Aging is inevitable, but sometimes the signs of aging appear earlier than we would like. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and regular exercise help keep your body and skin healthy. However, it is nearly impossible to prevent the appearance of signs of aging over time

As we age, the skin begins to lose its elasticity, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is an effective solution to remove sagging and tighten the skin, which helps restore a youthful appearance.

What is a facelift?

A facelift is a surgery that aims to tighten loose skin and improve the overall appearance of the face. This procedure helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and tighten sagging skin in areas such as the forehead, cheeks, jaw, and neck.

Plastic surgeons use a variety of facelift techniques, and the choice of technique depends on the condition of the face, the degree of sagging, and the desired results.

How is a facelift performed?

During a facelift, the surgeon makes small incisions in the skin to remove excess skin and fat, and then the incisions are closed using small sutures or clips. The goal of the operation is:

• Smoothing wrinkles and fine lines

• Removing sagging excess skin

• Firming and toning out the appearance of the skin

• Giving your face a more youthful and refreshed look

Who needs a facelift?

A facelift may be recommended for people who meet any of the following criteria:

• Healthy people who suffer from the effects of aging such as sagging cheeks or the appearance of deep lines between the nose and mouth.

• People who experience loss of volume in the face or sagging in the center of the face.

• People who have deep wrinkles under the eyes or around the mouth.

• People who suffer from a double chin due to loose skin or fat accumulation under the chin and jaw.

• People who have realistic expectations about the outcome of the operation.

A facelift is not suitable for people with signs of aging such as fine lines, skin spots, or sun damage, as these conditions are usually treated with laser techniques or other cosmetic procedures.

Expectations/Results After a Facelift

A facelift usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. After the procedure, the surgeon will place a bandage around the incisions on both sides of the head.

You may feel a slight tightness or pain around your eyes after the anesthesia wears off, but the pain is usually mild and manageable with prescription medications.

A few days after the operation, the bandages will be replaced with a special elastic belt that supports the tissue and aids healing. You can expect to remove the stitches 5 to 10 days after the procedure.

It is normal to feel sensitivity or tightness in the skin of the face or mild pain or numbness in the muscles after the procedure. But these symptoms will gradually disappear after a few days.