What is a Facelift?

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Turning Back Time: Facelift surgery

The question “What is a facelift?” crosses the minds of thousands and even millions of individuals in our society at some point during their lives.  A facelift is a form of cosmetic surgery used to improve the appearance of the face through the removal of excess skin and smoothing out wrinkles.  In this world where the beauty of a person’s face matters at least as much as what he or she can accomplish, plastic surgery has become extremely popular.  People want to retain a smooth, youthful quality to their appearances in spite of the effects of age.  And, since the face generates a significant amount of attention, facial rejuvenation through receiving facelift surgery is a commonly sought out procedure.  To help readers understand how a facelift works, this article will answer the question of “What is a facelift?” and go over who can receive one, the potential risks associated with the procedure, and reasons to have the procedure.

What is a Facelift?

What is a facelift, and how does it work?  As previously stated, a facelift is a kind of plastic surgery.  In the traditional surgical full facelift, more formally known as a rhytidectomy, a doctor will take away excess skin on the face and fix the way the skin drapes on the patient’s face and neck so that it appears more youthful and natural.  For the actual procedure, the doctor makes an incision in front of the patient’s ear that extends upward into the hairline and downward around and behind the bottom and back of the ear.  Then the skin is separated from the tissues underneath, which tissues may also be tightened by the doctor.  After this point, the doctor then fixes the way the skin drapes in the way described above, and finally he removes the excess skin.  The entire procedure takes anywhere from one to six hours and can be done with local anesthetic or with the patient under general anesthesia. 

Who Should Get a Facelift?

Depending on medical history, almost any individual who wants to know, “What is a facelift?” and is in good physical and mental health can qualify for the procedure.  Typically those who are aged 40 to 70 are most likely to have the surgery.  This procedure is especially popular with people ages 40 and older, as the effects that generally lead to the desire for a facelift are those that happen with aging.  Facelift surgery has been performed on interested individuals for over a century all over the world.  It is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery, along with liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, breast reduction, rhinoplasty or “nose job”, and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). 

What are the Risks of Getting a Facelift?

Potential patients should know what is a facelift surgery risk before they receive the surgery.  One risk of getting a facelift is scarring from the incisions.  However, these incisions are small and are usually hidden within the hairline.  Along with this concern is the rare possibility of losing hair along the incision lines.  For men, facelift plastic surgery can cause the sideburns to look unnatural if the skin is not pulled back in a smooth, appropriate way.  The windswept look can appear on any individual if the skin is not lifted skillfully or if the facial bones have shifted or changed in any way due to the natural process of aging.  Of the common complications after surgical procedures, what is a facelift likely to cause?  Complications that may arise after surgery including bleeding or damaged nerves, which may warrant a return to the surgeon, as well as numbness, inflammation, and scarring, among others.  People who have diabetes or high blood pressure as well as those who smoke have a greater risk of complications after facelift surgery. 

Why Get a Facelift?

What is a facelift going to do for the individual?  Facelift surgery leaves the patient with the smooth, wrinkle free face he or she remembers looking at in the mirror in the past, or the face he or she always desired.  Some people may desire a more youthful face and neck.  These individuals can learn greater details in answer to their question of “What is a facelift” because it can indeed help formulate a smoother neck shape, creating not only a younger looking face but also a younger looking neck.  Indeed, this cosmetic surgery can also be combined with blepharoplasty, liposuction, or other procedures to improve several areas all at once.  Generally, if the patient seeks out a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, he or she will be able to achieve the expected results through facelift surgery.  After a detailed discussion with the plastic surgeon, the interested individual will know in greater detail what the procedure will be like, how to prepare for the surgery, what recovery will require, and other pertinent information.