FACE LIFTS & FACIAL REJUVENATION
With age, our faces become more gaunt, and our skin less plump, with boundaries between facial zones becoming more obvious. Muscles and connective tissues give less support to skin and fat tissue, and facial bones may thin. Our unique facial expressions and lifestyles also have their part to play.
We can slow these changes with a good diet, exercise, by not smoking and avoiding excessive sun exposure. There are also non-surgical interventions, including Botox, Dermal Fillers and a range of effective skincare treatments. However, surgery remains the most effective way to combat the outward appearance of ageing.
We offer a diverse range of medical and surgical options to address facial ageing. While we treat each face as a whole, you may have specific concerns, which your surgeon will carefully take into account.
THE FACELIFT
This classic surgery for facial rejuvenation has evolved and now refers to a family of related, but often diverse operations. Your surgeon will spend time during a facelift sculpting and shaping the tissues to achieve more youthful, natural contours. For this, he may refer to photographs of your face in your 20s or 30s. Volume can be restored where needed, by augmenting with small amounts of your own fat. This process may also help to actively repair and regenerate the tissues into which fat is injected. Visible scarring is minimised by carefully breaking up any incisions, and a special technique is used to encourage hair growth through the healed scar.
During Surgery: The skin is lifted by gentle dissection and the deeper support structures are lifted, repositioned, tightened or augmented, depending on the surgical plan. The skin is then repositioned, the excess trimmed and the edges of the incision carefully sutured under minimal tension. An important composite layer of the face, the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) is used as the main ‘handle’ for lifting and repositioning facial tissues. This is a firm, strong layer that holds sutures well and makes the benefits of a facelift last – usually for at least 7-10 years – though your face will continue to age naturally.
CLASSIC OPEN FACE- AND NECK LIFT
During surgery: An incision is made from the sideburn down and around the ear. In men, it usually lies just in front of the ear to avoid distorting the beard skin, but in women, the incision is made behind the tragus within the ear. There is also an incision under the chin to address muscle banding and fat deposits in the front of the neck. Incisions can be tailored according to each patient, their hairline and their lifestyle.
FOGLI FACE AND NECK LIFT
For slight excess skin and muscle banding in the neck, a modified face and neck lift (Fogli Lift) may be recommended.
During surgery: The access incision around the ear is the same as that for an open lift, but there is no incision under the chin and no dissection across the front of the neck. Instead, the section of the muscle responsible for neck banding is lifted and sutured firmly back into its rightful place from the back edge of the muscle – resulting in less post-operative swelling, bruising or discomfort, and faster recovery.
MACS (MINIMAL ACCESS CRANIAL SUSPENSION) AKA THE S-LIFT OR THE MINI-LIFT
During surgery: A short incision is made from the sideburn to the bottom of the ear, but not around the earlobe. Through this, the SMAS layer over the cheek is gathered and lifted with 1-3 key sutures, which are held by a strong layer of deep connective tissue above the cheekbone in front of the ear. The skin is then lifted and trimmed to fit, then closed carefully under minimal tension.
Other rejuvenating procedures include the Mid-facelift, Neck Lift and Temple Tightening
During your consultation, your surgeon will only recommend to you the procedure(s) that will best address your particular concerns. There will be no attempt to “sell” you an unwanted procedure.
Our surgeons practice meticulous techniques to ensure your face appears more youthful and refreshed as naturally as possible, causing friends and family to remark on how great you look, without being certain why. We believe good Plastic Surgery is never obvious – so the tight “wind-tunnel” look is not something we do. At each step we also carefully consider your emotional and physical comfort. To discuss any of these details, you are welcome to schedule a consultation.
While we go to great lengths to practice safe surgery, all surgeries carry some risk of potential complications.
Pain and discomfort are part of any surgery, but to reassure you, facelift surgery is not described as particularly painful. We use a number of techniques to minimise pain and swelling, which your surgeon will discuss with you during your consultation. Learn more about general post-operative care and tips to aid healing.