A facelift is a specialized surgical procedure that corrects sagging, folding, and creasing of the facial skin, especially those folds that occur on the lower cheeks and along the jawline. It’s called a facelift because the skin is literally raised, the result being smoother skin that shows fewer wrinkles. Interested patients can learn more about this procedure by scheduling a consultation with our plastic surgeon in New Jersey.
Adults dealing with some of the more severe signs of aging often find that short-term solutions such as chemical peels and dermabrasion are no longer effective at smoothing the skin. Replacement skin is often just as subject to wrinkling as the damaged skin it replaces. A facelift is a more long-term solution, with positive results lasting for up to a decade.
Benefits of a Facelift Procedure
The idea is to smooth the skin permanently and eliminate sagging and folding along the jawline. Fat deposits, changes in the way the facial muscles hold the skin in place, and skin that is no longer supple because of a decrease in collagen and retained moisture are the usual culprits.
The procedure can correct sagging, folding, and the appearance of nasolabial folds between the mouth and nose. The skin itself isn’t being treated with chemicals or by abrasive resurfacing, so the treatment is suitable for most all skin textures and skin thicknesses.
How It’s Done
It’s important to understand that a facelift is a surgical procedure, and although it’s a relatively simple surgery, the client must understand the procedure in full so that there won’t be any surprises afterward. We give the patient realistic outcome predictions during the consultation sessions. The patient needs to be aware of the recovery steps after the surgery is completed. Recovery time will depend on factors such as the extent of the procedure performed.
A traditional facelift is performed by removing drooping, unwanted fat and repositioning muscle. Excess skin is also removed, and the remaining skin is pulled tight.
This smooths the facial skin and eliminates drooping along the jawline. If a smaller area of skin needs to be addressed, a limited facelift procedure may be performed instead. This procedure eliminates the appearance of jowls and the folds that occur just above. Recovery time for this procedure is much shorter than for a traditional facelift.
Sedation is necessary, so someone else needs to be on hand to drive the client home afterward. The stitches and any inserted drain tubes will be removed during a follow-up visit.
Long-Lasting Results
Most of our clients choose to have this procedure performed after years of treating skin problems via peel treatments, dermabrasion, light therapy, or other techniques. The older one gets, the less effective these treatments are because they don’t target the problem of sagging skin due to fat buildup. A facelift yields long-lasting results, and the more youthful appearance the individual is often much more dramatic results than alternative treatments.
Get more information about what a facelift can do for your appearance at the office of Dr. Gregory E. Rauscher, located in Hackensack, NJ. Contact us today to get honest answers to your questions.
