A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a general term for any surgical procedure that improves the signs of aging on the face and neck by repositioning or removing skin, fat, or muscle.

Signs of aging that a facelift can restore include:

  • Loose, sagging skin on the face
  • Deep folds or furrows between the nose and corners of the mouth
  • Loss or absence of facial fat
  • Sagging skin on the cheeks and/or jaw (known as jowls)
  • Loose skin and excess fat on the neck that looks like a “double chin”
  • Wrinkles around the mouth


Facelifting is considered a cosmetic regenerative operation and cannot fundamentally change the appearance or stop the aging process. It also cannot treat surface wrinkles, sun damage or irregularities in skin color. Facelifts are highly individualized surgeries unique to each person’s face and outcome goals.

The face is the first place we feel the effects of aging. Facial skin that does not resist gravity and reduced facial volume are the first indicators of the onset of aging.

Facelifting is a suitable tool for refreshing and rejuvenating the face and for stopping time to some extent. During a facelift, not only the facial area is removed, but also the sagging skin of the face and neck and fat deposits under the chin, which outlines facial features wrapped in fat layers or under sagging skin.

How is facelift surgery performed?

The plastic surgeon who will operate will examine the patient and medical images will be taken before the operation. During the examination, the doctor should familiarize himself with the medical history, medications, drug allergies and all other information. The doctor will evaluate this information and inform the patient about the details needed before the operation. The interview and examination before the process and the patient’s trust in the doctor are as important as the procedure. Therefore, it is beneficial for the doctor and the patient to ask each other questions. The doctor will answer questions about the facelift and the method that is planned to be used and measure the patient’s face.

Facelift aesthetics begins with a local or general anesthesia method suitable for the patient. In an aesthetic facelift, surgical incisions are made along the hairline and behind the ear. The subcutaneous tissue is corrected by stretching in the face and neck area, where sagging skin and wrinkles form. In addition, stem cell-enriched fat harvested from another part of the body can be transferred to areas of need. After the facelift, the natural appearance is restored.

What does a facelift scar look like?

In traditional facelift surgeries, incisions are made just inside the hairline on the forehead, extending to the ear and ending at the base of the head. Adipose tissue, chin, face and neck are adjusted, and spare parts are removed and repositioned. For example, an aged and flabby neck is reshaped by an incision under the chin. The ear circumference, eyelids, and upper lip areas are adjusted using small repositioning incisions. Maximum attention is paid to aesthetic interventions to close the incisions; the incisions are closed by masking the hairline and natural earline.

What are the different types of facelifts?

There are several types of facelift surgery depending on which face and neck areas are targeted.

Types of facelift surgery include:

 

Traditional facelift

Traditional facelift surgery involves incisions around the ears, hairline and under the chin. The surgeon separates the skin from the underlying tissues and stretches the muscles and other supporting structures of the face and neck. Removes excess fat on the neck and lobes as needed. The surgeon then repositions the skin on your face naturally and removes the excess skin. This surgery is generally recommended for people who want optimal moderate to severe facial aging improvement.

SMAS facelift (SMAS rhytidectomy)

SMAS  is a superficial musculo-aponeurotic system, the muscle layer of the  face reaches the lower two-thirds of the face. In this surgery, the surgeon tightens the muscles and removes excess skin and fat from the cheeks and lower face. The SMAS facelift is a variation of the traditional facelift.

Deep facelift

In a deep facelift, the surgeon lifts the muscle layer of the face, fat, and skin as one unit. Deep facelifts generally address multiple areas of the look at the same time.

Lifting of the middle part of the face

Mid-face surgery treats the cheek area of the face. The surgeon repositions the fat in the cheeks and tightens the skin in the cheek area.

Mini-facelift

Mini-facelift surgeries focus on lifting the lower face and neck area. It is a faster and less invasive operation than other facelift operations. Surgeons usually recommend a mini-facelift to younger people with only early signs of facial sagging.

Dermal facelift

A dermal facelift involves only the skin and usually targets the neck and lower face

In many cases, people who undergo a facelift will undergo other procedures at the same time as the facelift surgery, as effective as it is, for example, procedures such as:

  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid lifting)
  • Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
  • Facial implants
  • Eyebrow correction
  • Liquid face lifting with injectable dermal fillers
  • Jaw rejuvenation
  • Chemical peeling
  • Laser resurfacing of the skin
 

The best candidates for facelift surgery are patients with signs of facial aging but still have some skin elasticity. It generally includes patients between 40 and 60, although people younger or older than this range can sometimes also be candidates for surgery.

Facelifting is one of the most common plastic surgery operations.

Each facelift surgery is specific to a person’s unique face and goals, so it is essential that the patient thoroughly discuss the following topics with  the surgeon  before surgery:

  • Desires and goals for facial plastic surgery
  • Medical conditions, allergies, and medical treatments
  • Current medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, alcohol, tobacco,  and drug use
  • Previous operations
  • Evaluation of overall physical health
  • Evaluation of psychological and emotional health
  • Discussion of facelift options
  • Measurement, facial examination, and realization of clinical photographs and recommendation of certain types of lifting
  • A discussion of the likely results of the facelift and any risks or potential complications of the surgery
  • Discussion about the type of anesthesia


Important information:

We will be happy to help you and  offer a solution to your problem or  your dream idea!

Each client is unique and has an individual situation in  the field of health or aesthetics (appearance).  For  this reason, after consulting about  his  problems and  needs, our specialists will propose the most suitable solution – the type of procedure or treatment and  the time schedule, in  case it is necessary to undergo the procedure or treatment more than once.

If  you are interested in learning more, please contact us on phone number 00421 905 928  302, via the contact form or at the email address info@aladiva.sk.