Face Lift - Different Types of Face Lifts

A facelift is also called a rhytidectomy, which is an operation to lift up the facial skin and tissues or the underlying muscle, to make the face tighter and smoother. Face lifts are designed to reduce the slackness in the tissues of the face; a face lift tightens or excises muscle, fat and skin, producing a more youthful, rested appearance. Generally speaking, face lift procedures only address the two-thirds of the face, although a surgery can combine both face lift and eyelid surgery or browlift.

Traditionally, the face is divided into three zones. The upper face includes the forehead above the eyebrows. The mid-face includes the eyebrows, eyes, nose, cheeks and ends at the sub nasal line just beneath the nose. The lower face is the remainder, the lower cheeks, jaw line and mouth. The upper portion of the mid-face can further be divided into five equal segments: the eyes occupy two zones; one zone extends from one medial canthus to the other and contains the root of the nose. The last two zones encompass the area from the lateral canthi to the temple. The five zones should be of equal size for facial harmony.

For individuals interested in reducing sagging in the facial area, face lifts may be the best way to address the problem. A facelift is a surgical method that removes excess facial skin to make the face appear younger. However, the aging face not only loses skin elasticity and develops looser droopy skin, but also loses fat and muscle tone.

Facelift cosmetic surgery is a complex procedure that treats severe wrinkles to restore a more youthful appearance. The degree of improvement varies from individual to individual, and is influenced by the physical traits of the skin, and the amount of sun damage, the underlying bony structure and a variety of other factors.

Facelift plastic surgery is performed by making an incision at the temples above the hairline. The incision typically extends downward, along the natural creases in the skin, in front of the ear, below the ear lobe, and behind the ear. Making the incision in the natural creases helps hide scarring after surgery. The surgeon then separates the skin and muscles of the face from the deeper facial tissues.

As you get older, signs of aging appear initially in the face as wrinkles, looser skin, crow's feet, and a variety of other skin defects. They combine to reduce the vigor of your face, which is the most prominent feature of your persona. Though you may feel youthful and energetic on the inside, people won't see this if you appear to be weathered. A plastic surgery face lift can reverse these obvious signs of aging and give you back decades.

To effect a more complete facial rejuvenation, facelifts are frequently done in conjunction with other procedures such as upper eyelid blepharoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty . Your surgeon may also recommend injections of collagen or Botox for deep creases in your forehead or frown lines between your eyebrows.

Complications of facelift surgery:

The risks and complications that are associated with facelift surgery include:

• Bleeding, hematoma, bruising.
• Infection.
• Neurological dysfunction.
• Widened or thickened scar.
• Loss of hair.
• Abnormal facial contour.
• Anesthesia reaction.
• Attached earlobe.
• Depression.
• Discoloration.
• Loss of sideburns.
• Nerve Damage.
• Reactions to medications.
• Swelling.
• Tight face.
• Visible scar.

Different Types Of Face Lifts:

There are several available techniques of the face lift. Some of these are as:-

• SMAS (Superficial muscular Aponeurotic System) Lift: The SMAS is responsible for your facial movements. Without it you would not be able to smile or appear animated. This area is lifted up and out -- diagonally would be the best way to explain it.  This can be done with the Platysma lift for increased rejuvenation.  Read more below.

• Platysma Lift (neck lift): It is in conjunction with a SMAS lift -- this is the best usually, but most expensive and a longer operation.  With the Platysma lift, the platysma muscles are tightened and then sutured as well as the hanging skin and excess fat is removed to result in a more youthful neck, post-operatively.

• Mini Lift:  Some surgeons consider the lateral lift with incisions directly in front of the ear only, a mini-lift of sorts.  It can sort of help with nasolabial folds.