Face Lift Surgery

The goal of face lift surgery is to remove excess fatty tissue, tighten underlying facial muscles, and smooth facial skin – all with minimal scarring. Several types of face lift surgery procedures are available, including the standard face lift, the lower or mid facelift, and the modified mini, or "weekend," face lift. Usually completed on an outpatient basis, these options can be performed using general anesthesia or a local anesthesia and sedative combination. Read on to learn more about what happens during the actual face lift procedure.

The Face Lift Procedure

During face lift surgery, the plastic surgeon begins by making an incision (usually above the hairline) and separating the facial skin from the underlying tissue. Excess fat and skin are removed, and the surrounding muscles are tightened to improve the contours and appearance of the patient’s face. The skin is then repositioned with stitches or staples, and the treated area is wrapped in bandages. The removal of accumulated fat and excess skin generally results in a noticeable reduction of sagging and age lines in the face. Combined with the tightening of facial muscles, such face lift surgery procedures can give patients a refreshed, younger-looking, and more vibrant appearance.

Following face lift surgery, the healing process will last several weeks. During this time, pain medication is usually prescribed, and physical and social activity may be limited initially. Because incisions are made above the hairline whenever possible, virtually any scarring will be obscured by the patient’s hair. For older patients seeking substantial alterations to their appearance, face lift surgery is likely to be more invasive than for patients in their 30s and 40s, who often require relatively slight adjustments to counteract moderate signs of aging. For detailed information about the recovery associated with various face lift surgery procedures, see the DocShop section on face lift recovery.

Anesthesia

Often face lift surgery procedures can be performed using local anesthesia. This gives patients the option of remaining relatively alert during their face lift, although general anesthesia is always an option. During more intensive procedures, general anesthesia may be required. In many cases, the length of a patient’s face lift surgery determines whether local or general anesthesia will be used. Since many of the complications associated with face lift procedures result from negative reactions to anesthesia, patients should discuss possible face lift risks with their cosmetic surgeon.

Location of Face Lift Incisions

In placing incisions during face lift surgery, cosmetic surgeons aim for the best combination of effectiveness and discretion. Incisions are commonly made above the hairline so that any scarring forming after the face lift will remain unseen. They may also follow natural facial creases (e.g., the line where the ear meets the side of the face), since these locations heal well and hide possible scarring better than other areas. In most face lift surgery procedures, the incision begins behind the hairline on the side of the head, somewhat above the temple. It then follows the hairline down to the ear, running along the crease between the ear and the cheek, wrapping around the earlobe, and continuing into the lower scalp under the hair.

Find a Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Your Area

One of the most important things to consider when deciding on face lift surgery is the training and experience of your cosmetic surgeon. Face lift surgery and other facial plastic surgery procedures are more likely to be successful when the surgeon is very familiar with the specific techniques required. Use DocShop to locate a qualified face lift expert in your area today.