What Is A Facelift?

A facelift or rhytidectomy is a cosmetic procedure that addresses the visible signs of aging at the cheeks, neck, and jawline. Women and men alike have facelift surgery, typically when they have exhausted their efforts on nonsurgical treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser treatments. By removing loose, saggy skin and elevating the deeper layers (SMAS) of the face, a facelift provides a two-fold benefit of rejuvenating facial appearance and improving confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life for many people.

Key Benefits Of A Facelift

Types of Facelifts

A facelift is not the same for every patient. Facelifts are uniquely customized for the individual so that they look naturally more youthful and refreshed. A well-done facelift should reposition facial anatomy and restore a youthful appearance without appearing stretched or pulled. In order to accomplish this goal, the plastic surgeon should primarily address the underlying facial structure called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer and not rely on the skin to support a long-term result. Not only does this surgical technique yield a more natural look, but rejuvenating the SMAS adds longevity to the procedure.

The SMAS component is of vital importance and can be addressed in several distinct ways depending on the needs of each patient:

-SMAS stacking/plication and elevation
-Lateral SMASectomy
-SMAS elevation: Deep Plane

Dr. John Burns performs three different types of facelifts that all effectively address the SMAS while removing loose skin, and in some cases, retightening muscles at the neck. They are the mini lift, the traditional facelift, and "Lift and Fill" facelift.

Mini Facelift

A mini-facelift, sometimes referred to as a short-scar facelift addresses gravitational aging in the mid-face and lower face.
This procedure ideal for patients in their 40s or 50s who observe jowls with little to no skin laxity at the neck.

Mini facelift patients can expect a slightly shorter recovery process, since the incisions are less-invasive.

Cosmetic surgery patients often pair this procedure with other cosmetic procedures like an eyelid lift or laser skin resurfacing.

Full Facelift

A full facelift treats the lower two thirds of the face and addresses moderate to advanced aging of the mid-face and neck.

The incisions for a complete facelift start in the hairline at the temples, move down and inside the ear, around the earlobe and into the back hairline.

As part of his facelift procedure, Dr. Burns performs a neck lift technique called a corset platysmaplasty to ensure taut neck definition following surgery.

Facelift surgery performed in tandem with other procedures like a brow lift, eyelid surgery, chemical peels, and injectable fillers.

Lift & Fill Facelift

The Lift and Fill facelift technique is a 3D approach to facial rejuvenation.

As a compliment to your facelift and neck lift, Dr. Burns replaces lost facial volume with fat taken from other areas of the body via liposuction.

Natural facial volume and contour is restored through the strategic re-injection of micro-droplets of purified fat to the: 

-Temples
-Lower eyelid cheek junction
-Cheek/midface
-Nasolabial folds
-Marionette lines
-Lips and lip lines

Candidates For Facelift

Since the aging process varies from one individual to the next, factors such as genetics, overall health, sun exposure and other variables can ultimately determine how quickly one ages. Face-lifting surgery is a viable option for anyone who is bothered by the appearance of sagging skin and the mid-face, jowls, and central neck.

You might be a good candidate for a facelift if:

-you are bothered by growing self-consciousness about the appearance of your face and neck.
-you make clothing choices based on what will cover your neck.
-you tend to use more makeup to draw the eyes to another area of the face other than the jowls and neck.
-you avoid looking in the mirror-you have jowls and deep folds at the lower face, around the mouth and vertical bands at the neck.

It's important that facelift patients are generally healthy before undergoing any plastic surgery. Review your candidacy for facelift surgery with a board-certified plastic surgeon with an extensive history in facelift rejuvenation.         

Research more on facelift surgery at  asps.org               

Expectations & Facelift Recovery

Facelift Procedure Length: 3 hours
Anesthesia: General (occasionally local with sedation for smaller procedures)
In/Outpatient: Outpatient
Side Effects: Temporary swelling, bruising, and some pain
Risks: Pain, bleeding, infection, rare damage to nerves, incomplete improvement
Recovery: Back to work with makeup: 1 week
More strenuous activity: 2 weeks
Final Facelift Appearance: 1-2 months for swelling to completely resolve
Duration of Facelift Results: About 10 years 

Facelift Results By Dr. John Burns