When considering a face lift, most people envision the traditional rejuvenation of the neck, jaw line and cheeks, with a visit to the operating room, followed by a two week recovery – the kind of procedure that requires the skill, training and experience of a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon.
Now, with younger patients requesting simpler procedures with less recovery time, together with the advent of new technologies, the defining elements of face lift may not be quite so clear cut. A media blitz of internet, magazines and TV talk shows has inundated us with “new” procedures promising big results – “lunch-time lifts”, “S-lifts”, “short-flap lifts”, thread lifts, Life-Style Lifts, ContourThread Lifts, Feather Lifts, and Mini-lifts. The plethora of options is clear. Question is, “How do I choose which procedure is best for me?”
Keep in mind that some of these procedure are not new, and the ads rarely explain the possible side effects and fleeting longevity of the results. The best plan of action may include a visit to a reputable, board-certified facial plastic surgeon for evaluation. He or she can determine if you are a candidate for a less invasive procedure and can offer many options based on a variety of factors. Before recommending a particular procedure, your doctor will consider your individual physicality, desired results, amount of time available for recovery, the length of time you realistically expect the results to last, and your budget.
The plain truth is that the best, longest-lasting results are generally achieved with a traditional face lift, which necessitates a longer recovery period. This type of face lift re-suspends the structures of the neck and face. Excess skin is re-draped and excised. An upper face lift simply addresses the cheek and part of the jowl. It is this procedure that may have given rise to different names such as “S” Lift, “mini-lift”, “Lifestyle Lift”. Because it is limited to a relatively small area, the surgery is done in a short time under local anesthesia with or without sedation, and recovery time is reduced. A Mid-Face Lift, sometimes done in conjunction with a forehead and routine face lift, elevates the cheek mounds near the eyes. Note that all of these lifts require incisions so it is important that they are inconspicuous. When visiting your surgeon, ask to see before and after pictures that show not only neck line, but also where the incisions were. This way, you can be the judge of how well they are hidden.
If long-term results are not your primary goal, most surgeons can offer procedures for short-term improvement. Thread lifts (Feather Lift, Contour Lift, etc) use sutures to pull up sagging tissue; no new bond of tissue takes place because the tissue has not been undermined surgically. Laser lifts are not true surgical lifts in most cases. These procedures use single or multiple applications of laser to the facial skin which causes contraction to the deep skin. The CO2 laser resurface the skin and is effective in getting rid of fine lines, blotches and irregular pigment of the skin, but may have long periods of recovery. Injectables such as Restalyne and Radiesse provide filling in of prominent nasolabial (cheek folds from the nose to the lips.) Thermage, radio-frequency heating of the deep collagen in your face, can facilitate some tightening of the tissue.
No matter what kind of procedure you have, beware of the physician who advertises as the “first” to do it in your area. Choose doctors AND procedures that have withstood the test of time and have been scientifically evaluated.
Russell W.H. Kridel, MD
Dr. Russell Kridel is a facial plastic surgeon with a world-wide clientele, specializing in cosmetic, nose, and facial rejuvenation surgery. In private practice since 1981, he has written more than 60 scientific articles and is a sought-after speaker at medical meetings and courses worldwide where he lectures on techniques he has pioneered. Dr. Kridel served as president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from 2000-2001. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors of the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and has been a Board examiner in Facial Plastic Surgery for both the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO) and the ABFPRS. Dr Kridel’s office is located at 6655 Travis, Suite 900 in the heart of Houston’s Medical Center. For more information call 713.526.5665 or visit www.TodaysFace.com.
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