Facelift

A facelift, is a surgical procedure that smooths out the wrinkles of the face and neck. Wrinkles are caused by stretching and thinning of the skin or facial fat due to facial expression, sun damage or the pull of gravity over the years.

It is easy to see that genetics play a part because we all look like our parents in part. So there are people who have good genes that don’t develop wrinkles as quickly or as badly. It is especially true in those who are non-smokers and have a healthy diet and exercise program.

The most sort after improvements are the pulling up of the cheek jowls, minimising the fold between the nose and the corner of the mouth and tightening of the loose skin of the neck.

Other procedure that could be done at the time of facelift could be a brow lift and eyelid lifting. Fillers, both artificial and natural (your own fat or skin dermis) may also be beneficial

What facelift surgery does not do

A facelift does not make people look like someone else, it does make them look like younger and prettier versions of themselves.

How to predict the result of a facelift?

A simple way is to look at your face with a hand mirror while sitting up. Then look at your face laying flat on your back. If you see significant improvement you will have that improvement after face lifting. If you like it, go for it, but if the improvement does not meet your expectation wait a few more years.

Minimally invasive procedures instead of facelift

Minimally invasive procedures such as the numerous injections and fillers available will temporarily improve the looks but cannot achieve the same result of facelifts. Thread lifts and fillers may serve to delay the time for facelift and complement the results of surgery.

Stem cell “facelifts” are not proven to be beneficial so far.