Facelift
Seattle Facelift Surgery
For some reason, many people don’t seem to want to talk openly about facelifts. Some feel that it is an extreme option, others uncomfortable with the notion of vanity, discomfort, or the thought of a long recovery time. But all agree on one thing: the “pulled” look is out! Fortunately, facelift techniques have evolved to the point that recovery is rapid and results very natural appearing. The keys are the ability to customize the operation to the patient’s specific needs, a better understanding of what really happens with aging (it isn’t just loosening of the skin), and newer high-tech materials such as tissue “glues” that minimize swelling and bruising.
Regardless of the specific type of facelift (there are many variations) the goal is a natural look. This is achieved by analyzing what actually happens with aging; at first glance, the effects of sagging, less elastic skin are most apparent. So the thinking for a long time was that pulling, tightening the skin should restore a more youthful appearance. But if you look more carefully at pictures of someone in their early adulthood and compare them to pictures when they are older, the most dramatic change is often loss of volume in the face due to loss of subcutaneous fat. It is a 3-dimensional change, and so the correction needs to restore volume, not just tighten skin.
Options range from nonsurgical, to minimally invasive, to the full surgical facelift. The goal with all of these is correction of specific conditions with the most natural-appearing result and the most rapid recovery. An example of a nonsurgical approach is Ultherapy, which uses microfocused ultrasound pulses to stimulate collagen rebuilding in the skin and cause some tightening. Although Ultherapy and other treatments such as Thermage are sometimes marketed as a “nonsurgical facelift” in my opinion this is a misnomer. A facelift isn’t just tightened skin, and the results from nonsurgical treatments are less in terms of tightening anyway. So Ultherapy is suitable for someone who needs a little “maintenance” but it will be disappointing for someone who needs a facelift. The two are not interchangeable.
Next is a threadlift, which is also sometimes called a “nonsurgical” option. The procedure does, however, involve incisions and sutures (the “threads) which are placed so as to elevate and suspend the tissue. Because no skin is removed, threadlift is a volume correction. It seems to work best in the cheeks and less well in the neck. The threadlift is less popular than it was when it was first introduced because the results are not as long-lasting as hoped, and relatively few patients are good candidates for it. Threadlifts can be done under local anesthesia, but there is some swelling and bruising so it isn’t a zero “downtime” option like Ultherapy.
With a full facelift, incisions are made so as to conceal the scars while allowing for some skin removal and elevation and reshaping underneath. The concept is more “re-draping” than pulling. Note on the oblique view (back of page) how the cheek profile is flat from sagging of the fat layer; in the post-op view, notice the S-shaped curve, a hallmark of youth and beauty. The skin in the neck has been undermined and tightened. Note also the minimal swelling and bruising at one week, from the use of fibrin glue. Not everyone will recover this rapidly but that is the goal.
Looking for a Facelift in the Seattle Area?
Dr. Baxter is a nationally recognized plastic surgery expert providing Facelift Surgery with his experienced and caring staff in an accredited, private surgical facility in the Seattle area. He has been voted “Western Washington’s Favorite Plastic Surgeon” and was elected by his peers to be listed in the “Guide to America’s Top Physicians.” We'd like to help guide you through YOUR facelift procedure, just use our consultation form to request a consultation or call us at 425-776-0880.