Why is the skin on our bodies that is the most exposed to the elements day in and day out among the thinnest on the entire body? Such is the case with much of the skin on our faces. We beat it up with sun and environmental damage. It loses more and more collagen, the skin’s structural support system. Throw in the stresses and anxieties that can be a part of everyday life. What you’re left with is deep creases beside the mouth, hanging jowls, sunken cheeks, loose skin and banding on the neck, and an overall looser face.

In some recent blogs, we’ve been talking a lot about the non-invasive treatments, such as FaceTite, that Dr. Smith offers our patients for skin tightening across the face. But when a patient has more advanced sagging, a facelift is really the way to turn back the clock. In his facelift surgeries, Dr. Smith removes loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying muscle and tissue, and removes excess fat. The result is a face that looks 10 to 15 years younger.

Don’t forget the facelift, one of the original cosmetic surgeries.

Are there different types of facelifts?

The facelift is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures, practiced in one form or another since early in the last century. Most of those facelifts would now be known as “traditional” or “full” facelifts. But with the addition of endoscopes and advanced techniques, Dr. Smith can perform a variety of different facelift methods depending on your particular needs.

• Traditional facelift —This procedure involves the largest degree of lifting and repositioning of the muscles and other involved tissues. A full facelift aims to rejuvenate the face, jowls, and neck. Excess skin is trimmed before being re-draped. Incisions begin at the temples on each side of the face, run down in front of the ears, wrap around the earlobes, and terminate in the hairline behind the ears. If there is excessive neck sagging, a second incision may be made under the chin to better access, lift, tighten, and trim the involved skin and muscle on the upper neck.
• Mid-face lift — This lift focuses on the middle of the face, particularly the cheeks. Mid-face lifts can reduce puffiness under the eyes, correct nasolabial folds, and improve the definition of the cheeks. In mid-face lifts, Dr. Smith usually makes small incisions in the lower eyelids or the mouth.
• Limited-incision facelift — This method can be a good option when a patient doesn’t have as much sagging. This facelift provides limited rejuvenation around the eyes and mouth, including nasolabial folds and other deep creases. Shorter incisions are made at the temples, around the ears, and possibly in the lower eyelids and/or under the upper lip.
• Neck lift — Neck lifts are not actually facelifts but are often combined with a facelift to address sagging and banding in the neck. A neck lift focuses on the jowls and fat under the chin. Incisions are made around the earlobe and behind the ear into the lower scalp. If needed, an additional incision is made under the chin.

Want to take 10-15 years off your age? Don’t forget about the trusty facelift. Call Dr. Smith at (843) 823-6913 to schedule your consultation.