All You Need to Know About a Facelift Procedure

By Deepika Sharma On Oct 19, 2022

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Your facial appearance can make or break your self-image, esteem, and confidence. Unfortunately, the face is the first area of our bodies to be affected by age. It gradually loses its elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging.

So, if you have started staring at the mirror and no longer like the person staring back, you might have explored the various options for reinvigorating your face and restoring your once attractive youthful appearance. A facelift might be one of the most effective ways of counteracting the effects of gravity and time, helping you realize your aesthetic desires.

But first things first:

What Is a Facelift?

Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift procedure is a cosmetic surgery done to lift and tighten your facial tissues, giving them a more youthful and naturally vibrant appearance. Generally, the procedure involves reshaping the lower part of your face by eliminating excess facial skin and as a way of “turning back the clock,” making you look like the younger version of yourself or even better. It can also involve smoothing out wrinkles and folds, tightening loose skin, and eliminating jowls (the sagging skin at the jaws). Sometimes, it is combined with various surgeries to improve your forehead, eyelids, brows, and cheeks.

The Common Types of Facelifts

A facelift procedure is customized based on a patient’s specific needs. The two common types of facelifts include:

Mini Face Lift

This is the perfect procedure if you exhibit a lower degree of sagging and jowling. It is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon tightens deep facial tissues through smaller incisions. The incisions are done along the hairline, above both ears, or/and in the creases around the years. They make it possible to lift and tighten the tissues around the cheeks to refine the jawline, correct the jawline and rejuvenate the old, tired appearance.

Standard Facelift

Also known as a traditional facelift, a standard facelift is the best way to address average to intense signs of aging around your mid-face all the way to the neck. This option is more extensive than the mini facelift, and consequently, facelift recovery time in Philadelphia, PA, might be longer and more dramatic. This procedure aims to reposition the deeper facial tissues and eliminate the excess skin that causes wrinkles, jowls, and sagging under the chin restoring a vibrant and youthful contour from your face to the neck.

The Ideal Facelift Candidate

If you are considering a facelift procedure, you must have an extensive discussion with your surgeon, who will guide you depending on your current skin and health conditions. Generally, an ideal facelift candidate should have the following:

Good health
An elastic skin condition
A balanced bone structure
Realistic expectations

Life After a Facelift Procedure

After the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will most likely prescribe pain relief medication. It is not unusual to experience some general discomfort, pain, bruising, and swelling. They will also guide you on when to go back to the cleaning to remove any drains, stitches, and dressings and for a general check and follow-up. Once the swelling reduces, you might be able to notice a significant change in your facial appearance, but it might take you some time before the face feels normal. You might want to relax, take up to two weeks off work, and stick to light tasks. Since every patient is different, ask your surgeon about the expected facelift recovery time in Philadelphia, PA, and when it is the right time to resume your daily activities .

Facelift Procedures Q&As

Is a facelift procedure really worth it?

A facelift procedure is one of the best ways of creating a vibrant, younger face. This procedure is worth it for the patient looking to:

Tighten sagging skin
Eliminate wrinkles and creases
Reduce drop around the jawlines and on the cheeks
Lift the droopy corners of the mouth

How should I prepare for the procedure?

They should prepare for a facelift procedure just like you do for any other surgery. Before anything else, your doctor will request a surgical evaluation or blood work. They will also review your personal and family medical history, surgical goals, possible contraindications, and surgical goals. You might also have to stop or reduce the intake of certain medications, such as aspirin, herbal supplements, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers. You must also quit smoking.

What are the possible risks of a facelift procedure?

Facelift procedures are not without potential risks and side effects, including:

Excessive bleeding
Cardiac events
Infection
Blood clots
Hair loss at specific incision sites
A prolonged wound-healing period
Prolonged swelling
Pain and scarring

What can I do to extend the facelift results?

Upon a successful facelift, you will be able to notice incredible changes on your face. While your surgeon might not guarantee how long the facelift results might last, most results will last for years before you need to go back for a touch-up. Some of the ways to ensure that these results last longer include: