Face and Neck Lift
Facelift
Ageing, gravity, stress, smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition, sun exposure and other factors can cause sagging, under-eye bags and deep wrinkles in the face.
With age, the soft tissue in the face decreases and slides downwards over the facial bones under the effect of gravity. This can be described as the skin becoming ‘too loose’ for the face. The aim of facelift surgery is to remove this excess and create tighter, firmer skin.
In a facelift, the excess sagging skin of the face is removed and the thin layer of muscle beneath the skin is reshaped and tightened.
What are the signs of an ageing face?
Ageing causes the following changes in the face:
- More pronounced forehead lines
- Drooping eyebrows
- Sagging eyelids
- Lines at the corners of the eyes, known as crow’s feet
- Bags and lines under the eyes
- Sagging cheeks and loss of fullness in the cheekbone area
- Skin folds and deepening of the nasolabial folds (between the nose and mouth)
- Blurring or loss of the jawline contour
- Sagging and fat accumulation in the neck and under the chin
- Neck bands and deep wrinkles in the neck
- An increase in sun spots on the facial skin
How is facelift surgery performed?
Depending on where the problem lies, facelift surgery may target the upper face, including the forehead and eyebrows; the mid-face, including the eye area and its surroundings; or the lower face, including the mouth, jaw and neck. The aim of facial rejuvenation surgery is to lift sagging, loosened tissues in different areas of the face back to their original position and to tighten the skin by removing the excess.
In a facelift, the scars are hidden within the hair at the temples and in the natural creases in front of and behind the ears. Because they are concealed, the scars are not very noticeable.
Combining a facelift with eyelid surgery, skin peeling, fillers or Botox can also improve the result.
How long does the operation take?
The operation takes 2–5 hours under general anaesthesia. However, it takes longer if procedures such as upper and lower eyelid surgery, a forehead lift or a brow lift are performed alongside the facelift.
What should I pay attention to after surgery?
After the operation, the patient stays in hospital for one night and is then discharged.
Although significant pain is not expected, there may be some pain, which is relieved with painkillers. In some cases, drains are placed and removed after 1–2 days. Swelling and bruising of the face are likely, but they almost completely disappear within 1–2 weeks, after which the patient returns to daily life.
In suitable patients, the effects of a well-performed facelift last around 8–10 years. However, it is worth bearing in mind that ageing continues after surgery.
Neck Lift
Neck lift surgery is performed to treat problems in the neck that become more pronounced with age, such as wrinkling, sagging, thickening and displacement of tissues.
The effect of gravity on the skin, tissues and muscles causes visible sagging and changes in the neck. Arch-shaped folds form on the neck, and fat collects under the chin. Together with changes in the face, this leads to a noticeable change in a person’s appearance.
In neck and lower face lifts, an incision is made sometimes in front of and behind the ears and sometimes under the chin. The skin of the face and neck is released, and the excess skin is removed. If necessary, fat under the chin and in the double-chin area is removed with liposuction.
A facelift and neck lift are usually planned together. These operations are mostly performed under general anaesthesia.
As with any operation, scars remain, but because the incisions are made under the chin, behind the sideburn line and in front of and behind the ears, they do not attract attention.
In the first days after surgery, there may be mild pain, bruising and moderate swelling.