Why the Face Lift Remains the Popular Choice for Cosmetic Procedures

There’s something to be said for tried and true methods. We live in a time of constant technological and medical advancement. We want the latest, greatest, and best always. This is understandable. What is new is almost certainly improved. But, this is not always the case.

Refinements are often made, certainly. But some things, even if they’ve been in use for decades, remain the quintessential example of their niche. This is true even in cosmetic surgery.

Take the face lift, for example. The rhytidectomy, though we all opt to use the colloquial face lift, has been in use in some form for over 100 years. It was one of the great medical discoveries of the twentieth century. The face lift was actually developed at the very beginning of it. It is believed that the first, though much simpler, face lift procedure was performed in Berlin in 1901. The first textbook on the subject followed in 1907. The procedure advanced during the first part of the 20^th century and has continued to be refined and perfected ever since. It remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world and is the second most popular facial procedure only following blepharoplasty or the eye lift.

After all this time, how are plastic surgeons still performing face lifts? Because they remain incredibly effective and they produce fantastic results for those who choose to undergo them.

Face lifts have certainly changed since the early 1900s. There is no doubt about that. But, the essence of the procedure remains. It’s important to note, however, that the efficacy of a face lift ultimately lies in the hands of your surgeon. There are no cosmetic procedures that by their nature “just work.” It takes a high level of skill, which is why one must be so discerning when looking for a plastic surgeon to perform a face lift.

Here are some facts about the face lift procedure and what you should expect. Note that there are different kinds of face lifts.

How a face lift works

The name we use for the procedure is rather self-explanatory. Your face is physically lifted up by your surgeon in order to reduce the visible signs of aging that everyone inevitably experiences with time. The skin at the bottom of your face around the chin and jawline gets lifted upwards towards the top of your face in order to tighten the appearance of it. The excess skin that ends up behind and in front of the ears during the lift is then removed so that you achieve a natural, youthful looking appearance. Every effort is made to minimize scars and any displacement of the natural hairline.

Different techniques

That’s a very basic explanation of how a face lift works. But, there are different techniques that developed over the years in order to bring refinement to the process. One such popular technique is the deep plane face lift technique. Your surgeon may even perform their own unique variations on an established technique. With deep plane, you go above and beyond a traditional face lift. It also addresses fallen cheek and jowl fat by adjusting and repositioning it to further enhance your youthful appearance. By addressing the lower portion of the face and the cheeks, your treatment will be more complete.

What other procedures compliment a facelift

Often, a face lift is paired with a neck lift because the procedures are quite complementary. In fact, it’s rare to do one and not the other since the proximity is so close. A neck lift can address sagging skin around the throat as well as reduce the appearance of the vertical muscle cords at the front of the neck. You may also want to complete the entire rejuvenation process by undergoing a brow lift or eye lift in order to address wrinkles and crow’s feet in the upper portion of the face.

Recovery and expectations

Your surgeon’s goal is to reduce your downtime as much as possible, but a recovery period is inevitable. That’s why it’s hard to give definitive numbers on recovery. A skilled surgeon will perform a face lift in such a way that recovery is minimal. Typically, you could experience a few weeks of visible swelling as you heal from the procedure. Within the space of a few months, you’ll see the full effects of the procedure. Most patients in our practice can return to social situations in about 10 days.

Conclusion

Despite being one of the oldest and most popular cosmetic procedures, it’s still important to find the right plastic surgeon when it comes to pursuing a face lift. Techniques differ amongst surgeons, so expectations must be adjusted. If you are in the New York City area and you’re looking for a plastic surgeon with the experience to perform this delicate procedure, contact our office today. Dr. Pastorek has been a highly respected leader in the field for over thirty years and will provide you with the care you need so you can look your best.