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As part of the natural aging process, facial skin looses elasticity, resulting in wrinkles and jowls.
A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can't stop this aging process, but it can create a younger appearance and improve self-esteem by erasing some of the most visible signs of aging. The effects of sun and wind damage can be diminished through facelift surgery, as well.

The Surgery

A facelift is either performed in the hospital or in an office surgical suite. The surgery takes an average of two to three hours and can be performed using either a local or general anesthesia. Your plastic surgeon will remove the excess skin and tighten the underlying neck and facial muscles. Excess fat and skin is removed through tiny incisions placed behind the hairline and within the natural curves of the ears. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. Your surgeon may also recommend injections of collagen or Botox for deep creases or frown lines.

The Recovery

You may be allowed to return home within a few hours of the surgery, or it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital in order to be monitored by a medical staff. After the surgery, the face may remain swollen, puffy and bruised for 2-3 weeks. Most sutures are removed after five to ten days, and residual bruising can be covered by makeup. There may be some discomfort after the surgery, which is usually managed by medication. Patients sometimes feel a tightness and numbness that should return to normal within several weeks. It is important to avoid any strenuous activity during the recovery process.

The Best Candidates for a Facelift

Age is not always the most important factor when determining who will be the best facelift candidate. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well. Men and women in good health with strong bone structure and realistic expectations make the best candidates.

The Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks that include: infection, bleeding and reaction to anesthesia. There’s also a rare chance of injury to the nerves that control facial muscles and a rare chance of hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be surgically removed). You can reduce your risks by closely following the instructions provided by your surgeon before and after surgery.

Background: A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, smooths the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues and removes excess fat. The results of a facelift can be dramatic or subtle, depending on how the patient looked before surgery and what the specific goals of the procedure were.
Technique: Results of a facelift are individual – no two facelifts are identical. Although there are many variations to the facelift procedure, generally an incision is hidden in the natural contour of the ear, and then extends around the earlobe and back into the hairline. There may also be a small incision hidden underneath the chin. Through discreet facelift incisions, the plastic surgeon is able to free the skin from the underlying tissues to the extent necessary for the particular surgical technique suggested. After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess is removed. In some instances, deeper tissues may be involved. If necessary, a small incision beneath the chin permits the removal of fatty tissue in that area and smoothing of the cord-like structures of the underlying muscle in the neck.

Benefits

• The patient’s face will appear firmer and fresher. Restores smoother, more pleasing contours to the face and neck. Patient satisfaction is reported for many years following a facelift.
• Significant complications from facelifts are infrequent.
• In many instances, the patient is able to return to work and resume most normal activities within two weeks and may begin to exercise three to four weeks after surgery.
• Incisions can be easily concealed by hair or makeup.

Other Considerations

• Recovery time varies among individuals. Generally, the greatest amount of swelling occurs 24 to 48 hours after surgery, but it may take several weeks before all puffiness is resolved. Most bruising will disappear within two weeks. The patient may also experience numbness in the facial area, which may be present for several weeks or longer.
• Heredity and lifestyle factors influence how long results last.
• A facelift cannot correct conditions such as sagging eyebrows, excess skin and fatty deposits in the upper and lower eyelids, or wrinkles around the mouth. A facelift is frequently combined with a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping or skin treatments such as a chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.
• Every surgical procedure carries some risk. Potential complications may include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, and reactions to anesthesia.
• Injury to underlying structures is possible, though it is usually temporary.
• Facelift incisions are usually inconspicuous, but are not predictable due to individual variations in healing.
• Patient must temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long-term, be conscientious about the use of a sunblock to protect their skin.