While no one has yet found a true fountain of youth, ingenious surgeons have made it possible to roll back the hands of time for many people by way of a facelift. Also known as rhytidectomy, a face lift can be a perfect solution to tugging and sagging effects of gravity. This procedure can eliminate all sorts of undesirable facial blemishes such as double chins, deep under-eye bags, cheek jowls, and even displaced and fallen face fat. There are many different types of facelifts available today, but the most common is the traditional surgical facelift.



A traditional face lift is the process of surgically removing excess fat and skin from the face by cutting and stretching it. A surgeon will typically make an incision in or above the hairline that extends down in front of the ear, goes below the ear, and up the backside of the ear ending in the hairline again. The skin is then lifted up off the muscles and connecting tissues so the surgeon can remove any unwanted fatty deposits. The skin is then stretched back with the excess skin being cut off to create a smoother, younger look. The operation is completed with suturing or stitching the tightened skin back to the incision line. Many times, the surgeon will leave a drainage tube in the skin to allow for the removal of excess blood and other fluids.

This process generally takes place as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. It can take anywhere from three to seven hours depending on the style and skill level of the surgeon. Recovering from a face lift operation varies by patient but activity can usually be resumed the next day and normal social and work pursuits can take place three or four days after the surgery. The facelift stitches will be removed after about a week. Although the pain from the operation should be minimal, there may be some swelling and bruises. With the plethora of cosmetics in the market today, these can easily be covered up though.

Facelifts are not for everyone however. The prime candidate will be between the ages of 40 and 70, be physically fit, and have good skin elasticity. Smokers are generally advised against the procedure as smoking will decrease the effectiveness of the results. Finally, those considering a face lift should have realistic expectations about their appearance and how much the surgery can realistically effect their lives as a whole.

There are some risks associated with the facelift procedure. These include the possibility of infection at the incision site or under the skin, bleeding and bruising, hair loss around the incision, and scarring. Those undergoing the surgery may also face temporary loss of muscle function in their face as well with the loss of skin and as a result of dying tissue. All of these effects seem to be quite rare though. The most common outcome of the facelift is that more cosmetic surgeries become necessary to keep up the results. Most often these consist of necklifts, liposuction, fat injections, eyelid surgery, and browlifts.

Face lifts are certainly not for the fainthearted, but they can offer younger looking skin for up to ten years, a benefit that may well outweigh any risks for those seeking to outsmart the aging process.