WHAT IS FACELIFT?
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that reduces signs of aging in the cheek, midface, jawline, and neck areas. Rhytidectomy means wrinkle (rhytid-) removal (-ectomy), indicating the surgery's primary objective. However, a facelift does not only eliminate wrinkles and deep lines in the skin; it also abolishes folds and saggy jowls from the face and loose skin surrounding the neck. Our facelift surgeons in Miami treat all aging areas to produce natural-looking contours without looking "windblown." Your incisions' size and exact location will depend on the targeted areas for treatment and your desired results. Most incisions are placed behind the ear or along the hairline for easy concealment, so only you are privy to the secret behind your youthful radiance.
FACELIFT BENEFITS
Facelift surgery has various benefits; each surgical technique provides a focused advantage. You will notice instant aesthetic results with minimal scarring no matter which facelift method you choose. A rhytidectomy tightens skin in the face and neck through tiny incisions placed discreetly (typically behind the ear or along the hairline) for virtually invisible scars. The results of a facelift are long-lasting, lasting up to 15 years and taking at least 20 years off the face. It can also be combined with other cosmetic procedures to reduce recovery time and produce a flawless final look. Our patients report complete satisfaction with their results and improved self-esteem following their healing!
WHAT DOES A FACELIFT CORRECTS?
Facelift surgery corrects the following signs of aging:
- Deep wrinkles
- Forehead lines
- Nasolabial folds
- Hollow cheeks
- Sagging jowls
- Drooping brow
- Double chin
- Hanging neck
TYPES OF FACELIFTS
Traditional or Full Facelift
- The traditional facelift surgery tightens facial muscles and removes excess fat in the face and neck through incisions around the ears, hairline, and beneath the chin. This type of facelift is the most popular and delivers the most striking transformation.
Mid-Facelift
- The mid-facelift follows the traditional method, but it also reconstructs the muscle tissue in the face. The midportion of the face, which usually is not altered by a traditional facelift, is further lifted through this extra step.
Mini Facelift
- The mini facelift is deemed a "one-hour facelift." It quickly but effectively restores the middle of the face, jawline, and lower eyelids. While a mini rhytidectomy modifies the jowls and upper neck regions, it is not entirely adequate for patients with severe sagging throughout the neck.
Lower Facelift
- A lower facelift targets the jawline and neck. The incision is only placed around the ear, where the jowls and fleshy neck are easily accessed. Lower rhytidectomy is best-suited for patients with laxity in the bottommost facial regions.
Thread Facelift
- The thread facelift, also known as the "lunchtime lift," is a non-surgical facelift technique that uses clear injectable threads to re-position and lift facial tissue.It can be performed without anesthesia, yields immediate results, and is ideal for patients with minimal laxity in the cheeks and jawline.
FACELIFT TREATMENT AREAS
Common facelift procedures focuses in three primary treatment areas:
- Forehead Facelift
- Midsection Facelift
- Lowersection & Neck Facelift
FACELIFT TECHNIQUES
SMAS Facelift Technique
The SMAS facelift technique targets sagging skin and underlying facial muscles. Our Miami Aesthetic facelift surgeons create the incision along the hairline, so it remains camouflaged as it reaches the back of the ear. The SMAS rhytidectomy dramatically reverses signs of aging and produces a youthful appearance in those with severe drooping in the face and neck. Individuals with clear signs of aging most commonly request this facelift method.
Body Aesthetic Center Facelift Technique
The Body Aesthetic CenterS facelift technique improves the underlying muscular structures of the face. To limit the possibility of scarring, our Miami facelift surgeons create an opening down the front of each ear from the hairline but do not extend it past the earlobe. They tighten the muscles beneath the skin and drape it to appear naturally taut. The MACS rhytidectomy works best on patients with mild-to-moderate sagging who seek to delay the onset of facial aging.
Cutaneous Facelift Technique
The cutaneous facelift technique is one of the earliest rhytidectomy methods concentrating on excess sagging skin. Our facelift surgeons in Miami create a localized incision on the hairline to tighten the skin and remove excess. Also known as the "skin-only" facelift, this technique leaves the muscles and fat tissues untouched. The cutaneous facelift works best on those with good muscle tone but whose skin loses elasticity in some problem areas.
S-Lift Facelift Technique
The S-Lift facelift technique derives its name from the small S-shaped incision made in the front of the patient's ear. This technique is most commonly utilized when performing a mini facelift or for more specific degrees of change. Other facelift techniques are more invasive, with incisions tailored for more comprehensive changes. The S-Lift rhytidectomy technique allows the surgeon to trim, smoothen, and tighten the skin for a more refreshed look.
MALE VS FEMALE FACELIFT
Our board-certified facelift surgeons in Miami understand the significant difference between male and female facial structures. Men have heavier facial tissue and require sharper jaw and neck contours to appear natural. Women, in contrast, desire softer folds and ovular curves on the face and neck. Male facelifts often follow a more traditional approach, using the SMAS method, whereas female facelifts achieve delicate contours with less invasive techniques. We carefully design and contour each patient's features for a customized, youthful finish.
FACELIFT RECOVERY
Your facelift recovery timeline will depend on the type of facelift, surgical technique, and your body's natural healing process. A bandage is typically applied around the face after rhytidectomy to reduce bruising and swelling. Our Miami facelift surgeons place facelift drains (small tubes) under the skin to discharge excess fluid and blood. The drains stay inserted overnight to 2 days after surgery and are removed at your follow-up appointment. Swelling and bruising will peak in the first week, but most patients fully recover and return to normal activities afterward. One month after rhytidectomy, your sutures will be removed to showcase your new facial contours. While your face will appear refined after the first month, your final results will reflect after 6 months, as it fully settles and perfects.
FACELIFT RESULTS
Facelift results last up to 15 years. The final results of a facelift can take 6 months of healing to fully show, but most patients do not feel they need further enhancements for a long time thereafter. Patients often combine a facelift with other cosmetic procedures for a more fresh-faced result. Face procedures that are often combined with facelift surgery include eyelid surgery, brow lift, chin implants, and dermal fillers. Rhytidectomy is also commonly combined with body-shaping procedures like liposuction, breast augmentations, and breast lifts to reduce recovery time and deliver consistently stunning results throughout the body.
CANDIDATES FOR A FACELIFT
AT Body Aesthetic Center
The best candidates for a facelift (rhytidectomy) are physically healthy, do not smoke, and do not have medical conditions that affect their body's ability to heal or undergo anesthesia. Ideal candidates for a traditional facelift are in their 40s to 60s with signs of facial aging and descent skin elasticity. Younger patients are often better-suited for mini facelifts, thread facelifts, and liquid facelifts, depending on their skin quality, muscular features, and desired results.
FACELIFT FAQS
A facelift is performed in different ways depending on the elected rhytidectomy method. Generally, the facelift surgeon creates an incision near the hairline, ear, or beneath the chin to access the treatment area. Afterward, the surgeon redistributes fat, tightens muscle layers, trims away excess skin, and redrapes the remaining skin over the new contours.
A facelift procedure poses risks as any other surgery would. Some complications associated with rhytidectomy include:
- Nerve injury
- Infection
- Complications with anesthesia
- Hematoma
- Skin necrosis
- Loss of hair around the incision site
- Numbness
As this is not a comprehensive list of risks, your Miami Aesthetic surgeon will evaluate your medical history and discuss potential risks at your first consultation.
Call your surgeon or health care provider if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Extreme swelling and pain
- Bleeding that drenches your bandage
- Pus or other abnormal discharge from the incision site(s)
- Your sutures have fallen before you are scheduled to have them removed
The average cost of a facelift (rhytidectomy) at Body Aesthetic Center ranges from $10,000 to $20,000USD, depending on the chosen method and technique. Our board-certified surgeons will provide you with personalized pricing at your first consultation.
Facelift surgery results can last up to 15 years. However, since it does not halt the aging process, patients may need to return for touch-ups after several years or periodically, depending on their desired look.
It takes approximately 6 months for facelift incisions to fade from red and pink to a lighter color. Eventually, it will fade to a hue that blends with your skin tone. Body Aesthetic Center provides patients with exclusive scar care guidelines to help heal the incisions and fade the scars as efficiently as possible. General instructions include:
- Do not smoke
- Use sunscreen
- Avoid direct sun exposure
- Moisturize skin consistently
- Eat high-protein foods and stay hydrated
Body Aesthetic Center's facelift surgeons place incisions in inconspicuous areas where they can be easily camouflaged within the natural lines and contours of the face, such as the hairline, around the ear, and underneath the chin. Nonetheless, the placement of your particular incisions will depend on the type of surgery, the severity of your concerns, and your surgeon's recommendations.
Avoid showering for 48 hours after your facelift. Your Miami Aesthetic facelift surgeon will provide specific instructions. However, it is essential to wash your face and hair gently to avoid complications. Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, and baths for two weeks after surgery.
Yes, a facelift (rhytidectomy) can be safely paired with other face and body procedures. Procedures that are often combined with a facelift include (but are not limited to):
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Brow lift (or forehead lift)
- Chin implants
- Dermabrasion
- Dermal fillers
- Liposuction
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift
Pairing other procedures with your facelift reduces healing time and helps you achieve consistent, younger-looking results throughout your face and body.