Picture this: wrinkles magically vanishing, sagging skin bidding farewell, and a rejuvenated visage that turns heads like a red carpet superstar! If you think that sounds like a dream come true, you’re in the right place.
Facelifts are designed to rejuvenate and tighten facial skin, typically performed on individuals who wish to combat the signs of aging. Let’s discuss the different types of facelifts you can get and how to choose the right one for you.
What’s a Facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck. The process involves tightening the facial skin, removing excess fat and repositioning sagging tissues to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Facelifts can address a range of issues, such as inelastic skin, wrinkles, fine lines, jowls, aging neck structures and loss of facial volume. And they typically result in patients looking about ten years younger.
Benefits of a Facelift
The benefits of a facelift include:
- A more youthful and refreshed appearance
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Improved facial symmetry and proportion
- Long-lasting results
Types of Facelifts
Several types of facelifts are available at Ridenour Plastic Surgery, each designed to address particular areas of the face and produce specific results.
Traditional Facelift
A traditional facelift, known to some as a full facelift, is the most comprehensive one. It addresses the entire face and neck, including the brow, cheeks, jowls and neck. The process involves making incisions around the hairline and ears, lifting the facial tissues and repositioning them to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. A traditional facelift is suitable for older individuals with significant signs of aging and those who wish to achieve the most dramatic results.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift, also known as a neck lift, is designed to address the disproportionate aging of the lower face. The procedure involves making incisions under the chin and around the ears, lifting the facial tissues and repositioning them to create a smoother, more defined jawline. At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we perform an extended deep plane face and neck lift to correct the aging of both superficial and deep structures in the face and neck. It’s ideally suited for individuals with sagging skin, increasing jowls along the jawline, and increasing skin, fat and muscle bands in the neck.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a modified, shortened version of a traditional or full facelift. It is designed to address the lower half of your face, including cheeks, jowls and neck. The procedure involves making smaller incisions around the ear, lifting the facial tissues and repositioning them to create a more youthful appearance. A mini facelift is suitable as a “tuck-up” operation for patients that have already had a facelift or for younger patients with early signs of aging who wish to maintain their youthful appearance with subtle, natural-looking results.
Liquid Facelift
This nonsurgical set of treatments is sometimes referred to as a liquid facelift. It’s a procedure that involves injecting fillers and neurotoxins into the face to restore youth and an uplifted appearance. Another variation uses the patient’s own fat, which is taken from a donor site, processed, then reinjected into the face. The process is quick, relatively painless and requires no downtime. A liquid facelift is suitable for individuals with mild to moderate signs of aging who wish to achieve subtle results without undergoing surgery.
Which Facelift Should You Get?
Choosing the right facelift for you depends on several factors. The following are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing a facelift:
- Age: Facelifts are most effective for individuals between 40 and 70. Facelifts are less effective in older individuals with poor skin quality and loss of skin elasticity.
- Facial structure: The type of facelift chosen should complement your facial balance and enhance natural features.
- Desired results: Different types of facelifts produce different results, and you should clearly know what you hope to achieve before deciding on a procedure.
Consultation With a Plastic Surgeon
Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Ridenour of St. Louis, MO, is the only way to determine the most suitable facelift procedure for you. During the consultation, he will assess your facial structure, skin type, and desired results and recommend a procedure that will achieve the most natural-looking with the longest-lasting results.
What to Expect During and After a Facelift
Facelift procedures are typically performed under sedation and can take several hours to complete. During a traditional procedure, Dr. Ridenour will make incisions around the hairline and ears, lift the facial tissues and reposition them to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. He may also remove deep fat in the neck, reposition salivary glands and modify and reposition muscles in the neck.
After, you can expect to see some swelling, bruising or discomfort, which can be managed with minimal pain medication and cold compresses.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from a facelift procedure can take several weeks, and patients should follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery.
The following are some general aftercare tips:
- Expect to take at least one week off work.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity for several weeks.
- Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising.
- Reduce sun exposure and wear sunscreen when outdoors.
- Follow a healthy diet and skincare regimen to maintain the results.
Risks and Complications
Like all surgical procedures, facelifts carry some risks and potential complications, including bleeding, infection or scarring. However, these risks are minimized when you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Ridenour, and follow post-operative instructions carefully.
Get Your Facelift Consultation with the Best
So what can you expect from a facelift at Ridenour Plastic Surgery? How about a boost in confidence when you’re out and about, a youthful glow that will make you feel like a million bucks and a renewed sense of energy and excitement at work. Plus, you’ll be able to tackle multiple signs of aging at once – now that’s what we call a win-win!
The best part? You’ll get dramatic results with manageable downtime and little to no visible scarring. So what are you waiting for? Start here to schedule your consultation to decide what type of facelift is right for you. Get ready for youthful results that will last for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you combine other procedures with a facelift?
Facelifts can also be combined with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, chin implant or skin resurfacing, to achieve a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face and neck.
How long do the results of a facelift last?
The results of a facelift can last ten years or longer, depending on the individual’s age, skin type and lifestyle factors.
Are facelifts painful?
Facelifts are typically performed under sedation; patients may experience temporary discomfort and swelling after the procedure.
What is the cost of a facelift?
The cost of a facelift varies based on the type of procedure chosen, the surgeon’s experience and expertise and the geographic location of the practice.
Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
Good candidates for a facelift are individuals between the ages of 40 and 70 with mild to moderate signs of aging, good overall health and realistic expectations for the procedure.
