Rhytidoplasty (facelift)

Nowhere more obvious is the visible effect of ageing than on our face. As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less and less collagen, causing our skin to lose elasticity and wrinkle, and facial muscles to slacken and droop. While genetics do have a role in how quickly this happens and how quickly our face begins to age, external elements such as sun exposure, smoking, dieting and air pollution can speed up the process.

Our faces often betray our age much sooner than our bodies or minds, and it can be upsetting and frustrating to look older than you feel.

​​​​​​​With the modern world placing increased emphasis on esthetic appearance, it is little wonder that many people are opting for a surgical solution to their ageing face. A facelift can transform your face and give you the younger, more vibrant appearance that fits with how you feel inside.

Signs of facial ageing

When your skin begins to age more rapidly, you will probably notice some of the following:

- Your eyebrows may start to droop.

- The skin on the eyelids becomes folded and gathered.

- The smile lines on your face will deepen.

- The corners of your mouth will begin to sag, giving you the appearance of a downturned smile.

- Fine wrinkles may begin to develop around the outer corners of the eyes, on the forehead and around the lips.

- The jaw begins to sag and the skin on the neck gathers, giving the appearance of a ‘turkey neck’.

Am I a suitable candidate for a face lift?

It can be difficult to know when it is the right time to book in your facelift. Should you have it as soon as your face starts to sag, or is it better to wait until the problem becomes severe?

Most cosmetic surgeons, including Dr. LaBruna, recommend that you seek surgical intervention relatively early in the ageing process, and at a point where the skin still has a reasonable amount of elasticity and the bone structure still appears quite defined.

The majority of successful face lift procedures are performed on patients who are between 40 and 60 years of age. However, every patient is assessed individually and the surgery has been proven to be effective and yield great results for people who are much older.

In order to assess your candidacy for any cosmetic surgery procedure, including a facelift, it will be necessary for you to attend a comprehensive consultation with Dr. LaBruna. During this appointment, you will be asked about your medical history, as well as having the opportunity to discuss your goals for the procedure.

The facelift procedure

Facelifts are almost always carried out while the patient is under a general anesthetic, in order to keep them calm and comfortable. Depending on your goals for your facelift, you may wish to consider whether you will combine this treatment with another procedure such as a brow lift or cheek augmentation.

A facelift is usually performed through an incision that begins in the hair or hairline above and in front of the ear, in an area referred to as the temporal region. This incision is extended downwards in front of the ear, continued under and then behind the ear. The skin and fatty tissue is then lifted away from underlying muscle and connective tissue and pulled backwards and upwards, tightening the skin. The skin is secured using sutures and any excess cut away. The wound is then closed using a combination of sutures and staples.

Recovery after a facelift

The recovery process after a facelift can take several weeks, during which time you may experience some bruising, particularly around the cheek and neck area. Sometimes this is accompanied by mild numbness which may persist for as long as a month. Some discomfort is normal, and can usually be managed with over the counter pain relief.

​​​​​​​Dr. LaBruna will provide you with specific instructions with regards to your care in the days following your procedure, and these should be followed exactly to give you the best recovery and results from your facelift.

Dr. LaBruna has been named as one of America’s top doctors and has more than 14 years’ experience in providing some of the highest quality cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries in the New York City area. With the knowledge and skill to perform exceptional transformations, why trust anyone else with your facial transformation? To find out more about the procedure, or to book your initial consultation, simply call (212) 584-7001.