That person staring back from the mirror can’t possibly be you. Maybe the reflection seems to be your mother, your father. What happened?
If you’ve ever felt this way, there are options. Some consider plastic surgery for a confidence boost or because they believe their appearance is affecting their career. It’s not the solution for everyone. Still, if you are considering it, you should know the types of facelifts available.
Non-Surgical Options
According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in 2019 almost $17 billion had been spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. alone. Globally, South Korea and Greece along with Italy and Brazil top the list for most cosmetic procedures based on population. By far one of the most popular choices is the non-surgical or “liquid facelift.” Non-invasive and usually accomplished with minimal anesthesia, these procedures rely on injectables like botulinum toxin type A (Botox). In 2019, some 7.7 million injections occurred in the United States alone––a record. For comparison, the country saw just over 123,000 facelifts and 37,000 forehead lifts that year. Injectables are also attracting an increasingly younger client base–-many of whom are in their 20s. With Botox in particular the goal is often preventative. People often start using the treatment to keep wrinkles from forming in the first place.
A newer technique, Ultherapy® uses ultrasound to lift and even tone jowls or tighten the skin around your eyes.
Surgical Facelifts
Surgical facelifts are often turned to as the benefits of injectables and other non-surgical alternatives diminish. Here there are a number of options.
As you age, your skin loses collagen which not only reduces its elasticity but increases wrinkles. The effect can be seen in everything from droopy skin around the neck and jowls to creases along the mouth and around the nose. Smiling and frowning also carves deep grooves around the eyes and across the forehead, as does sun damage. For many, the brow lift is the first surgical step after using injectables. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision along your hairline. The skin and muscles beneath are lifted up –– stretching out any drooping skin on your eyelids. One of the less invasive procedures, it also offers a faster recovery time. Because of the face’s structure, surgery on the upper part alters your entire appearance––something most feel is an improvement.
Another relatively non-invasive option, the mini-facelift is designed for patients dealing with smaller jowls and less pronounced sagging. The tissues are tightened by the surgeon making a series of tiny incisions along the hairline. Focused on the natural creases that surround the ear, the surgery can reduce “jowling” and refine the jawline. If you think you never look well rested, this procedure is recommended. It can often be done with a local anesthesia. Recovery time is usually minimal.
There are several other facelifts, each focused on different areas of the face. A traditional facelift is more extensive and recovery time is measured in weeks, not days. Bruising often lasts for over ten days, and the surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. It also has the most dramatic effect, which can be a negative for some since your appearance will be most altered by this procedure. This facelift relies on incisions that are made beginning close to your temples and around the front of your ears (again using the natural folds). By repositioning deeper subcutaneous tissues along with removing any excess skin, this type of surgery can tighten your face and give it a more youthful appearance.
Deep plane facelifts are used to lift sagging skin along your neck and chin. In this procedure, the surgeon cuts beneath the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) which is near the muscles used for frowning or smiling. With a mid-facelift, excess tissue is removed or existing tissue is utilized –– both with the goal of elevating your cheeks while reducing fine lines or wrinkles. This is usually ideal for patients who don’t have jowls. For those that do, a jawline rejuvenation where liposuction removes neck fat can help.
Other more invasive facelifts focused on the lower quadrant of the face include the S-lift, where an s-shaped cut is made around the neck and jawline. For a cutaneous lift, small cuts are made around the hairline and the ears. Here again, excess skin is removed, giving the patient an improved jawline and smoother face.
Do your research. Make sure the plastic surgeon you’ll be visiting has extensive experience with facelifts. If someone in your social circle has had work done and has noticeably good results, speak to them and get a recommendation. Men considering a facelift should find surgeons who have worked on male patients extensively because each gender has different needs and requirements. Finally, whether or not you have a facelift make sure you’re doing all you can to protect your skin. Hydrate. Use sunscreen. Consider trying an over-the-counter cream with retinol. There have even been successful studies where patients drank a collagen formula. Regardless of what you choose, take your time and make sure a facelift is really for you.
Written by John Bankston
References
- The Seven Countries with the Most Cosmetic Surgeries
- The 6 Types of Facelifts
- Facelift Guide
- The 9 Types of Facelift Procedures
- Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
- A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study
