When natural aging, lifestyle choices, or genetics lead to sagging skin on the face and neck, men and women may consider a surgical facelift. Known as rhytidectomy, this cosmetic surgery helps restore youthful facial volume and improve appearance. A facelift can benefit individuals from their late thirties into their seventies. However, it is essential to understand the best age range for the treatment.
Older Adults
Facelift surgery in Los Angeles is a cosmetic procedure that can help achieve a youthful appearance. It is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia, although sedatives or general anesthesia may be used. The procedure usually takes two to five hours, and you can go home soon. Its primary purpose is to tighten and smooth loose skin on your face and neck. It involves making incisions that hide scarring, separating the skin from underlying muscles and tissues, tightening these areas, and trimming excess skin. It can be performed on men and women of any age who have begun to notice the first signs of aging. Some of the most common reasons for having facelift surgery include a loss of elasticity and firmness in the face, wrinkles, creases, and jowls. This can happen as the body ages naturally or because of lifestyle factors like smoking and exposure to the sun. Modern facelift procedures are more refined and natural than older ones, focusing on skin tightening alone. Instead of pulling the skin tightly, surgeons are now repositioning underlying structures like cheek fat into a more youthful configuration and then tightening the facial skin around them. This approach is more effective and looks much more natural than the less sophisticated older approaches.
Middle Aged Adults
As we age, our skin loses its natural elasticity, becoming thinner and looser. Various factors, including smoking, sun damage, gravity, and heredity, often accelerate this process. These factors can lead to jowls, wrinkles around your neck and jawline, a double chin, and creases between your nose and mouth. To address these issues, a facelift procedure can be performed to tighten the skin on your face and improve sagging. Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon to perform this procedure is essential to achieve long-lasting results. A recent survey found that casual observers regarded women who had received a good facelift as younger and more successful. A complete or traditional facelift involves a surgical procedure under sedation and general anesthesia. An incision will begin in the hairline at the temples and continue during the facelift procedure, and the skin will be separated from the underlying muscle and fat. The excess fat is either sculpted or removed, and the muscles are tightened. Any excess skin is trimmed away, and the wound is carefully closed with stitches or tape. Some surgeons offer a less invasive technique for men who wish to reduce sagging in the middle and lower parts of their faces. This technique involves removing only excess skin for a tighter look rather than pulling the skin upwards. Additionally, this treatment can be combined with other cosmetic procedures like a brow lift or eyelid surgery, facial fat transfer, or injectables to restore volume and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Younger Adults
In the past, facelifts were designed to tuck loose skin under the chin. While this is still an essential part of the procedure, modern techniques have evolved to focus more on the underlying muscles and tissues, repositioning them into a more youthful configuration. This allows for a more natural and less “windblown” appearance after the facelift. Facelift surgery tightens the skin and helps prevent it from sagging again. The results of a complete or mini facelift can last up to ten years, depending on how well you take care of yourself. In addition, other cosmetic procedures such as a brow lift, forehead reduction, or nose or lip job can be done in conjunction with facelift surgery to enhance the overall results. A significant benefit of the facelift is that it can significantly reduce your perceived age by others. In one study, casual observers blinded to patients’ operative status rated them younger, more attractive, prosperous, and healthier than before the facelift. When performed by a qualified surgeon, the result is subtle enough that most people will not know you had a facelift. However, if you smoke or have other medical issues, the healing process will be slower, which can affect your facial features and cause scarring. As a result, you may need additional treatment to maintain the look you want. A good surgeon will be able to recognize these risks and provide a realistic outlook for your expectations.
Elderly Adults
When you’re older, collagen and elastin production slows down, leading to loose skin on the face and neck. A facelift can tighten and reposition underlying muscle and tissue and remove or redistribute fat for a youthful look. When performed by a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, a facelift can enhance your appearance and make you look younger. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and creases that come with age, although you may develop new ones over time as your body changes. According to a study, a facelift can positively affect how people perceive you by reducing your estimated age and enhancing your attractiveness, perceived success, and image scores. The procedure can be performed under general or local anesthesia, depending on your requirements. It usually takes around three to six hours to complete a facelift. After the surgery, you may need bandages to support and keep your skin clean. A tube can be inserted under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid if required. Opt for a less invasive mini-facelift procedure for patients with mild sagging or loose skin. It uses shorter cuts along your hairline and natural creases around the ears. It helps to rejuvenate the face, correct jowling, and refine the jawline.
