Many people today consider a facelift to outrun the effects of aging. The traditional technique is a great choice for many people who are looking for complete rejuvenation and tightening of the face, but many people do not realize there are other options available as well. These include the deep plane, mid and the thread lift.

Traditional Facelift

The traditional technique is also known as a rhytidectomy and is considered a major plastic surgery. It does offer outstanding, dramatic results that can last for roughly 10 years. While there are plenty of variations even with traditional techniques, the basic procedure is to make a long incision behind the ears and extend it into the hairline. The facial skin is then carefully loosened from the underlying muscles and the loose skin is stretch up and removed.

Sometimes, the muscles are tightened or the skin may be reshaped over the muscles. The facial skin is then pulled tight and sewn back together at the original incision line. The recovery typically includes swelling, bruising, and some pain. The pain can be managed with prescription medications and your plastic surgeon may recommend various treatments for the swelling.

Full recovery takes between four and six weeks. The results are smoother, tighter skin and a great reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. The facelift may not be particularly effective however, at getting rid of wrinkles and sagging in the neck, eyebrows, forehead, and eyelids.

Deep plane lift

This option is best for senior patients with a lot of sagging facial skin and a great loss of elasticity. During this cosmetic surgery procedure only the skin in the midface and cheekbones are cut and repositioned.

Those that choose this procedure do so because it is known for producing dramatic yet natural results that do not created an "stretched-out" look that can occur with a full rhytidectomy. The benefits of this surgery that are so prominent around the jaw, chin, cheeks, and smile creases can last up to 15 years.

Mid facelift

The mid facelift is a plastic surgery that deals with the dame areas as the deep plane lift but it uses incisions in the hairline and inside the mouth to get at the targeted tissues. The fatty layer is loosened and repositioned over the cheekbones to restore a younger look of plumper, higher cheekbones and less sagging in the lower half of the face. This is a great cosmetic surgery for those looking to get tighter, smoother skin in the nasolabial area

Thread lift

This is actually a noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure that is best for people in the age range of 30 to 45. The results are not as dramatic as a traditional facelift, but there is also less pain and recovery time. The skin is repositioned but not loosened from the underlying skin.

Barb sutures are used to gather skin layers and pull them into a tighter position. The barbs stay in place permanently, or until another type of procedure is undergone later. This technique can help improve the look of aging skin for up to five years.