A facelift can reduce signs of aging such as sagging skin, deep folds, and jowls, offering a more youthful appearance. This procedure adjusts the facial skin and underlying muscles to create a smoother, fresher look. At Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Naperville, IL, we can help rejuvenate your face with our facelifts, and we have other surgical options that you can consider, too.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, or a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure where excess skin is removed from the facial area to reduce signs of aging in the face and neck areas. This process involves lifting and repositioning the facial skin and underlying tissues to create a more refined and youthful appearance. Our goal is to refresh and rejuvenate the facial contours without taking away from your distinct features.
What Can a Facelift Treat?
A facelift can address several age-related concerns. It primarily targets sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and folds around the lower face and neck, creating a smoother and more defined facial silhouette. This procedure can also improve the appearance of jowls and tighten loose skin.
What a Facelift Cannot Treat
While a facelift can transform and revitalize the appearance of the lower face and neck, it does not halt the aging process or change fundamental facial structures. It is not designed to address surface-level skin concerns such as fine lines, sun damage, or uneven skin tone. It is also not suitable for signs of aging on the upper half of the face since it predominantly affects lower facial areas.
Common Cosmetic Procedures Performed Alongside the Facelift
Blepharoplasty
Often performed in conjunction with facelift surgery, blepharoplasty addresses aging signs around the eyes. This procedure corrects drooping eyelids and removes under-eye bags, enhancing the eyes’ youthful and alert appearance. By combining these surgeries, patients can address concerns in the upper and lower quadrants of the face.
Brow Lifts
Brow lifts complement the effects of a facelift by elevating the brows and smoothing forehead wrinkles. This procedure corrects drooping of the eyebrows, which can contribute to a tired or angry expression. The combined approach can give you a cohesive, youthful look across the entire face.
Neck Lifts
A neck lift is commonly performed alongside a facelift procedure to enhance the neck’s appearance and match the rejuvenated facial contours. This treatment specifically targets sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle banding in the neck area. Together, these procedures provide a seamless, natural transition between the face and neck.
Facial Fat Transfer
Incorporating facial fat transfer into a rhytidectomy can restore lost volume and enhance facial contours. This method involves transferring fat from other body parts to the face for a fuller and more youthful appearance.
What to Know About Combined Cosmetic Surgery
Preparing for Combined Cosmetic Surgery
When planning for combined cosmetic surgery, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to allow for a smoother process. Listen to your doctor about how to manage medications and prepare your body for surgery. If you smoke, you will need to quit several weeks in advance of your procedure. There may also be certain supplements or medications that you will need to stay away from before your surgery.
During the Surgery
If your facelift surgery is combined with other procedures, the operation may take longer since the focus will be on multiple areas that each require a unique technique. When making incisions, especially on the facial area where they can be more noticeable, we are careful to hide them within natural folds and creases when possible and use techniques to minimize their visibility.
Recovery and Results From Combined Surgeries
The facelift recovery period may vary when additional surgeries are involved. Combined procedures can sometimes result in a slightly longer recovery time. You can speak to your surgeon to find out what you can expect your recovery to look like. Make sure to follow all of the post-operative instructions closely, including resting and avoiding strenuous activities, to help your healing to be as smooth and fast as possible.
What Are the Benefits of Combining Procedures?
- Improved Results: Combining procedures with a facelift can harmonize facial features, leading to more comprehensive and satisfying outcomes.
- Shortened Total Recovery Time: While the overall recovery time may be longer than it would be with just a facelift, combining them reduces the total recovery time compared to undergoing multiple separate surgeries. This means less time away from work and daily activities.
- Reduced Appointments: Scheduling multiple facelift procedures at once decreases the number of pre- and post-operative visits. This consolidation is more efficient, saving time and simplifying the treatment process.
- Reduced Anesthesia: Undergoing combined procedures means anesthesia is administered once, rather than multiple times for separate surgeries. This can reduce the risks associated with anesthesia and improve patient comfort.
- More Convenient for Out-of-State Patients: For those traveling for a facelift, combining procedures can be particularly beneficial. It reduces the need for multiple trips, making the process more efficient and less stressful for out-of-state patients.
Combining Your Surgery With Non-Invasive Treatments
Injectables
Combining facelift surgery with injectables like fillers, neuromodulators, and biostimulators like Sculptra® can enhance the overall rejuvenation effects. These injectables address fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss, complementing the lifting and tightening achieved through surgery. They can refine the results by smoothing out minor imperfections and restoring facial volume.
Microneedling
Post-facelift surgery, incorporating microneedling techniques such as SkinPen®, Morpheus8, or microneedling with PRP can further improve skin texture and firmness. These treatments are known for their skin tightening and skin resurfacing benefits, promoting collagen production and enhancing the youthful appearance of the skin.
Laser and IPL Treatments
When we combine facelift surgery with laser treatments like Cutera Titan®, Cutera Pearl, Laser Genesis, or a photofacial like Limelight™ IPL, we can address a variety of skin concerns. These technologies excel at skin tightening, skin resurfacing, and dark spot removal. They help refine skin texture, even out skin tone, and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Get the Most Out of Your Facelift Results
Combining a facelift with other cosmetic procedures at Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Naperville, IL, can provide enhanced and comprehensive results. By addressing multiple areas of concern, patients can achieve a more youthful and revitalized appearance with a single recovery period. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please reach out or call us directly at (815) 267-8830.