The main goal of a facelift is to reverse the signs of aging by addressing wrinkles and loose, sagging skin on the face. Other procedures can be performed in conjunction with a facelift such as a brow lift and a neck lift, to achieve a seamless full rejuvenation in your appearance.
There are several different types of facelifts available because every face is different and unique. Each one addresses a different part of the face, so if you are more concerned about one area than the other, you do have choices when it comes to facelifts. There is not a one size fits all procedure to correct sagging skin and wrinkles. During your consultation you will have a chance to share your goals with the surgeon, and they can help you decide which procedure(s) would be best for you based on your anticipated aesthetic outcome.
The terms “upper face,” “midface” and “lower face” when discussing facelifts
Most people describe facelifts by the areas they address. The “upper face” includes everything above the eyes (primarily your brow line and forehead). The term “midface” describes the area from the corners of your eyes to the corners of your mouth, including the cheeks and the area above your lips. The “lower face” includes everything below the side edges of the mouth- including the nasolabial folds and jawline. In some cases, a lower facelift can targetloose skin under the chin and part of the neck.
Mini Facelift
The mini lift is less invasive in that it uses shorter incisions than that seen in traditional facelift techniques. Small incisions are made at the edge of the hair line and around the ears. The skin is tightened, and excess tissue is removed before being sutured, which greatly improves the appearance of the jowls and neck.
One of the main benefits of a mini facelift is that it has a shorter recovery time. While traditional facelift patients may need 4-5 weeks to recover from a facelift, mini facelifts only require 3-5 days. However, facelift techniques that are more invasive typically have results that last longer and are more dramatic. A mini facelift can provide excellent results for 2-6 years.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift is a surgical procedure that tighten slax skin of the jawline and jowls, addressing the drooping “turkey” neck. The procedure creates a more defined jawline and tightens the neck while smoothing deep wrinkles on both sides of the mouth area. It differs from a traditional facelift that lifts the entire face because it focuses on the lower 1/3 of the face and neck which is most patients’ problem area. For those looking to refresh their appearance and perform less surgery, the lower facelift is ideal.
Upper Facelift: Brow/forehead lift
There are various brow-lift methods, which involve different length incisions in different locations.During this procedure, incisions can be made right above the browline to lift and tighten the skin above the eyes. This results in very small scars, and alternately, incisions can be made in the hairline at the top of the forehead.
A brow lift or forehead lift reverses the effects of gravity and tightens the soft tissues of the forehead to restore a more youthful contour to your forehead skin, upper eyelids and eyebrows. It raises the eyebrows into a more “alert”, youthful position, making you look refreshed.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery is also a great option in conjunction with an upper face lift, as a forehead lift does not improve baggy eyelids or crow’s feet.
Companion procedures can be performed with a Facelift:
Eyelid lift
An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes skin while adding or removing fat from the eyelids. (The term “eyelid lift” is a misnomer because the eyelid is not truly lifted during surgery.)
There are two types of eyelid surgery options
Upper lid: this procedure removes skin and sometimes fat) in the upper eyelid region. Upper eyelid tissue can make the eyelids look heavy, tired, and aged. At times, this tissue can even begin to block one’s field of vision.
Lower lid: this procedure addresses any puffy bags or wrinkles under the eye area. Fat is removed or re-positioned after making a small incision. Skin will be tightened if necessary, improving the contour of the eyelid.
Neck lift
This surgical procedure can remove excess skin and fat from the neck area to address age-related wrinkling and creasing in this area, and provide a smoother, slimmer profile.
A neck lift enhances the appearance of the neck by tightening the skin and underlying neck muscles and improving the contour of the jawline. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with liposuction, or SmartLipo.
Benefits of having multiple procedures in conjunction with a facelift
- Save valuable time and money by having one anesthesia one operating room fee
- One recovery period instead of multiple
- Have a complete, balanced rejuvenated face and neck addressed all the areas at once.
If you are interested in learning more about the facelift procedures offered at Kansas Plastic Surgery in Wichita, please visit https://bit.ly/309eNy. If you would like to schedule a risk-free consultation with Dr. Kenton Schoonover at Kansas plastic Surgery, click here or call us at (316) 305-9618.
