Signs of aging are:
- relaxation or sagging of the skin
- deeper fold lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth
- a disappearance of the subcutaneous fat tissue (atrophy)
- pendulous skin on the jaw region
- formation of a double chin.
The loss of youthful contours in the face can be due to a variety of factors:
- genetically determined
- exaggerated exposure to the sun
- smoking
- loss of facial fat
- thinning of the skin.
A facelift often consists of several interventions, such as eyelid correction or brow lift. Very often, the technique of lipofilling is also used to add volume to the face. Other procedures that help are dermabrasion, laser treatments or peelings.
A facelift will not stop the aging process. The procedure can only be performed by invasive surgery and minimally invasive procedures will never have the same effect.
A good candidate for a facelift is a patient in good general health and a non-smoker. It is important to have realistic expectations and to discuss this clearly with your plastic surgeon.
During the consultation, you should inform yourself thoroughly and your medical history will be noted. All options of the facelift will be discussed and photographs will often be taken for your medical record. The surgeon will examine your face and guide you in your choice of a specific technique. Possible complications and post-operative care will be discussed.
Take the time to ask all your questions. A facelift is not an urgent procedure and you should take all the time you need to take your decision.
It is important to fully understand the procedure.
The decision to undergo a facelift is a personal choice and should not be imposed. You should also be informed of possible complications such as:
- anesthesia
- bleeding
- infection
- poor wound healing
- hair loss in the scar region
- pain
- swelling
- skin problems
- asymmetry.
A facelift can sometimes be a combination of different steps or techniques. Additional interventions to obtain a rejuvenating result include peelings, laser treatments or injections of fatty tissue.
There are several techniques for a facelift - discuss with your plastic surgeon which one he or she uses. In a traditional facelift, the scar is located low in the anterior hairline and continues in front of the ear and, if necessary, behind the ear. The underlying tissues (fat tissue) are often draped to restore volume. Skin excess will be removed.
The wound is closed with classic sutures and you will receive specific instructions for wound care.