A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to help smooth folds of skin and reduce sagging skin on the face. It’s the most effective approach to treat signs of aging.

Facelift goals

• Lifts and tightens sagging facial tissues. It is focused on the bottom two-thirds of the face.
• Smooths out severe wrinkles and sagging skin in the areas of nasolabial folds, wrinkles on the lower jaw, temples, loss of volume in the cheeks, and the entire face in general.
• Smooths and contours the face.

Procedure

During the procedure, the plastic surgeon will remove the excess fat, will elevate the skin and will tighten the tissues and muscles.
Manipulations are performed on a single anatomical unit called SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), which includes the ligaments, muscles and other supporting structures of the face.
Facelift’s goal is to restore these structures where they used to be.

Incision

This incision is the great advantage of the facelift, as it can be hidden in the scalp. There is only one exposed part of the incision, around the ear, although as it is inside a natural fold of skin, it is barely noticeable.
Minimum scars are made, as structures now rest on the underlying layers and not on the skin, as it was in the past.

Cost

The cost is estimated on a case-by-case basis.

Information

About 2,5 hours.

General.

Tolerable.
Painkillers may be needed.

Immediate.
Final results after swelling subsides.

Cold packs are placed on the face.
Patient must have the head elevated for 24 hours to reduce swelling.

After the stiches are removed, the patient must massage the scar with silicone gel.

All absorbable.
Drains are rarely placed and removed in 2 – 4 days.

Quick return to activities.

Patient can:

  • shower 2 days after surgery.
  • shampoo 4 days after surgery.
  • return to work 1-2 weeks after the surgery (depending on the operation).
  • drive.

Patient cannot:

  • do vigorous activities for at least 6 weeks.
  • lifts weights for at least 6 weeks.

Regular appointments.

FAQ

How long do facelift results last?
The patient who chooses to have a facelift will have a better appearance for the rest of his life. The benefits of a facelift last on average of 10 years. Of course, the result depends on many factors such as the quality and type of the skin, the age of the patient when th operation was performed and the entire lifestyle the patient chooses to have.

What is the ideal age to have a facelift?
This is determined by the degree of the skin relaxation, which is the result of many different factors. In some people appears during the 4th decade and in others during the 5th decade of their lives. Early treatment, although, gives us the best results.