Facial Rejuvenation: An Evolution for the Ages
- Posted on: Sep 15 2021
The concept of anti-aging is aeons old. We’ve come a long way in just a short time. The first facelift occurred just over a century ago and, while that may sound like a long time to most of us, it’s a drop in the bucket when we think about how long humans have been searching for that Fountain of Youth. In 1901, a surgeon was approached by a Polish aristocrat with the request of lifting her cheeks and corners of her mouth. What an interesting beginning to the field of cosmetic plastic surgery! This beginning was also where the initial perception of facelift surgery was formed. Let’s just say that it wasn’t good and it wasn’t necessarily bad, either.
For about seven decades after that first facelift, the technique remained pretty much the same. To rejuvenate the face, surgeons would make incisions near the ears and pull the skin up and back before trimming the excess and applying sutures. The result was tighter skin but not necessarily natural-looking rejuvenation. Patients often looked windblown for years after their procedure, demonstrating the telltale sign they’d had a facelift. Fortunately, like all things, surgical techniques evolved.
Taking a New Direction
The goal and general technique for facelift surgery has stayed consistent over time. However, in the 1960s, this procedure took a slightly new direction. At that time, research discovered that what was called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, was also involved in the changing face. This layer of muscle and fat became integral to facial rejuvenation. At first, surgeons began tightening muscle and skin. Then, in the 1970s, they began repositioning the layer of fat, as well, to reinstate more youthful, natural facial contours.
Modern Day Facial Rejuvenation
We’ve seen a number of advances since the facelift started to evolve. Today, patients may seek facial rejuvenation that doesn’t even involve a facelift because other techniques have been developed. Examples include blepharoplasty or brow lift surgery to rejuvenate the upper face, multiple facelift techniques, and even nonsurgical approaches to facial aging such as lip and cheek augmentation.
Facelift surgery remains a solid choice among a sea of nonsurgical treatments. With the help of an experienced plastic surgeon, you can discover your best approach to graceful aging. Contact our NYC office at (212) 508-0000 to schedule your visit to discuss your options.
Posted in: Face Procedures, Facelift, Laser Resurfacing
