A facelift is designed to reposition loose and sagging skin. It can be combined with facial liposuction to remove fat from the area under the chin and from jowls. It is not the best treatment for facial wrinkling, but can restore a refreshed and youthful appearance to a face with sagging and lax skin.
Face lifts are designed to reduce the slackness in the tissues of the face; a face lift tightens or excises muscle, fat and skin, producing a more youthful, rested appearance. Generally speaking, face lift procedures only address the two-thirds of the face, although a surgery can combine both face lift and eyelid surgery or browlift.
For individuals interested in reducing sagging in the facial area, face lifts may be the best way to address the problem. For many patients, the key issues corrected by face lift surgery include sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat accumulation under the chin (double chin). Face lifts work in essentially the same manner, although there are some variations in face lift techniques, depending upon the specific individual facial constructions, and the intended outcome of the face lift surgery.
Individuals investigating the ways in which a face lift could help them should meet with a plastic surgeon who specializes in face lifts. During the consultation, the surgeon and patient will determine reasonable expectations for face lift results, depending upon the facial bone structure, and specific problems to be addressed by the face lift procedure. Many surgeons will use photographs of the individual from an earlier period to guide face lift surgery and create a more youthful-looking face. A good plastic surgeon can help decide if face lift surgery is a good choice for the prospective patient, and will explain all of the face lift benefits and risks.