One common issue as people age is the loss of elasticity in their skin, hair, and facial tissues, which can result in deep wrinkles, loose skin around the neck, and jowls on the lower face. A facelift is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries, and can often be the best way to restore some youthfulness into your face.

What is facelift surgery?

With the loss of elasticity in the skin, wrinkled skin and sagging cheekbones can make you look especially old and tired. A facelift is an effective procedure to treat this. Loose or saggy facial skin near the earlobe can be tightened up to give a more refreshed appearance.  Removing excess tissues in the face can support sagging tissues and muscles, and reduce wrinkles around the jawline.

In the past, a facelift merely tightened your skin. Now, this treatment can reposition supporting muscles and skin, and transfer fat. The best candidates for the procedure are those who show signs of aging but still have some elasticity in their skin. Generally, this includes people in their 40s to 60s. However, with improved health and longevity, there are even candidates in their 70s and 80s that may apply to this kind of procedure.

Why should you have one?

While there are several benefits to undergoing a facelift, you should still be in good health and have realistic expectations before deciding to move forward with the procedure. The goal isn’t to completely erase your years, but to make you look refreshed by addressing early signs of aging. When it comes to facelifts, the Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Diana Ponsky notes that modern approaches result in a more natural-looking result than ever before. Techniques and procedures can be tailored to suit your individual needs and wants. If you choose to undergo a facelift, you can expect to see an improved facial contour and skin texture, reduced sagging muscle tone, and minimized fine wrinkles and superior (surface) scarring that fades over time.

After the procedure, patients often report increased self-confidence and satisfaction because their appearance reflects more positively on their mood.

If the following describes you, a facelift might be an option to consider:

– Wrinkles on your face

– Sagging skin around your neck

– Self-consciousness around the appearance of your aging face and neck

– Impacts on your personal and professional relationships due to aging

How does it work?

The precise procedure depends on a variety of factors, including anatomy and individual goals. Typically, patients receive general anesthesia ahead of the procedure; however, a local may be used with sedation in less extensive procedures.

Once the surgeon removes the excess skin, the remaining skin is dragged gently over newly rejuvenated facial tissue. These repositionings help create firmer foundations under the face and reposition deep facial tissues to help reduce wrinkling. It gives the face a smoother, youthful shape and contour without over-tightening.

Next steps

The facelift can be a powerful solution for patients who are looking to diminish the signs of aging. Despite what you may expect, the procedure is not very invasive, painful, or expensive. Facial rejuvenation procedures, such as facelifts, have helped many men and women regain their youthful appearance with little downtime. There are several different types of facelifts, you can learn about them here.

If you’d be interested in learning more about Dr. Diana Ponsky’s approach, you can schedule an appointment here. Let us know if we can help answer any questions you may have about facelift.