Face Lift Surgery

What is a face lift?

Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It was the first and original procedure described to reverse signs of aging and has kept its name despite the fact it only works well for the lower face and jawline. As techniques and our understanding of aging has improved, better techniques have evolved to address the other signs of aging in the face and neck.

A facelift can be combined with other procedures but specifically can address:

• Excess skin and fat lying around the jawline
• Loss of muscle tone in the lower face that has created jowls
• Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw
• A drooping sad mouth

A facelift can be done using the following techniques:

• Short Scar - using a short scar technique, the scar lies in front of and slightly into the ear but does not extend behind the ear. This is good for people who have a small amount of what we call jowling who wish this to be corrected
• Extended short scar - In front of the ear and behind into the sulcus but not across the mastoid skin
• Full facelift incision - a full facelift incision continues from the short extended scar across the mastoid skin and into the hairline of the neck. This is a very long incision and Mr Lee is highly unlikely to recommend this approach because of the more extensive scar.

Who would be suitable for a facelift?

If you are bothered by the signs of ageing in your face, a facelift may be right for you. Facelift surgery is usually performed on adult men and women who have healthy facial tissue and muscles. When combined with other techniques almost all signs of aging can be improved giving a fuller, healthier, fresher more youthful appearance.