Facelift / Neck Lift (Rhytidectomy)
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Dallas, TX
The face shows some of the most visible signs of aging first before any other place on the body. If your reflection in the mirror is starting to look older than you feel, a facelift (rhytidectomy) may help you look younger and more refreshed. Dr. Steven J. White is a board-certified plastic surgeon that performs facelift surgery for Dallas patients seeking natural, lasting results. By incorporating the latest skin tightening techniques, Dr. White’s facelift tightens underlying facial tissues, removes excess fat, and smoothens loose skin on the face and neck. This improves cheek folds, loose jowls and sagging skin around the neck. Combined with nonsurgical skin rejuvenation treatments such as BOTOX or a skin resurfacing procedure, the results can take a decade off of one’s appearance.
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Best Candidates
Good candidates for facelifts are men or women who demonstrate:
- Looseness of skin in the middle face
- Looseness of skin in the jaw line and neck
- Loss of volume in skin of the face and/or neck
What to Expect
During the consultation, we will evaluate the patient’s overall health along with their skin quality, skin looseness, folds, and wrinkles. In addition, the underlying bone anatomy will be assessed and a facial rejuvenation treatment plan will be created that will help attain the best results. There are several variations of a surgical facelift, including a skin-only lift, which is reserved for patients with less sagging, a mid-facelift, which address the cheeks and mid-face area, and for those with severe sagging, a deep-plane lift, which addresses deeper wrinkles and folds. It is very common to combine nonsurgical techniques with a facelift to maximize results. This may include wrinkle fillers or BOTOX, as well as a chemical peel or a laser treatment to address skin irregularities on the surface, such as scars, sunspots and blemishes.
Facelift Recovery
Depending on the extent of the facelift and the patient’s overall health, patients may have an overnight stay or be discharged later in the evening. Swelling and bruising are expected after facelift surgery. The swelling and bruising will start to resolve during the first week after surgery, although this will vary between patients. Usually, patients may go out in public within 10 days with the aid of camouflage make-up. Most patients can resume modest activity in 2-3 weeks. A complete recovery from a facelift surgery occurs in about 4-6 weeks. Supplemental procedures, such as nonsurgical skin rejuvenation, can usually be performed at this time.
Turn Back the Hands of Time
Facelifts are becoming more and more common, especially with advanced surgical skills and progressive surgical techniques. Experienced surgeons understand the anatomy of the face and produce results that are not only lasting, but also natural by appearance. If you are ready to turn back the hands of time and look younger today, we encourage you to call our plastic surgery office and schedule a complete consultation to learn more.
Facelift FAQs
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or “rhytidectomy,” is a surgical procedure designed to improve the most visible signs of the aging process by eliminating excess fat, tightening the muscles beneath the skin of the neck, and removing sagging skin. It doesn’t stop the aging process but merely “sets the clock back.”
What Is a SMAS?
The SMAS is a layer beneath the skin that invests the facial muscles. By tightening the SMAS, the jowls are lifted, the neck is tightened, and the cheeks are elevated. This “deep” or “two-layer” facelift is an improvement over earlier skin-only techniques.
Lasting Results?
No one can say for sure. The clock is turned back but keeps on running. Ten years later, you will look better than if you never had surgery. Many patients never have a second lift, while others may desire further surgery seven to 15 years later.
Scarless Facelift Surgery?
The scars from facelift surgery usually fade and are barely perceptible. In some patients, especially younger ones, endoscopic surgery can be used to lift the eyebrows, remove frown lines, elevate the cheek and jowls, and tighten the neck. This endoscopic surgery can be done with tiny scars. However, if there is excessive skin, it must be removed for the best results through standard facelift incisions.
Time Away From Work?
Most patients are able to return to work in a week. You should allow several weeks before major social engagements.