Facelift

Due to gravity and the loss of volume in the skin over time, the face is usually where signs of aging are the most noticeable. When it comes to removing wrinkles and sagging skin, the facelift is often seen as the most comprehensive solution to restoring a youthful and refreshed appearance.

Facelifts have evolved from merely tightening the skin to include many variations of procedures, which can smooth, tighten, remove, or reposition the skin, muscle, or fatty tissue of the face. This allows for a far more natural and customizable result. During your initial consultation, Dr. Paik will recommend a personalized facelift option that will provide you with the most revitalized, natural-looking results possible. To achieve the most comprehensive results, facelifts are often performed simultaneously with eyelid surgery or a brow lift to remove puffiness or bags around the skin and face.

The Mini Facelift

The mini facelift is ideal for patients who do not show advanced signs of aging, but are bothered by sagging skin in the lower face, jawline, and neck. Minimal incisions are made inconspicuously along the hairline or around the ear, and the skin and underlying deep connective tissue and muscle is gently lifted with sutures. Though recovery includes some bruising and swelling, patients are often able to return to normal activity within one to two weeks.

The Standard Facelift Procedure

The standard facelift is better suited for patients with more advanced signs of aging, such as sun-damaged and loose skin in the lower face, jaw line, and neck. The standard facelift provides greater, longer-lasting results by dissecting a flap and lifting the SMAS (deep connective tissue and muscular area of the face) layer of tissue, which is just beneath the skin and subcutaneous fat. This allows for greater lifting and repositioning of the tissues to create a more youthful appearance. Incisions are made along the sideburn down the front of the ear and potentially behind the ear along the posterior hairline. Since it usually includes a neck lift (platysmaplasty), greater rejuvenation and refinement of the neck can be achieved with this type of procedure. Patients should expect to return to normal activity after approximately two weeks.

The Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift goes beyond wrinkle removal to reposition and tighten the face from beneath the muscle-fascia tissue layers. This can improve advanced aging changes, such as heavy sagging along the jawline and greater improvement of the folds along the mouth. During the procedure, additional release of the underlying facial ligaments allow for greater repositioning of the tissues back to a more youthful position. Incisions follow the hairline from the temple to the area around the ears. Much like the standard facelift, the deep plane facelift often includes a neck lift for greater rejuvenation and refinement of the neck. Patients can expect a recovery time of at least two weeks after the procedure.

If you aren't sure you're ready for a permanent surgical procedure, you may be interested in seeing what non-surgical options are available at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery! Click here to learn more, or call our office at 812-469-3434.