+353 (0)1 206 4219
A rhytidectomy, or facelift, is one of several procedures involved in surgical facial rejuvenation. It focuses on the restoration of shape and contour in the facial area to combat the loss of volume and softening of facial soft tissue that comes with aging.
As a lead consultant plastic surgeon specialising in cosmetic surgery at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, I have seen many improvements in the area of facelift surgery. It is no longer a procedure that simply involves only tightening of the skin or trimming off excess skin from the face, and has now evolved from simple facial skin tightening surgery to a more anatomically detailed surgery leading to a more natural looking appearance with a safer and more predictable outcome.
While we may not feel our age, when we reach our 30s or 40s, many people start to notice the skin and fatty tissue on their face sagging, a sunken appearance, or loss of volume in the cheeks. The loss of elasticity and volume in the tissue and fat of the face can be as a result of natural aging, stress, heredity factors and environment.
Understandably, people may want to revitalise and rejuvenate this part of the body that is most on view to the world, and want to reflect their sense of identity and youthfulness in their facial appearance.
A facelift can help combat the signs of aging and enhance the appearance of the different aesthetic units of the face, while ensuring harmony to promote a natural look.
Standard open facelift surgery involves the dissection and re-draping of facial tissues. It requires a thorough understanding of the surgical anatomy of the face on the part of the surgeon, so as to avoid nerve damage, minimise bleeding and reduce the risk of haematoma formation.
As with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications involved in a facelift, and your surgeon should explain these clearly during consultation.
You should only ever proceed with the surgery if you fully understand these risks, and you should always feel comfortable in going back to the surgeon with any questions you may have before you decide to undergo the procedure. The surgeon must also discuss alternative options to the proposed surgery.
As all faces are different and each person has a unique facial contour and harmony, you should also only decide to undergo the procedure with a cosmetic surgeon who will critically assess and examine the various components involved in the particular aesthetic procedure and what will work best for your own facial features.
A traditional facelift will involve small incisions being made near your hairline and ears, which is to prevent visible scarring. In a traditional facelift procedure, these incisions will begin near your temples and end behind your ears.
Placement of the skin incision is one of the most important components of a facelift procedure, because poorly placed skin incisions can be the tell-tale sign of having had a ‘job’ done on your face, and can also distort the ear lobe.
In some cases, patients are eligible to have what’s known as a “limited incision” facelift. This means that the incisions will be shorter and are hidden within the creases of your skin near your hairline and your ears. Patients with severe signs of facial aging often choose to undergo upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at the same time as the facelift procedure, and in these cases incisions will also need to be made near the eyes.
All incisions made on the face will heal with a certain degree of scarring, but meticulous plastic surgical techniques can minimise the severity of surgical incision scars. Meticulous skin closure without undue tension is also very important in achieving a great outcome for the patient.
Recovery time for a facelift procedure is generally considered to be quite short. Most patients are completely able to go about their daily business as usual after about 2 or 3 weeks.
While shape and contour restoration are the goals of facelift surgery, the procedure is age- orientated so that it looks natural in that particular patient. We all age differently, and show signs of aging in different parts of our face, so many surgical techniques are used in facelift surgery to accommodate the many variations seen in the biophysical profiles of patients.
Facelift patients can enjoy a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance, which raises levels of self-confidence. Repairing loose skin or softened fatty tissue gives a smoother look, improved facial contours and a tightening of facial muscles to give less tension in the face. When performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon, a facelift can return a youthful look to your face and help you feel more like the real you.
If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic surgery procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide: Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post- Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
A rhytidectomy, or facelift, is one of several procedures involved in surgical facial rejuvenation. It focuses on the restoration of shape and contour in the facial area to combat the loss of volume and softening of facial soft tissue that comes with aging.
As a lead consultant plastic surgeon specialising in cosmetic surgery at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, I have seen many improvements in the area of facelift surgery. It is no longer a procedure that simply involves only tightening of the skin or trimming off excess skin from the face, and has now evolved from simple facial skin tightening surgery to a more anatomically detailed surgery leading to a more natural looking appearance with a safer and more predictable outcome.
While we may not feel our age, when we reach our 30s or 40s, many people start to notice the skin and fatty tissue on their face sagging, a sunken appearance, or loss of volume in the cheeks. The loss of elasticity and volume in the tissue and fat of the face can be as a result of natural aging, stress, heredity factors and environment.
Understandably, people may want to revitalise and rejuvenate this part of the body that is most on view to the world, and want to reflect their sense of identity and youthfulness in their facial appearance.
A facelift can help combat the signs of aging and enhance the appearance of the different aesthetic units of the face, while ensuring harmony to promote a natural look.
Standard open facelift surgery involves the dissection and re-draping of facial tissues. It requires a thorough understanding of the surgical anatomy of the face on the part of the surgeon, so as to avoid nerve damage, minimise bleeding and reduce the risk of haematoma formation.
As with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks and complications involved in a facelift, and your surgeon should explain these clearly during consultation.
You should only ever proceed with the surgery if you fully understand these risks, and you should always feel comfortable in going back to the surgeon with any questions you may have before you decide to undergo the procedure. The surgeon must also discuss alternative options to the proposed surgery.
As all faces are different and each person has a unique facial contour and harmony, you should also only decide to undergo the procedure with a cosmetic surgeon who will critically assess and examine the various components involved in the particular aesthetic procedure and what will work best for your own facial features.
A traditional facelift will involve small incisions being made near your hairline and ears, which is to prevent visible scarring. In a traditional facelift procedure, these incisions will begin near your temples and end behind your ears.
Placement of the skin incision is one of the most important components of a facelift procedure, because poorly placed skin incisions can be the tell-tale sign of having had a ‘job’ done on your face, and can also distort the ear lobe.
In some cases, patients are eligible to have what’s known as a “limited incision” facelift. This means that the incisions will be shorter and are hidden within the creases of your skin near your hairline and your ears. Patients with severe signs of facial aging often choose to undergo upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at the same time as the facelift procedure, and in these cases incisions will also need to be made near the eyes.
All incisions made on the face will heal with a certain degree of scarring, but meticulous plastic surgical techniques can minimise the severity of surgical incision scars. Meticulous skin closure without undue tension is also very important in achieving a great outcome for the patient.
Recovery time for a facelift procedure is generally considered to be quite short. Most patients are completely able to go about their daily business as usual after about 2 or 3 weeks.
While shape and contour restoration are the goals of facelift surgery, the procedure is age- orientated so that it looks natural in that particular patient. We all age differently, and show signs of aging in different parts of our face, so many surgical techniques are used in facelift surgery to accommodate the many variations seen in the biophysical profiles of patients.
Facelift patients can enjoy a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance, which raises levels of self-confidence. Repairing loose skin or softened fatty tissue gives a smoother look, improved facial contours and a tightening of facial muscles to give less tension in the face. When performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon, a facelift can return a youthful look to your face and help you feel more like the real you.
If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure, we can advise on the best options for you. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Find out all you need to know about cosmetic surgery procedures and the factors you need to consider in our free guide: Considerations Before Deciding on Cosmetic Surgery and Post- Treatment Care:
Download Mr. Chan's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
