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What is a Facelift?

Posted April 18, 2017 in Plastic Surgery

What is a Facelift? | Newport Plastic Surgery | Orange CountyFacelift surgery, clinically known as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at reducing the facial signs of aging that may appear over the years due to a variety of factors. Facelift can successfully restore a younger looking face and jaw and provide a subtle lift to the face by tightening the loose underlying facial muscles.

In many cases, facelift surgery may be performed in conjunction with neck lift, facial or neck liposuction, or upper facelift lift surgeries such as brow lift and eyelid lift. Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Angela Champion provides facelift to patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and surrounding communities.

 

Traditional or Standard Facelift

One of the more comprehensive ways to perform facelift surgery is by using the traditional or standard facelift technique. This procedure will address the lower two-thirds of the face and neck. Loose skin and excess fat tissue from the face will be removed and the underlying facial muscles will be tightened. Some of the key cosmetic issues that can be improved with a standard facelift surgery include:

  • Creating smoother, tighter facial skin
  • Reducing or redistributing facial fat more evenly
  • Improving sagging jowls
  • Reducing the lines and creases below the lower eyelids
  • Minimizing wrinkles around the mouth
  • Providing a subtle lift to the mid-face
  • Reducing double chin

 

Endoscopic Facelift

In some cases, the surgeon may recommend the endoscopic facelift technique, which is relatively less invasive and produces minimal scarring. Very small incisions will be created in the targeted areas of the face. The surgeon will insert a tiny camera to view the internal structures and perform lifting of the upper face and mid-face.

An endoscopic facelift can typically improve the following conditions:

  • Drooping brows
  • Frown lines
  • Sagging cheeks and cheek folds
  • Sagging mid-face and jowls
  • Fine lines around the mouth

Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Champion receives patients from Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and other cities and neighborhoods across the horizon for facelift and various other cosmetic procedures.

 

Surgical Procedure

In a traditional facelift surgery, the surgeon will make an incision just above the hairline to keep the scars hidden. Wherever required, the incisions will follow the natural facial creases because these locations heal better and keep the scars discreet.

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will place the incision behind the hairline, which will then go down to the ear, running along the crease between the ear and the cheek, continuing into the lower scalp.

The surgeon will then gently lift the facial skin from the underlying tissue through the incision. Excess fat and skin will be removed and the sagging muscles will be tightened to create more youthful contours. The loose skin will be excised, and the remaining skin will be re-draped smoothly over the face. The surgeon will then close the incisions with sutures.

To create more uniform and natural looking results, facelift surgery is often performed together with forehead lift or eyelid lift surgeries. Face or neck liposuction may be used if the patient has excess fat deposits in certain areas.


Experienced
cosmetic surgeon Dr. Champion receives patients from Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and other cities in this part of California for breast augmentation.