Understanding Your Face Lift Options

Facial aging affects everyone differently, which is why a "cookie-cutter" approach to face lift surgery in Philadelphia doesn't work. Each procedure must be customized to accommodate an individual's unique skin type and facial structure in order to effectively address concerns such as skin sagging, wrinkles, and hollowness in the cheeks and under-eyes. At my practice, I may recommend a traditional face lift, mid facelift, mini-incision facelift, non-surgical facial rejuvenation, or a combination of treatments, depending on individual patient needs.

Traditional Face Lift

Traditional face lift surgery typically addresses the lower portions of the face and neck. This procedure tightens the underlying muscles for a firmer, more youthful appearance, and creates a more defined jawline. A face lift will not lift the cheeks or mouth, however, and cannot improve the look of "laugh lines." Additionally, individuals who want to refresh the eye area may need to consider eyelid surgery in Philadelphia, because a face lift will not affect conditions around the eyes.

There are additional variations on traditional face lift surgery that have been developed to address age-related symptoms in the mid or upper face, such as a mid-facelift.

Mid Facelift

A mid facelift is often used to correct the early signs of aging, such as skin sagging in the cheeks and smile lines around the mouth. This treatment can enhance the contour of the cheekbones as well as improve the area underneath the eyes. The results are typically less dramatic than that of a standard face lift, and most patients enjoy a refreshed, natural-looking appearance. This procedure can be performed with minimal incisions and little downtime. A brow lift is often combined with a mid-face lift to address concerns relating to the eyes and forehead. A brow lift helps reduce the look of deep lines on the forehead and "opens up" the eye area for a more alert appearance.

Mini-Incision Facelift

Minimal incision approaches to facelift surgery are referred to as "endoscopic techniques." With this procedure, small incisions can be made near the temporal hairline or just in front of the ear, thereby limiting the scarring that typically accompanies a traditional face lift. Because minimal-incision techniques normally provide a more moderate degree of correction, they are often well-suited to individuals considering a mid-facelift or brow lift. Some of the benefits of endoscopic facial surgery include:

• Reduced scarring and hair loss
• Less facial numbness
• Subtle, natural-looking enhancements
• Faster recovery (typically 3 – 7 days)

Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

Facial rejuvenation is possible without surgery, and can be accomplished with a variety of treatments. These procedures can be used alone to postpone surgery, or combined with facial surgery to enhance or extend the longevity of the results. Among the most popular options are dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and Perlane® frequently are ideal for men and women who want to add volume to areas of the face that appear deflated, such as the cheeks or under-eyes, or who want to reduce the look of wrinkles. Fillers can also add volume to the lips and smooth lines around the mouth.

BOTOX Cosmetic is another popular injectable treatment that can help reduce the appearance of facial expression lines and provide a more refreshed appearance. BOTOX is often combined with dermal filler injections in a procedure known as a "liquid face lift" – which temporarily elevates the skin and improves facial contours. Injectable treatments can provide noticeable enhancements for 6 months or more, depending on the product used.