What is a facelift?
Rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to give a youthful yet glowing appearance to the face by removing excess skin. The facelift surgeon targets the lower half of your face in the procedure by removing the excess facial skin.
According to Dr. Zakhary, a renowned rhinoplasty surgeon, the procedure is effective in tightening the hanging and loosening skin around the jawline, also known as ‘jowls. Moreover, it helps to decrease deep creases and aging scars around the nose and mouth while removing fat from the chin and jawline.
A facelift is often combined with other cosmetic surgeries to enhance the eyelids, brows, cheeks, and the forehead. As of 2016, more than 131,000 facelift surgeries were performed. Since then, the figure has increased annually. In fact, it was the fifth most common cosmetic surgery among men.
How is facelifting done?
Facelift surgery involves local anesthesia or mild sedatives and is an outpatient procedure that takes about 2 to 5 hours. The surgery is not complex and the patient is discharged on the same day, given he attends the follow-up appointment after a few days.
Most surgeons still follow the traditional method of rhinoplasty. A facelift surgeon commences the surgery by making an incision or a small cut on the skin facing the ear. The incision is then extended behind the ear as well as to the hairline and the hair-bearing scalp.
The procedure also involves making an incision to the cheeks to tighten the deeper tissues under the chin. In the end, the incisions are closed with staples and sutures. Some surgeons even put drains under the skin for 2 days to remove the excess fluids and blood after the surgery.
What to expect in facelift surgery?
A medical practitioner will review your medical history before surgery. He will take a look at the following:
- Smoking habits
- Scarring
- Chronic skin condition
- Allergies
- Blood clotting
- Blood pressure
- Drug use history
After the medical check-up, the patient and the surgeon discuss the complications, the results, and the post-surgery care.
New surgical techniques for facelift surgery
New methods are constantly coming under the limelight to improve cosmetic procedures such as a facelift. Many of the modern methods require no anesthesia and have quick recovery time. However, all of the methods are modifications of traditional rhinoplasty.
For instance, many patients now opt for laser for resurfacing, jawline enhancement, and neck-lift.
Is facelift surgery worth it?
Yes, a facelift surgery creates a youthful yet smooth appearance on the skin by:
- Tightening sagging skin
- Lifting the corners of the mouth
- Reducing the deeper creases and droop around the jawline
Moreover, the incisions near the ears are not noticeable, however, there are a few disadvantages which you should consider. For example, facelift surgery does not last forever and you might want to invest in relapse after a few years.
Complications in facelift surgery
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Hematoma
Conclusion
Facelift surgery is an efficient method to remove sagging skin from the face instantly. But maintaining a balanced diet and exercising is important for the surgery to last.