Facelift: the “golden choice” for “personal” renewal
Facelift: the procedure, the new multi-vectored facelift technique, the appropriate age, facelift prices, the result of the facelift and everything you want to know in the following text.
The facelift procedure addresses the sagging and sagging skin of the midface and neck. It maintains its reputation as the “golden standard” for facial rejuvenation, as no non-surgical procedure can replace it when the following signs of aging coexist: “cracked” and sagging mid-face skin, wrinkled neck, wrinkles and deep nasolabial folds, “saggy” cheeks and double chin. As a plastic surgeon, I know the spectacular result that can occur if the procedure is performed correctly and if there are appropriate indications
Multi-vectored facelift
The major advantage of the facelift is that it can improve all aesthetic subgroups of the face simultaneously, while the most advanced multi-vectored facelift technique targets all causes of facial aging. What highlights this technique as truly unique is the separate suspension of the SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) and the skin on different axes. This achieves greater tightening and a more natural appearance, which is not entirely possible with other available lifting techniques, where all tissues are mobilized as a single group.
Absolute rejuvenation is achieved by using synergistic methods, with which – in addition to relaxation and sagging – the texture and quality of the skin of the face and neck are restored, as well as any atrophy of fat.
In particular, with the multi-vectored facelift, which is suitable for the majority of interested individuals, the following benefits are achieved:
- Restoring the soft tissues to their natural anatomical position. The tissues are suspended on the face and neck, addressing even the most difficult cases of significant sagging. This includes lifting the cheekbones, correcting facial asymmetry, reshaping the lower jaw and chin, and restoring the youthful triangular outline of the face. Additionally, improvements to the nasolabial area and the elimination of wrinkles further enhance the facial contours.
- Lifting the eyebrows and restoring the youthfulness and expressiveness of the eyes through blepharoplasty or a temple lift.
- Replenishing volume in the temples, cheekbones, and mid-face (i.e., the area from the lower eyelids to the cheeks) using autologous fat, stem cell mesotherapy, or hyaluronic acid.
- Resurfacing the skin for renewal and regeneration using peeling or laser treatments.
The procedure
The duration of the procedure is approximately three hours, with either general or local anesthesia used alongside sedatives. Patients are usually discharged on the same day (day hospitalization).
The “stretched” appearance or the large and obvious incisions, which previously created scars and limitations in daily activities for a long time after facelifts, are now a thing of the past in plastic surgery. Today, the postoperative period for a facelift is smooth, with recovery lasting 10-14 days. Patients can typically return to work within this period, and full activity is usually resumed after two weeks.
Facelift: the result
The aim of the procedure is to create a renewed appearance, without, however, altering the features of the face or making the person look like someone else or making the plastic surgeon’s intervention noticeable. In other words, a facelift is considered successful if it naturally restores the lost beauty and highlights the unique features of each face, without altering them. Therefore, realistic expectations, personalization, avoidance of exaggeration and a discreet aesthetic result are the “key factors” for experiencing high levels of postoperative satisfaction.
Heredity, skin quality, significant weight fluctuations, smoking and environmental factors (such as excessive sun exposure) can affect the longevity of a facelift, the effect of which generally lasts from seven to ten years.
Facelift prices
The facelift is a highly personalized procedure. The cost depends on the type of anesthesia that will be required (local anesthesia required for a mini facelift reduces costs), as well as the technique or combination of techniques that will be needed for optimal aesthetic results (if, for example, synergistic blepharoplasty or non-invasive techniques such as stem cells or botulinum toxin injections are needed). An exact cost estimate can only be made during the pre-operative consultation.
Facelift without a scalpel
Non-surgical facelifts are popular for women and men seeking facial rejuvenation with zero downtime.
One effective non-invasive option is the HiPRO-V medical machine, which uses HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) technology. It tightens the SMAS, treats sagging, tightens skin, lifts, and activates collagen production. Results include wrinkle reduction, improved eye area appearance, double chin treatment, and general rejuvenation of the face, neck, and décolleté.
Another option is the Bio Nutri Lift, combining hyaluronic acid and NCTF 135HA – a formulation with 55 rejuvenating elements. Injected using the retrograde movement technique, it smooths lines and wrinkles, corrects sagging, eliminates dark circles, stimulates the cheekbones, combats double chins, and restores lost facial volume and proportions.
Facelift FAQs
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the irreplaceable plastic surgery of the face
I am in a process of losing weight. When is the right time to undergo a facelift?
Weight loss, especially massive weight loss after bariatric surgery, also affects the face. In such cases, a facelift is the “one way” for anyone who cares about their image. It is best to stabilize at your new weight before proceeding with the facelift. This will help you to ensure the best possible – but also long-lasting – aesthetic result, while minimizing the possibility of complications.
What is the right age to have a facelift?
The relaxation time of the face and neck varies from person to person, it can e.g. even a young person to show early signs of aging after massive weight loss. There is no specific age for the operation, since aging affects each person differently. It is a personalized operation, the necessity of which is experienced separately by each person. Usually, the necessity for a facelift arises after the fourth decade of life.
Can non-invasive techniques help me delay a facelift?
When considering the best way to eliminate your wrinkles and achieve smoother, younger looking skin you need to keep this reality in mind: There are two ways that time leaves its mark on our face. The first is in the texture of the skin and the second in the relaxation of the tissues. Regarding skin texture problems, non-invasive techniques, such as autologous fat or hyaluronic acid injection, as well as mesotherapy, offer the possibility of facial renewal and slowing down the aging process, so they can also delay a facelift. But also the relaxation of the skin, which is the next step of the previous aging process, can be delayed with the previous non-invasive techniques. But once established, unfortunately, the condition is irreversible with any non-surgical method, since none can offer the same long-term effect of a facelift: it is, therefore, the only appropriate solution in the case of sagging.
How can I best prepare for my procedure? What should I pay attention to before the facelift operation?
It’s a good idea to cut down on smoking a few weeks before your facelift, as this will help you heal better and reduce scarring. Also, avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and homeopathic preparations, which can cause bleeding. Hydration of the body is also very important for your quick and safe recovery. If you dye your hair, keep in mind to do it shortly before the operation, since after the operation you will need to wait for about a few weeks.
Where will the surgical incisions be made?
Thanks to modern facelift techniques, all incisions are hidden within the hair. The only visible area of the incisions is on the skin near the ears. But an experienced plastic surgeon will hide the incision within a natural skin fold, so you won’t have any visible scarring.
We are bombarded every day by various modern techniques that promise to treat facial sagging. What has changed in the history of facelifts? What are the best facelifts?
All techniques differ only in their names. A good facelift with a successful result is essentially based, not on the name it will get from the incisions that will be made, but on the changes that will be made in the deeper layers of the skin to achieve the ideal result, both in appearance and duration. So when the plastic surgeon anatomically restores the changes that have occurred, with respect to the tissues, then the result is given and guaranteed.