What a Facelift Can and Can’t Do for You

Facelift surgery is popular because it can create a rejuvenated appearance with long-lasting results, but many people don’t realize that a facelift doesn’t really treat the entire face. While the procedure can make significant improvements in some areas, you may need additional procedures to complete your total facial rejuvenation. As a facial plastic surgeon specializing in facelift surgery here in Tucson, AZ, I believe it’s important for my patients to be aware of what they can realistically expect from each procedure.

In this blog post, I’d like to discuss what a facelift can and can’t do for you when it comes to facial rejuvenation.

Facelift Basics

Facelift surgery, technically known as a rhytidectomy, lifts and repositions sagging skin and facial muscles, creating a more youthful appearance with diminished wrinkles. I perform facelifts by removing excess sagging skin and fat, tightening underlying facial muscles, reshaping facial tissues, and repositioning the skin. I use 2 different techniques:

• Short scar facelift: This variation offers less correction, but also requires shorter incisions. It’s typically a strong choice for younger patients
• Deep plane facelift: This offers more extensive correction, but also involves additional incisions, which are made where they can be concealed. It’s usually best for those in need of a considerable lift.

What a Facelift Can & Can’t Achieve

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly you can and can’t expect from your facelift procedure.

A Facelift Can…

• Improve facial sagging from the cheeks to the jowls. Facelifts are designed to address this area. They can create the appearance of firmer cheeks and lift tissues below the skin to create a plump, youthful look and correct sagging.
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the lower face. By carefully re-draping the skin and removing and excess, we effectively smooth out any wrinkles on the lower face without creating a “windblown” appearance. Learn more about how injectables can help with this concern in our previous blog post.
• Diminish excess fat in the lower cheeks and jowl area. One of the biggest benefits of a facelift is its ability to improve jawline definition and restore the face to a more youthful shape.

A Facelift Can’t…

• Change your fundamental appearance. A facelift is a restorative procedure, meaning it’s meant to return your face to the way it looked 10 or so years ago. It won’t significantly alter your features, but will rather enhance your natural look.
• Stop the aging process. While a facelift can certainly turn back the clock, no procedure can stop the aging process altogether. You may still develop wrinkles and laxity, but we will have delayed these signs of aging by about a decade.
• Rejuvenate the eyes, brow, and forehead. Puffy or sagging eyelids, a drooping brow, and deep forehead lines typically warrant procedures of their own. You may require surgery, or you may be able to effectively complement your facelift results with nonsurgical treatments.

Is a Facelift Right for You?

If you’re not sure whether the procedure is right for you, consider visiting us for a personal consultation. During this appointment, we’ll be able to provide personal recommendations as to the best treatment options for you.

To see examples of the facelift results you can expect, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.

If you would like to discuss facelift options with a facial plastic surgeon here in Tucson, please contact us online or call (520) 731-1110.