There is beauty in the aging face. However, some of the signs of aging can feel frustrating and may make you feel less attractive than you would like. There are several ways to address signs of aging. For some, a facelift sounds like the best choice. This surgery has become increasingly popular as the cosmetic results have continued to improve with minor adjustments to surgical techniques. The outcome of a facelift can bolster self-confidence and general happiness with appearance. If you’re considering a facelift, you may have heard that you need to have realistic expectations. Here, we discuss what looks like.
What a Facelift Can Accomplish
A facelift is a procedure that corrects the signs of aging in the lower region of the face. It is performed to correct specific age-related changes, including:
- Loss of contour along the chin and jawline
- Noticeable jowls
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Loss of muscle tone in the upper neck and mid to lower face
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth
Facelifts were once known for creating an overdone appearance due to too much skin tightening. This happened because older techniques focused only on the skin, not on the underlying foundational structures. Today, every facelift is carefully planned to achieve distinctive benefits, such as:
- Restructuring of the muscular foundation beneath the skin. The layer of tissue first corrected during a facelift is the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). This area weakens as collagen declines and also through facial movements. To reposition this layer of tissue is to reform facial contours.
- Improving contours. By repositioning the deeper layer of tissue that forms the skin’s foundation, a facelift improves the contours of the cheekbones, the hollows of the cheeks, the jawline, and the upper neck. This can be enhanced with dermal fillers after complete recovery.
- Correcting loose skin. The final distinct improvement achieved with a facelift is to tighten skin that has become saggy due to loss of elasticity. Surgeons take great care in this step to avoid overtightening that would look unnatural.
What a Facelift Does Not Accomplish
A facelift is not a complete repositioning of the entire face from forehead to chin. It is the restoration of contours in the lower face. The procedure does not correct signs of aging around the eyes or near the brow line. Issues such as heavy eyelids or drooping eyebrows are corrected with other procedures that can be combined with the facelift if so desired.
Schedule your consultation for facial rejuvenation today. Call our NYC office at (212) 508-0000.