Facial Ageing and Facelift Surgery

Concerns about facial sagging, volume loss, and wrinkles become more common with age. But thankfully, there are many cosmetic facial procedures that can address these concerns.

Facial procedures can restore a smoother appearance to the face and neck. The keys to successful facial cosmetic procedures are careful patient assessment and expert performance of procedures that are appropriate for the individual and degree of ageing.

Signs of facial ageing

Throughout life, the skin and soft tissues of the face and neck lose elasticity and volume, causing our features to become less defined or prominent. Cosmetic treatments can help address these issues, subject to the patient’s:

• StructureThe underlying facial bones and soft tissue shape predisposes to premature ageing. With age, the bone around the eye socket, cheek, nasal cavity and teeth is resorbed, causing sagging and hollowing of the overlying tissues. Gravity also leads to the descent of the brow, cheeks, jawline and neck, including laxity of the soft tissues around the mouth.
• VolumeA youthful face has plump facial tissue. As we age, we lose volume in the cheeks and around the eyes, resulting in a tired or drawn appearance.
• TextureIn Australia, the harsh sun and outdoor lifestyles cause sun damage to the skin. This can lead to skin wrinkling, loss of elasticity, pigment changes, broken veins, skin dryness and skin cancer. Also, long-term over-expression, such as frowning or squinting, is also associated with premature skin wrinkling and loss of tone.

How facial rejuvenation procedures help

Skin resurfacing:

Reverses or removes damaged skin and restores it to a healthy state. Such treatments include serums, chemical peels, laser / IPL, microdermabrasion, and photodynamic therapy.

Volume correction:

Procedures to improve areas of flattening from loss of volume, or to remove excess fat. This can involve fat grafting, where fat is transferred from one part of the body and reinjected into another. Dermal fillers or facial implants can also be used.

Skin tightening:

May involve a procedure to remove excess skin and redrape lax soft tissues to restore facial shape and improve the sagging of deepened folds around the eyes and mouth.

Facelift:

A facelift, otherwise known as a “rhytidectomy” or “meloplasty,” removes excess or loose skin from the mid and lower face. It also tightens the underlying SMAS. The procedure treats the cheeks, jowls and jawline and may be combined with other procedures, such as a neck lift, lateral temporal lift, or eyelid surgery, to give the face a balanced and harmonious appearance.

Neck lift:

A neck lift removes excess or loose skin from the neck and tightens the underlying tissues to improve the tone and definition of the jawline and neck. It is typically performed in conjunction with a facelift but can be performed on its own.

Facelift and neck lift surgeries are performed under general anaesthesia, with an overnight stay. Whilst there are many variations in technique, incisions are hidden in the natural creases on the side of the face at the hairline, behind the ear, and beneath the chin. Through these, the skin is elevated and the underlying muscle is tightened and re-suspended. Any excess skin or fat is removed prior to being re-draped.

Non-surgical options, such as ultrasound or radiofrequency, can also help improve facial appearance.

Benefits of facial procedures

Facelift surgery aims to make the face appear fresher and firmer. The procedure creates a smoother face and neck and patient satisfaction is reported for many years following. Significant complications from the facelift are rare, and in many instances, patients are able to return to work and resume most normal activities after a few weeks.

Considerations

The results and longevity of cosmetic facial surgery can be subtle or dramatic, depending on the individual outcome desired, as well as the degree of skin laxity, ageing, and sun damage.

Ideal candidates for facial surgery are fit, do not smoke, and are not taking blood-thinning medication. After facelift and other facial surgery, a period of psychological adjustment is common as you settle into your new appearance.

Maintaining your results

After surgery, it is important to maintain the results through a range of products and services. A consistent skincare routine with high-quality products (particularly sunscreen!), regular anti-wrinkle injections, and sometimes fillers, will be beneficial.

The next steps with Dr Jeremy Richardson

If you are interested in learning more, consult with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who can make a quality assessment of your condition and provide expert advice and recommendations.

Dr Richardson is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne, Australia. His special interest in facial surgery includes: facelift, neck lift, lateral temporal (brow) lift, nose (rhinoplasty), eyelid (blepharoplasty) and ear (otoplasty) surgery. For more information about facial surgery, facelift, or neck lift surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr Richardson, please contact us at (03) 9486 6821,@jeremyrichardsonplasticsurgeon (Instagram), or reception@jeremyrichardson.com.au