Facelifts, or rhytidectomy, which is literally the removal of wrinkles, is a procedure used in cosmetic surgery to give an individual a more youthful appearance. This is usually achieved by the removal of excess skin, the tightening of the underlying muscles and a redraping of the skin around a person’s face and neck.
The aging face does not only lose elasticity, develop wrinkles and looser skin; it also loses muscle tone and fatty structures under the skin. Often, additional procedures are necessary to achieve the best results. One facelift can do wonders, but in certain circumstances more than one procedure is needed to achieve maximum results. Some of the options for cosmetic surgery in and around the face include: neck lifts, eyelifts or surgery around the eyes to repair or remove “bags” under the eyes or droopy eyelids, liposuction to remove excess fatty deposits; fat injection, to add roundness and tighten skin; removal of the cheek’s fat pad, forehead lift and brow lift. Chemical or laser peels are also available as are malar (cheek), submalar or chin implants.
As we age, gravity and exposure to the sun, wind and the day to day grind of life in general take their toll. All these external factors can be seen in the face. Creases or wrinkles form around the eyes and mouth, the cheeks droop and become jowly and fat deposits form around the neck.
A facelift cannot stop the aging process, but it can give the appearance of youthfulness by erasing the signs of aging. The loose skin is tightened up, fatty deposits are removed and wrinkles are all but erased. If you are an older person between the ages of 40 and 60, then you might be a good candidate to consider facelifts. A facelift can increase your self-confidence and make you feel better about yourself. The right kind of facelift done by a reputable surgeon can make you feel more vibrant, more confident, and help you present a better “face” to the world, both on the outside and the inside.