What are facelifts?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure designed to hide the effects of aging by removing wrinkles. It involves removing excess skin from the neck, chin and cheek areas and smoothing out what is remaining, whilst at the same time tightening the tissue underneath. Both men and women can undergo the procedure either for cosmetic/aesthetic purposes or even for medical/reconstructive purposes. There are various methods for doing this, all of which will be outlined here after the traditional method. Your surgeon will discuss with you all of the options available so that you can make an informed decision as to what method is right for you.

The traditional method of carrying out a facelift involves making an incision that follows the hairline; starting at the temple and flowing down and around as it curves behind the ears underneath and back up to the next ear, curving around that one and returning into the hair. If your jaw line is also sagging then the incision will go under the chin to correct this issue. After this incision is completed, the skin is lifted, pulled back and then the excess skin that is now overlapping is trimmed away

Excess fat is removed, the muscles are tightened and the skin is reattached where the incision was initially made. This is done with the use of stitches in some cases with metal clips also an option in some cases. As with other procedures, the initial incisions are made so that visible scarring is minimal, with the scars hidden away behind the ears and in the hair. After the surgery is completed, you can expect a hospital stay for around one or two days.

Keyhole surgery will involve smaller cuts in the skin and along with other operating instruments an endoscope (a flexible tube with a light and camera on the end) is passed through this incision. As a result of the camera, the surgeon is then able to view the operation on a TV screen. The result includes smaller scars than the traditional method.

MACS, or Minimal Access Cranial Suspension involves incisions that are again smaller than the traditional method. These incisions are made in the temple and in front of the ears and re-stitched with permanent stitches.