There are so many cosmetic facial rejuvenation procedures and treatments available. Did you know that some procedures are better suited for some people, while others are not? There are many factors involved. The first step is choosing the best procedure for you, and the second is choosing the cosmetic surgeon you want to work with. There are other factors to consider such as downtime, cost, and recovery time as well.
Dr. Schoonover of Kansas Plastic Surgery in Wichita offers many facial rejuvenation treatments and procedures:
- Facelift
- Neck lift
- FaceTite
- Chin augmentation
- Blepharoplasty
- Browlift
- Rhinoplasty
Each procedure provides a different result, and several can be combined in one surgical appointment to help meet your aesthetic goals. Let’s break down each procedure further to help you learn more about them and decide which would be best for you.
Facelift
As we age, it is natural for the collagen matrix in the skin to begin to break down, resulting in thin, loose skin. Gravity, smoking, weight loss, sun damage also contribute, resulting in fine to deep lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead. A facelift is a surgical procedure that can help treat loose facial skin, muscles, and lines/wrinkles.
In a traditional facelift, after the patient is fully sedated with anesthesia, incisions are made at the temples that go down along the front ridge of the ear, and behind the neck. Deep layers of facial muscle are pulled, and the surface skin is gently pulled over the muscle. Excess skin is trimmed, and the patient is then sutured up.
Recovery is different for each patient, but generally, after a week of rest and healing, most patients can begin to resume light activity. Bruising and swelling will occur, and the degree and severity varies by each patient. Some scarring may be visible, but consistent aftercare can help minimize them.
A good candidate for a facelift is a healthy individual who does not smoke or have a medical condition that would hinder healing. A facelift is an invasive procedure that offers dramatic results for the patient.
Results for a full facelift can last up to 15 years if the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle and avoids excessive sun exposure. Remember, a facelift does not halt the aging process and aging will still occur. It can, however, facilitate a more youthful appearance and increase one’s confidence.
Other surgical procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a facelift are neck lift, brow lift, and blepharoplasty. And, if you are wanting a less invasive facial rejuvenation procedure, there is FaceTite- which will be discussed shortly.
Neck lift
As the skin on the face begins to sag, the same can occur on an individual’s neck. Weakened muscles, loss of muscle tone, accumulation of fat, and loss of skin elasticity on the neck can make a person look older than what they are, and diminish a once-chiseled jawline.
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that helps to minimize the appearance of loose, sagging skin and fat under the chin and along the neck. After the patient is sedated under anesthesia, an incision is made in front of the earlobe that goes up and behind the ear and along the hairline. The procedure is similar to a facelift in that muscle and skin are gently pulled, repositioned, sutured in place- and excess skin from the area is removed.
An ideal candidate for a neck lift is a healthy, non-smoking individual who has excessive, loose skin on their neck area that they want to be removed, lifted and tightened. The neck lift can provide dramatic results for a patient, restoring a contoured face, jawline, and a more youthful appearance.
Browlift
Gravity and aging can cause the forehead to have loose skin, wrinkles, and droopy eyebrows. A brow lift surgical procedure can help address this and restore the position of the eyebrows and smooth forehead wrinkles.
After the patient is under anesthesia, a small, one-inch incision is made above the temples along the hairline. The tissue in the outer brow area will be lifted and repositioned, which can smooth forehead frown lines and wrinkles, and give the appearance of a more youthful, less tired face.
A good candidate for a brow lift is healthy and is willing to have a surgical procedure to address their visible, deep forehead frown lines, and is concerned about the position of their brows due to the natural aging process.
Blepharoplasty
Sometimes, due to aging, the skin and muscle in the eyelid area droops, causing the appearance of someone who is tired, angry, or older than what they are. A blepharoplasty can help rejuvenate the eyes, resulting in a more youthful, rested, and wide-eyed appearance.
During the blepharoplasty, an incision is made on the upper eyelid, and excess skin, fat, and muscle is removed before the final, closing sutures are made. Alternately, a small incision may be made on the outside of the eyelid under the lower eyelashes or on the inside of the eyelid to address the lower eye. Fat and skin will be removed to reduce sagging and bags under the eye.
An ideal candidate for a blepharoplasty is a healthy, non-smoker, who is concerned about their hooded eyelids, loose skin, or bags under the eyes. Some patients may even have some vision obstruction due to the sagging eyelid and want to restore their vision to the full capacity. Some swelling and bruising may occur, as well as light scarring. Most patients tolerate blepharoplasty recovery very well without complications.
FaceTite
FaceTite is a minimally invasive skin tightening procedure that Dr. Schoonover performs in his office. It is a great alternative to a facelift for patients who aren’t ready for a surgical facelift, but who do have loose facial and neck skin that they want to have addressed. The procedure does not require a general anesthetic, only a local one, and the patient can go home right after the procedure with little to no downtime.
FaceTite is an FDA-approved device that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate the production of collagen in the upper dermal area. FaceTitecontours, tightens, firms, and remodels the tissue on the forehead, nasolabial area, lower face, cheek, and neck areas.
Most patients have reported having results lasting for five years after a FaceTite treatment.
Ask Dr. Schoonover
If you are wanting a facial rejuvenation procedure, but are unsure of which one(s) are right for you, Dr.Schoonover at Kansas Plastic Surgery can answer all of your questions and address your concerns. He welcomes everyone for a consultation at KPS where he will take time to listen to your goals and help you decide which procedure will best support your lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
