A facelift, or facial rejuvenation, refers to surgical procedures that tighten sagging skin on the face and neck. This makes the face appear younger. No fundamental changes to the shape of the face or similar features are made. Furthermore, the procedure cannot halt the aging process.
Here you will find further information as well as a selection of facelift specialists and centers.
What can be achieved with a facelift?
Due to natural aging processes, the skin loses elasticity. Its deeper layers, the muscles, and the connective tissue layer of the face gradually sag.
Superficial expression lines can often be treated with botulinum toxin A (Botox), autologous fat, or dermal fillers. However, excess skin cannot be removed with these less invasive procedures. In such cases, a facelift is necessary.
A facelift can reverse the signs of aging by approximately 10 years. From this new starting point, the skin naturally continues to age. In most cases, however, it is possible to repeat the facelift after 8 to 10 years.
Before-and-after comparison of a facelift
What types of facelifts are there?
There is no single “typical” facelift. Facelifts can involve different surgical techniques. The tightening can extend to the entire face and neck area or just specific areas.
A facelift is always tailored to the specific changes you personally desire. The following types of facelifts are commonly performed:
- A forehead lift raises the eyebrows and smooths out frown lines.
- A temporal lift also tightens the area around the eyes.
- A cheek lift also repositions the fatty tissue that has slipped downward from the zygomatic arch. You can learn more about this in the article on cheek lifts.
- During a neck lift, excess fat can be removed through another small incision under the chin.
- A mini-lift primarily smooths the temple area. It is only recommended if no major changes are to be corrected. The results are also not very long-lasting.
Preparing for a Facelift
If you smoke, you should quit at least 4 weeks before your appointment. This minimizes the risk of wound edge necrosis.
In the 14 days before the surgery, you should stop taking pain relievers, such as aspirin. These can delay blood clotting. You should also avoid alcohol and sleeping pills as much as possible.
If you wear your hair very short, you may want to let it grow out a bit to better conceal the surgical scars.
The necessary preoperative examinations will be conducted at the clinic the day before your appointment. During this time, you’ll also have the opportunity to discuss the anesthesia with the anesthesiologist.
Be sure to inform the surgeon if you have
- allergies, such as to medications or hair care products, or
- other medical conditions
.
The doctor must also rule out any possible blood clotting disorders before the procedure. Such a disorder may be present if
- you tend to get noticeable bruises or
- bleeding from minor injuries takes a long time to stop.
In addition, you should inform your surgeon if you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight. This could affect the outcome of the surgery.
Performing a Facelift
The procedure is usually performed on an inpatient basis. It is typically carried out under general anesthesia.
Depending on the procedure, you can expect a hospital stay of 5 to 7 days. Limited, minor procedures, such as a mini-facelift, can also be performed under local anesthesia with sedation.
Most patients request simultaneous tightening of the temples, cheeks, and neck. In this context, the underlying muscles are also shortened. The facelift can also be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as blepharoplasty.
The incision often begins in the hairline at the temples, approximately 5 cm behind the hairline. The surgeon guides the incision past the ear and ends it behind the ears at the nape of the neck.
The surgeon then detaches the skin from the underlying tissue and adjusts the connective tissue and muscles. Afterward, he or she treats and contours the fatty areas.
Once this work is complete, the surgeon closes the incision edges and places suction drains in the surgical area. These drains remove any fluid that accumulates for one day.
A facelift usually takes three to four hours.
Many facelift procedures can now also be performed endoscopically, which allows for smaller incisions.
After the facelift
In the first few weeks after a facelift, you can expect
- swelling,
- bruising,
- tightness, and numbness
in the treated area. The most severe swelling occurs one to two days after the procedure and can temporarily alter the appearance of your face significantly. The swelling will subside over the next two to three weeks.
A permanent disturbance of facial muscle function caused by nerve damage is an extremely rare complication of a facelift.
The bandage and drains are removed after one to two days.
The time required for complete recovery can vary greatly depending on individual factors and the extent of the procedure.
After the surgery, you should definitely allow yourself 5 to 7 days of complete rest. Do not use any creams or ointments during the first few days following the facelift.
Direct sunlight, heat, saunas, and tanning beds are off-limits for four weeks.
Risks and Complications of a Facelift
A major facelift or forehead lift can cause long-term changes in skin sensation in front of the ears or on the forehead. Any bruising that may occur after surgery can significantly delay the healing process and is therefore removed through a minor surgical procedure.
Due to the tight tension on the facial skin, hair loss may occur in isolated cases in the temple area. However, the hair will grow back over the next few months.
Circulatory problems in the skin resulting from excessive nicotine use can lead to necrosis at the wound edges and noticeable scars. These may require follow-up treatment.
If bacterial infections occur after the facelift, they can delay wound healing. This can result in wider scars. A further minor procedure can be performed to correct the scars.
Damage to the facial nerves is virtually impossible when the procedure is performed by an expert. Should such damage occur nonetheless, it generally heals on its own within three to six months.
In isolated cases, lesions of the cutaneous and muscular nerves may occur. These, too, heal on their own within weeks to months.
A permanent disorder of the facial muscles caused by nerve injury is an extremely rare complication.
Which doctors perform facelifts?
Facelifts are often performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. However, some specialists in
also offer this procedure. In any case, the surgeon should have extensive experience and expertise specifically in the field of facelifts and be proficient in more than one technique.
Conclusion on Facelifts
A facelift tightens the skin, making you look about 10 years younger. However, even a facelift cannot stop the skin’s natural aging process.
How long the results of a facelift last varies from person to person. Normally, it is not a problem to repeat the procedure after 8 to 10 years.
To preserve your natural facial expressions, some fine lines will remain even after the procedure. If all wrinkles were rigorously smoothed out, you would end up with a mask-like appearance. Here, your surgeon’s skill and experience are absolutely crucial to the success of the surgery.
