08 Mar Are There Really Different Kinds of Facelifts
Most people think they know what a facelift is, but in reality, various techniques can ensure optimal, gorgeous, natural-looking results that last for years. At RefinedMD, Dr. Sudeep Roy is the resident facelift expert and customizes every procedure to the patient’s unique esthetic and goals. In short, facelifts should never be one size fits all, and if you think you know what a facelift entails from information gleaned years ago, you’re in for a great surprise! With the latest advanced techniques, this isn’t your mom’s facelift. Today’s facelifts are dramatic yet organic-looking, and the incisions are so well hidden it takes a trained expert to find them once healing is complete.
It’s not the best idea to think of different “types” of facelifts, since every facelift can and should be individualized per person. However, breaking down the most common techniques can help you see what is available to you—just keep in mind that nothing compares to a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Roy. However, if you’re eager to get some intel before your consultation, let’s take a closer look at contemporary facelift strategies.
A Full Facelift or …
There are two primary types of facelifts: a “full facelift” and a mini facelift. There’s no cutoff age or age minimum for either because we’re all one of a kind and age at different rates. However, loosely speaking, clients who are good candidates for full facelifts are typically in their 50s. Those who might be good matches for a mini facelift are often in their 40s and even 30s. So what’s the difference?
A mini facelift is great for minimal sagging on the lower half of the face, jowls, and excess skin on the neck. This is not the procedure for those with heavy jowls or otherwise severe signs of aging on the lower half of the face. However, if you’ve just started to notice early signs of aging and want a smoother face/neck and an uplifted contour, a mini lift could be for you! Since it’s less invasive, this also means a shorter recovery period and even fewer incisions than today’s full facelift.
Meeting in the Middle: A Mid Face Lift
Sometimes called a “mid-facelift,” this type of facelift really targets sagging cheeks and the overall middle part of the face. It raises the cheek tissue to reduce sagging and creases. Those who are good fits for this facelift don’t have jowls or sagging on the neck. If your problem area is the mid-face, this lift can improve your facial definition, give you stunning cheek contours, and get rid of those nasolabial folds between the nose and lips. It can even help lower eyelid sagging a bit, but really only a lower eyelid lift should be used if this is also a trouble area. In fact, eyelid lifts (both lower and upper) are very common additions to any type of facelift.
For those who have much more serious sagging on the cheeks and neck, a deep plane facelift can be a good approach. This technique is so common that it’s often simply considered a type of full facelift. It doesn’t just address the skin but also the underlying tissue. This full facelift targets the entire lower half of the face and the neck and promises the most impressive and long-lasting results. On average, patients look anywhere from 5 – 15 years younger after a full facelift—and you can look even younger if you add on an eyelid lift.
A Facelift Tightens Your Skin—But Now What?
There are a few things to consider if a facelift of any type is on your wish list. For starters, now that you know all facelifts only address the mid to lower part of the face, take a look at your eyes. Thanks to the thin, mobile, delicate tissue here that usually doesn’t get as much sunscreen as other parts of the face are they going to give away your age? Are your eyes making you look more tired and older than you are? If so, you’re not alone. Dr. Roy can discuss whether or not a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is a good idea, along with a facelift.
It’s also important to remember that facelifts and eyelids lifts only address the skin’s tautness—not the quality of the skin itself. If you have acne scarring or any other type of hyperpigmentation, it will probably still be there after surgery (unless it’s part of the small part of the skin that is trimmed away). Combining facial plastic surgery with non-surgical treatments for skin quality is the best way to achieve optimal results.
Ready to get started? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Roy at RefinedMD right now by starting an online chat, calling the office at (408) 688-2082, or filling out the online form.