Aging of the face is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin begins to loosen on the face and neck. Crow’s feet appear at the corners of the eyes. Fine forehead lines become creases and then, gradually, deeper folds.
The jaw line softens into jowls, and beneath the chin, another chin or vertical folds appear at the front of the neck.
Hereditary, personal habits, the pull of gravity, and sun exposure contribute to the aging of the face. As the aging population grows, it is obvious why rhytidectomy, or facelift, as it is commonly called, has become the third most desired facial plastic surgical procedure.
There is no ideal in a facelift. Rather, the goal is to improve the overall appearance of the cheek, neck or both. Skin type, ethnic background, degree of skin elasticity, individual healing, basic bone structure, as well as realistic attitude are factors that should be discussed prior to surgery.
This procedure is sometimes performed on patients in their thirties, and successful surgery has been performed on patients in their eighties. A facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it turn back the clock. What it can do is help your face look its best and give you a look of health and more youthful appearance. A side benefit is that many patients experience increased self-confidence.
Cheek lift surgery usually begins with an incision in the area of the temple and is carried in front of the ear, behind the small tag of ear cartilage called the tragus and ends at the lobe. The incision for a neck lift is hidden behind the ear and into the scalp. For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines. The foundation layer of the face is lifted and reinforced and the muscles of the neck tightened. After trimming the excess skin, the incisions are closed with fine dissolvable sutures and/or metal clips, which permit surgery without shaving hair from the incision site.
Recovery usually takes one to three weeks, though many patients go back to work in seven to fourteen days, depending on the surgery performed. Scars are usually not noticeable after enough time has passed for them to mature. In many cases, they are easily disguised in natural skin creases, by the hair, or, in persistent cases, by makeup until total healing has occurred.
A vigorous skin maintenance program should begin approximately eight weeks after surgery to keep the skin healthy and rejuvenated.