As time goes by, the skin loses its firmness, and it is natural for facial volume to change, tissues to become lax, and accentuate wrinkles or creases that did not exist before.

 Most of the time, people who want a rejuvenating intervention with visible effects on the face turn to a facelift for a natural result that will last over time.

If you are interested in knowing more information about facelift, in this guide, you will find complete info about what it involves and to whom it is addressed, benefits, risks and complications, and post-operative care recommendations. 

What is facelift surgery?

A facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed by a plastic surgeon, involving local or general anesthesia, at the end of which the patient enjoys a fresher appearance of the face with a visible rejuvenating effect.

This surgery helps to remove excess skin and tighten the tissue of the face, cheeks, and neck for a firmer appearance and smoother skin on the neck.

The procedure takes anywhere between 2 and 5 hours, and the patient is sometimes hospitalized for one day. 

Who can benefit from a facelift?

People aged between 30 and 60 can have a facelift if they want a younger-looking face. This surgery aims to rejuvenate the appearance of the face and neck, and for a greater change and a unified improvement of the facial line, a facelift is accompanied by a brow lift, neck lift, and blepharoplasty.

Also, a facelift does not change the texture of the skin and does not increase its tone, which is why it is often combined with other aesthetic procedures that offer these skin rejuvenating properties, such as chemical peels or botulinum toxin injections.

Who is the right candidate for this intervention?

A good candidate for a facelift is a person who:

• has sagging skin on the face and neck

• has relatively well-preserved skin elasticity

• is in good health

• weight kept constant for the last six months

• has a fine facial bone structure

• has realistic expectations

What happens during the first consultation?

If you are thinking of getting a facelift, it's important to set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon you trust. During this consultation, your expectations and the elements that need to be corrected with this procedure are established.

The plastic surgeon examines your face - skin, bone structure - and determines the right surgery technique - this is influenced by skin type, previous surgery, skin elasticity, patient's age, and whether the patient is a smoker or not. 

What to ask your plastic surgeon?

• If you are a good candidate and if your expectations are realistic;

• What type of procedure suits your needs;

• What type of anesthesia he or she proposes;

• What are the risks and complications predicted in your case; how will they be addressed;

• Whether scars will be visible, where they will be located and how long they will take to heal;

• How you should prepare for surgery;

• How long your recovery will take and when you will be able to return to your day-to-day activities;

• What options do you have if the outcome of the operation does not meet the terms you have discussed?

• What the results of previous similar procedures in the aesthetic doctor's portfolio look like;

• What instructions you should follow to optimize the results;

• What are the total costs.

How to prepare for facelift surgery?

In some cases, the procedure is carried out using local anesthesia, while in other cases, general anesthesia is required. It is therefore important to take the doctor's instructions into account and follow these recommendations:

• Keep yourself properly hydrated;

• Avoid certain meds such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal remedies;

• If you are a smoker, avoid smoking two months before the surgery. 

What happens during surgery?

The technique of performing the operation varies from doctor to doctor, each adopting a style and method. In addition, 'personalization' is applied, i.e., each patient is given what is needed in their case.

The procedure consists of making an incision in the front of the ear, extending upwards towards the temple into the scalp and posteriorly behind the ear. The musculature of the area is highlighted and tightened if necessary. Finally, the skin is stretched, excising the excess.

The surgery generally takes several hours, depending on the complexity and anatomical variations of each patient. 

What are the risks and complications?

Like any surgical intervention, it is not without risks, especially if the patient has certain health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular, liver, and lung diseases. At the same time, the risks increase if the patient is a smoker or has a family history of venous thrombosis.

Other risks and complications associated with a facelift might be:

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia

• Hematomas

• Infections or bleeding

• Sensory changes or unsatisfactory results. 

What are the post-operative recommendations?

By following strict medical advice, facelift patients can recover faster. Here's what to consider in the first days after the surgery:

• Rest by keeping your head elevated in a reclined position to limit swelling of the facial tissue.

• Stay in an elevated position for as long as possible and avoid bending your head down to limit the accumulation of blood under the skin.

• Follow the medication prescribed by your doctor to reduce pain and discomfort.

• Wear compression masks and apply cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling.

• You can resume sporting activity on your doctor's advice (usually one month after the operation).

• Avoid exposure to the sun, and when you leave the house, use creams with a high protection factor and clothing that covers sensitive areas of the face (hat, sunglasses).

• Facial treatments, creams, and make-up should only be applied after consultation with your surgeon.

• Avoid dyeing or bleaching hair at least six weeks after surgery. 

 If a few days after surgery the patient feels intense pain, redness, or swelling, whether associated with fever, he or she should immediately seek specialist medical help. 

Final words

Several factors, including heredity and lifestyle, play an important role in the longevity of results. Although the aging process continues, most patients are very satisfied with the results obtained over long periods of time.

A typical facelift procedure has visible effects for up to 10 to 15 years. For a natural long-term effect, consider the surgeon's recommendations.