ANTIAGING TREATMENTS: FACIAL
Facial Cosmetic Surgery
With age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun,
and the stresses of daily life can be seen in our faces,
with changes in its deep structures.
The aging face not only loses skin elasticity and develops
looser droopy skin, but also loses fat and muscle tone.
There is a downward descent of the facial fat and skin,
which comes to rest at natural places in the face, such
as the creases by the nose and mouth, along the jaw
line, and in the neck.
Changes in the neck and eyes also occur, including
the accumulation of fat and loose skin.
A facelift [rhytidectomy]
can't stop this aging process but it can "set back
the clock," improving the most visible signs of
aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying
muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck.
By repairing muscles and restoring the underlying
structures, patients can achieve a refreshed look without
exaggerated skin tightness.
A face lift does not
get rid of skin wrinkles. Skin treatments such as chemical
peels, microdermabrasion
or laser
resurfacing improve skin quality and can be performed
before or after a face lift.
For cosmetic surgery purposes the face is divided
into 3 zones.
- Upper Face - The forehead, eyebrows
and upper eyelids
- Mid Face - The lower eyelids and
cheeks
- Lower Face - begins at the mouth
and includes the jaw and neck.
The goal of facial surgery should be to restore the
facial structures to a natural, more youthful position.
Discrete placement of incisions following the natural
curves of the ear blend easily and do not attract visual
attention.
The procedures used depend upon age, skin condition
and facial area.
The majority of work is performed on the structures
beneath the skin, with each layer adjusted back to their
natural proper position such that the natural shape
and the curves of the face are restored. Following this,
excess stretched skin is removed and the skin is gently
redraped over the face.
Quick Fix Face Lifts
In these procedures, only the skin is stretched, no
underlying tissue replacement is done. This results
in distortion of facial features and a pulled, mask-like
appearance. The face is flattened but not rejuvenated.These
"skin-only" face lifts are of very short duration
and should be avoided.
A facelift
can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures
such as a chemical
peels, implants, dermal
fillers, Botox,
forehead lift, eyelid
surgery, or nose reshaping.
More on Face Lifts
Procedure
Most procedures are performed in an outpatient setting.
- An incision is made starting in the hair or hairline
above and in front of the ear (the temporal region),
extended downward in front of the ear, under the ear
and then upward behind the ear ending in the hair
or hairline behind the ear.
- The skin and fatty tissues is lifted off the underlying
muscle and tissue as far forward as is necessary to
correct the loose skin problem.
- The underlying muscle and tissue can be tightened
with sutures if the surgeon feels it is necessary.
- The skin is pulled back and upward and the excess
skin removed.
- The opening is closed with sutures and skin staples.
- A drain often placed in the wound to remove excess
blood.
- Bandages are applied.
After Care
- Dressings are removed after approximately 3-5 days.
- Recovery time is usually one week but activities
can begin the day after surgery.
- Pain and discomfort are usually minimal.
Complications
These may include:
- Bleeding, haematoma, bruising
- Infection
- Temporary loss of muscle function or sensation
- Widened or thickened scar
- Loss of hair around the incision site
- Asymmetry between two sides
- Skin necrosis
Results
A face lift results
in an overall more youthful appearance, and is generally
very satisfying to patients. The effects last about
10 years, when repeat procedures may be carried out.
For Details On Each
Face Lift Procedure
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