Facelift

As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases between the nose and the mouth appear, the jaw line loosens and folds and fat deposits appear in the face and neck.

The goal of a face-lift procedure, (Rhytidectomy) is to create a younger and fresher look by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, and naturally redraping the skin of your face and neck. Often other procedures, such as the forehead-lift, eyelid surgery, laser surgery, or nose reshaping are performed simultaneously.

Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, blood clotting problems, a tendency to form excessive scars, and a history of smoking are carefully reviewed in advance.

Incisions usually begin above the hairline of the temple. They follow a natural line in front of the ear, behind the tragus (cartilaginous portion in front of the ear), and curve behind the earlobe, then extended into the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may be made under the chin in order to directly remove fat and tighten the platysma (neck muscles) which may have "banded" or rolled up.

Some numbness of the skin, particularly behind the ear and the neck, is quite normal and it generally disappears in weeks to months. Moisturizers are utilized on the face during the first weeks to months and a camouflage, green-based make-up can be used to hide the yellow tinge and discolorations of the skin.