What Is A Facelift?
The facelift is a plastic surgery procedure performed by Reno Plastic Surgeon Dr. Dahan that works to correct or reduce the signs of aging. As we age, the ligaments which hold up our facial soft tissues begin to lose support. This results in sagging, folds, creases, and jowls. Aging and sun damage also lead to facial skin changes such as wrinkles and laxity. The procedure targets excess fat in the face and neck, loose muscle and skin, deep nasolabial folds, perioral creases, jowls, and the platysma neckbands.
Can A Facelift Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Generally speaking, facelift procedures only address the face and neck, although it can safely be combined with eyelid surgery and/or browlift. Laser resurfacing or chemical peels are ideal for improving wrinkled and damaged skin. Routine skincare treatments and products can help to maintain healthy skin and definitely increase the quality and longevity of facelift and other facial cosmetic procedures.
Who Is The Ideal Candidate For A Facelift?
Those who are looking to rejuvenate the appearance of the face may want to consider facelift surgery. Specific indications include:
- Sagging jowls.
- Deep facial folds and creases.
- Loose skin in the face and neck.
- Fat around the neck.
- Neck bands.
- Wrinkled skin.
What Is A Good Age For A Facelift?
It is difficult to state the “ideal” age for a facelift. Every person’s skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle tissue are different based on their life experiences and general health. Two people of the same age may have vastly contrasting cosmetic needs. Generally, facelift procedures are performed on women over the age of 40. Men who seek surgical facial rejuvenation often do not do so until age 50 or 60.
Rather than observing biological age, surgeons evaluate candidacy for facelift surgery based on the condition of the skin and underlying tissue. Clinical outcomes suggest that facelift surgery may result in better, longer-lasting improvements when tissue elasticity is still good. However, older patients can also achieve optimal results with one or more rejuvenating techniques, such as a facelift and neck lift or facelift and eyelid rejuvenation.
For many middle-aged and elderly people, a facelift is ideal for achieving a younger appearance that more accurately expresses a youthful attitude toward life.* Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to develop excessive scars should talk with their doctor before considering facelift surgery.
If you are considering the value of a facelift, the best way to understand the right timing for you is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Facelift Before & After
It has been over a year since Dr. Phillip Dahan gave me my facelift, and I am MORE than pleased with the results. I look and feel much younger than my age, my husband and friends love my appearance, and even my career has received a significant boost! The procedure was easy, the recovery was quick. Dr. Dahan and his office staff were efficient and extremely caring. I’ve been to other surgeons, but Dr. Phillip Dahan is the best of all!
*Individual results may vary
Facelift Procedure
To access the areas treated during the facelift, Dr. Dahan can make an incision above the hairline at the temples, along the natural contour in front of the ear, behind the tragus and behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. Dr. Dahan carefully cuts the skin beneath the fat. He gently pulls the skin at the lip, cheek and midline of neck. This is where he delicately separates the tissue. The surgeon also pulls back the thin fascia (“SMAS” connective tissue of the face) to provide deeper support to the facial skin, especially around the jaw line. This is a “Deep” facelift.
An incision may be made under the chin as well to rejuvenate the neck. The underlying tissues are then recontoured, neck bands corrected and the skin redraped for a tauter, smoother texture. Stitches are then used to fixate the tissue layers and close the incisions.
Does A Facelift Require Anesthesia?
Dr. Dahan performs the surgery under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation (“twilight”).
How Long Does A Facelift Procedure Take?
When a facelift is conducted independently of other procedures, surgery may take 3 to 4 hours. If a patient chooses additional techniques such as eyelid surgery, procedure time may increase by an hour or more. During patient consultations, Dr. Dahan discusses complementary procedures as needed, to include procedure time.
What should I expect after a Facelift surgery?
Patients often feel well enough to resume light normal activities within a few days after a facelift. However, due to bruising and swelling, they may choose to stay indoors and take two weeks off work.
How Long After My Facelift Surgery Can I Start To Exercise?
Bruising, swelling, and the risk of bleeding increase when blood pressure and heart rate are elevated. For this reason, patients are directed to avoid exercise or other activities that increase blood pressure for 3 to 4 weeks after this procedure.
Do You Need Fillers After A Facelift?
As the foundational structure of the face ages, tissue collapses inward as much as it sags downward. This is due to the degradation of the fatty tissue at the temples, cheeks, lips, and lower face. Dermal fillers and fat injections are often performed after a facelift to address the volume loss that has occurred.
How Long Do Facelift Results Last?
Most facelifts should last 7-10 years before needing to redo it (also see RefreshLift™).
*Individual results may vary
How Painful Is A Facelift?
Facelift surgery is performed using appropriate anesthesia, which keeps patients comfortable for the duration of their procedure. After surgery, a combination of compression and prescription pain medication supports optimal comfort. Within a few days, many patients feel well enough to return to work.
Where Are Facelift Surgery Scars Located?
Facelift incisions follow the hairline around the ears to achieve optimal results with minimal scar visibility.
Are Facelift Scars Noticeable?
When the skin heals completely, the scars of facelift surgery should be barely noticeable. This is true even when an incision is made in the natural crease of the chin, which it may be if a neck lift is also performed.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are interested in getting a facelift and would like to see if you are a good candidate, call (775) 826-4477 or schedule a consultation online.
Phillip Dahan, MD, FACS. All rights reserved.
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