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The aging process affects the skin, fat, muscles and bone of the face, with the aggregate result being the sinking and sagging we notice in our face as we age.  The most comprehensive form of rejuvenation is a facelift.

The original facelift was exclusively a skin tightening procedure-that is pull back the skin, cut as much out as possible and sew it back together. We have learned, however, that focusing on only tightening the loose skin is not the optimal way to rejuvenate a face. In order to create a natural appearance to the lifted face, surgery must restore the position and volume of the drooping deeper tissues of the face and neck. By directly addressing the drooping fat in the mid-face, jowl, cheeks, and neck, a deeper suspension is possible. This creates an authentic appearance to the lifted face, avoiding a “stretched” or “windblown” look that many less advanced facelifts have.

A successful facelift may improve the nasolabial fold or groove between the base of the nose and corner of the mouth. Pulling too tightly on the mouth, however, may give a “joker” look. In many patients, we combine the facelift with laser around the mouth to reduce lip wrinkles and rejuvenate the area around the mouth more naturally. Surgery may dramatically reduce jowls and re-establish a firm jaw line as well as re-contour the neckline through fat removal. It also may tighten loose folds of excess skin underneath the neck.

There is no single, standard facelift procedure. Each patient is analyzed carefully and presents a different anatomic picture and requires a different set of tools for an optimal, natural rejuvenation. The facelift may be combined with other treatments such as blepharoplasty, brow lift , or laser resurfacing. It is also important to know that no single procedure “cures” facial aging-it continues and other adjunctive procedures may be useful as you continue to age.  You can be sure your treatment will be individualized to your particular needs.