What Does a Facelift Do (And Not Do)?

Facelift surgery at our San Jose, CA, practice can produce stunning anti-aging results. However, some men and women may benefit from other procedures, too, such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or nonsurgical options. Many times, these procedures can be performed in concert with each other to provide more profound, natural-looking results. But how can patients know which treatment is right for them?

When making this important decision, it is useful to know the limits of these procedures. In this blog post, we’ll address what a facelift entails, what it doesn’t address, and highlight the benefits of combining a facelift with other enhancements. 

What Does a Facelift Do?  

Facelift surgery can tighten up loose, saggy skin and smooth away wrinkles and imperfections. This gives the facial area a firmer, more youthful appearance. Dr. Hoffman performs a variety of different facelift techniques depending on the individual needs and goals of the patient. Two main options include:

• Traditional facelift: Involves an incision that begins inside the hairline, near the temple area, to around the earlobe. 
• Short scar facelift: Incision begins a few inches below the temple and continues around the earlobe.

These incisions give the surgeon access to facial muscles, tissues, and skin they can carefully readjust. The procedure involves the use of anesthesia and requires some recovery downtime. 

When Should You Get a Facelift? 

Facelift surgery is a good option when other treatments begin to fall short. If a “liquid facelift” via injectables is no longer producing the desired rejuvenation, it is time to consider a surgical facelift. Facelift surgery is also needed when lax skin and sagging jowls create a tired, droopy appearance. If the face takes on a squared-off shape, rather than a more youthful oval, surgery can improve this issue. 

What Doesn’t a Facelift Address?  

While a facelift can accomplish many things, the surgery does not: 

• Correct skin texture, discoloration, or deep acne scars. Nonsurgical procedures such as Fraxel®, IPL, TempSure, and chemical peels are better options for these issues. 
• Smooth vertical neck bands and wrinkles or eliminate a double chin. A neck lift removes excess fat and skin under the chin and tightens neck skin to reduce wrinkles and banding. 
• Eliminate drooping upper eyelids or puffiness and wrinkles beneath the eye. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) addresses some of these signs of aging. 
• Reduce the appearance of a heavy, sagging brow line or wrinkled forehead. A brow lift creates a more rested appearance by elevating the brow line and smoothing forehead lines. 

What Are the Best Complements to a Facelift? 

Since a facelift mostly addresses the lower third of the face, procedures that target aging in the upper face—such as blepharoplasty or a brow lift—are ideal complements to a facelift. A facelift can often be performed at the same time as a neck lift or blepharoplasty in a single surgery.

You may also want to consider combining a facelift with fat transfer. A fat transfer allows us to take excess fat from one area of the body, purify it, and inject it into the face to restore lost volume. 

Dermal fillers, BOTOX, chemical peels, and IPL can also freshen and prolong facelift results and address aging skin issues. These are great nonsurgical treatments that can keep your face looking fresh for years to come.

In the end, choosing to undergo facelift surgery is a big decision. While the procedure isn’t right for everyone, it works great for patients who want to tighten saggy skin and rejuvenate their faces.

If you would like to learn more about facelift surgery in the San Jose area, please request a consultation online. You can also contact our practice by phone at (650) 325-1118 (Palo Alto) or (408) 371-1118 (Campbell).