Five Face Lift Facts You Should Know!
Posted January 24, 2018
A Face Lift procedure does not treat the entire face.
It is a common misconception with patients seeking a cosmetic procedure for the face that a Face Lift will treat the entire face. A Face Lift procedure targets the lower half of the face and neck area that has been affected by aging. The eyes, eyebrows, and forehead are not addressed but can be combined with the Face Lift procedure if needed.
Aging facial muscles are not the reason for the sagging we see to the face as we age.
There are two main reasons for the aging effects of our faces. The first involves the fibro fatty layer of tissue that lies between the facial muscles and the skin. As we age, this layer begins to slide downward which leads to deepening of lines around the mouth, loss of volume to the cheek area and the jowling that occurs to the jawline. The second reason is the thinning of the skin and loss of elasticity that occurs in the skin as we age. This is the cause of sagging in the neck area.
A good surgical result should not be easily recognized.
An excellent result will have the patient looking refreshed but not pulled tight or wind-swept. If you have to re-introduce yourself to family and friends, it is not a good result. The purpose of the Face Lift is to give a rested, softer appearance. The jawline and neck will be smooth and contoured, taking years off a patient’s appearance.
A Face Lift does not treat the vertical lines above the lip.
The vertical lines around the lips are not treated with a Face Lift. These are best treated with non-invasive procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, laser or a chemical peel.
You may still need to use non-surgical treatments after a Face Lift.
Face Lifts will rejuvenate and improve the jaw and neckline but will not improve the skin, wrinkles, or address volume to the face and lips. Botox is used to address wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes and can be used in conjunction with fillers to address wrinkles around the mouth. Laser, medical grade skin care and micro-needling can be used to address many skin surface issues such as texture, pigment, pore size, small capillaries and tightening of the skin. Injectable fillers and/or fat grafting can be used to address volume to areas on the face that have lost volume or if the patient desires some enhancement.
