patients’ needs.
Simple short scar face lift may be utilized for majority of the patients who desire face lift with minimal downtime. The more conventional full face lift may be needed for the patients with heavy neck and lots of loose skin.
The surgical technique involved various incisions along the hair line on the sideburn extending in front of ears and ending behind the ear.
Depending on the need for more or less resection of skin of the face and neck, the incision is tailored to fit each individual patient.
In our institution, we offer variety of face lifts depending on the need of our patients. Majority of our face lift are conservative and goes along with the patient desire. Our moto is less is more. Thus, unless it is absolutely necessary, we keep our incisions simple and short with great results.
Majority of the face lift can be performed under local anesthesia with some simple and safe sedation. General anesthesia is always available if the patient chooses.
There are various bandaging techniques after the procedure that the patient must wear for few days. There will be some bruising and swelling that will subside with time. The bruising may take about 10 days, the swelling may take few months (about 12 weeks) to be completely resolved.
Incision line will be somewhat red and noticeable for few weeks and eventually it will soften and disappear with time.
Face lift on smokers and diabetics may be risky and have compromised outcome in terms of healing and ulceration and scars. Smokers are expected to stop smoking for at least three months before any face lift procedure in our institution. Diabetic patient must demonstrate well controlled diabetes and still may be at risk of compromised wound healing.
Complications of face lift are rare but could be serious. Any facial nerve damage, partial or total is always possible but very rare. With our technique of only tightening the understructure rather than cutting, facial nerve damage is virtually non-existence.
Contact our office and come for a one to one consultation to see if you are a good candidate for a face lift.
Full Facelift
Facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging on the face and neck. As individuals age, the skin and muscles of the face region begin to lose tone. The facelift cannot stop the process of aging. It can improve the most visible signs of aging by tightening the deeper structures, re-draping the skin of face and neck, and removing selected areas of fat.
Partial Facelift
Partial Facelift surgery is individualized for each patient. The best candidates for partial facelift surgery have a face and neck line beginning to sag in certain areas, rather than everywhere, but whose skin has elasticity and whose bone structure is well defined. A concern for these Partial Procedures is they will address all facial concerns of aging. They will not prevent further aging, and may actually create an uneven aging profile in that the partial facelift treated area now appears much younger than other facial areas not treated.