A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens sagging skin on the face and neck. This makes the face look younger. No fundamental changes are made to the shape of the face or similar. It also cannot stop the ageing process.
You can find further information and selected facelift specialists and centers here.
Natural ageing processes cause the skin to lose elasticity. Its deeper layers, the muscles and the connective tissue of the face gradually slacken.
Superficial mimic wrinkles can often be treated with botulinum toxin-A (Botox), autologous fat or derma fillers. However, excess skin cannot be removed with these less invasive measures. A facelift is then required.
With a facelift, signs of ageing can be set back by around 10 years. From this new starting point, the skin naturally continues to age. However, it is usually possible to repeat the facelift after 8 to 10 years.
Before and after comparison of a facelift
There is no such thing as a typical facelift. Lifts can involve different surgical techniques. The lift can cover the entire face and neck area or just individual areas.
A facelift always depends on what changes you personally want. The following types of facelift are frequently performed:
If you smoke, you should stop smoking at least 4 weeks before your appointment. This will minimize the risk of wound edge necrosis.
You should not take any painkillers, such as aspirin, in the 14 days before the operation. These can delay blood clotting. You should also largely avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
If you wear your hair very short, you may want to let it grow a little to better conceal the operation scars.
The necessary preliminary examinations will be carried out the day before your appointment at the clinic. You will also have the opportunity to discuss the anesthesia with the anesthesiologist.
Be sure to inform the surgeon if you suffer from
diseases.
The doctor must also rule out possible blood clotting disorders before the procedure. This could be the case if
You should also tell your surgeon if you are planning to lose a lot of weight. This could change the result of the operation.
The procedure is usually performed on an inpatient basis. It is usually performed under general anesthesia.
Depending on the procedure, a hospital stay of 5 to 7 days can be expected. Limited minor procedures, such as mini-lifts, can also be performed under local anesthesia and sedation.
Most patients want a simultaneous tightening of the temples, cheeks and neck. In this context, the muscles are also shortened. The lift can also be combined with other aesthetic procedures, e.g. eyelid surgery.
The incision in the temporal hair often begins approx. 5 cm behind the hairline. The doctor passes it in front of the ear and ends it behind the ears in the neck.
The surgeon then separates the skin from the underlying tissue and corrects the connective tissue and muscles. He then works on and shapes the fatty areas.
Once this work is complete, the surgeon closes the edges of the wound and places suction drains in the wound area. These drain the secretions to the outside for a day.
A facelift usually takes three to four hours.
Nowadays, many tightening procedures can also be performed endoscopically, which means that smaller incisions are sufficient.
In the first few weeks after the facelift, you can expect
in the treated area. The most severe swelling occurs one to two days after the procedure and can temporarily change the appearance of your face considerably. The swelling will disappear again within the following two to three weeks.
Permanent facial muscle dysfunction due to nerve injury is an extremely rare complication of a facelift.
The dressing and drains are removed after one to two days.
The time required for full recovery can vary greatly depending on the individual's disposition and the extent of the procedure.
In any case, you should allow yourself to rest completely for 5 to 7 days after the operation. Do not use any creams or ointments in the first few days after the facelift.
Direct sunlight, heat, sauna and solarium are taboo for four weeks.
A large face or forehead lift can affect the feeling of the skin in front of the ears or on the forehead in the long term. Any bruising that may occur postoperatively can significantly delay the healing process and is therefore removed by a minor surgical procedure.
Hair loss may occasionally occur in the temple area as a result of the strong tension on the facial skin. However, the hair will grow back over the next few months.
Circulatory disorders of the skin as a result of excessive nicotine consumption can lead to wound edge necrosis and conspicuous scars. These may need to be treated afterwards.
If bacterial infections occur after the facelift, this can delay wound healing. This then leads to wider scars. A further minor procedure can be performed to correct the scars.
Damage to the facial nerves is virtually impossible in expert hands. If they do occur, they generally regenerate within three to six months.
Occasionally, lesions of skin and muscle nerves can occur. These also regenerate on their own within weeks to months.
Permanent facial muscle dysfunction due to nerve damage is an extremely rare complication.
Facelifts are often performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. However, some specialists in
also offer this operation. In any case, the surgeon should have a great deal of experience and expertise specifically in the field of facelift surgery and be proficient in more than a single technique.
A facelift tightens the skin. This rejuvenates your appearance by around 10 years. However, the natural ageing process of the skin cannot be stopped by a facelift.
How long the results of a lift last varies from person to person. It is usually not a problem to repeat the operation after 8 to 10 years.
In order to preserve your natural facial expressions, some wrinkles will remain even after the procedure. If all wrinkles were rigorously smoothed out, you would have a mask-like appearance. The skill and experience of your surgeon are crucial to the success of the operation.
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