What is a Facelift? The Basics of Rhytidectomy

Filed in archive Facelift , Procedures on March 6, 2010

A basic discussion about what facelift
can achieve

Facelift, also called rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed to improve the visible signs of age in the face and neck by tightening the skin and muscles in the face and the removal of excess skin or fat. Facelift is intended to give a refreshed look to the face, rather than target certain facial flaws like heavy eyelids or perioral wrinkles. Facelift targets the lower half of the face. Anything above the eyes is treated with a brow lift, and often blepharoplasty, neck lift and brow lift is performed in conjunction with facelift to complete the look.

The basic facelift procedure:
Incisions are made in the hairline, following the contour of the ear in front of the ear, extending under the earlobe and back into the hairline. The skin is then elevated and repositioned and extra skin is removed. Sometimes, depending on the work being done, deeper tissues in the face are repositioned. Additionally, a small incision may be made under the chin to facilitate fatty tissue removal in that area or help smooth the appearance of the neck.

A facelift may take 10 years off a person's appearance, providing with a refreshed natural look rather than an extreme change in features.

Facelifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, and stitches or sutures can be removed within 10-14 days, allowing the patient to go out in public; however it usually takes about 4 weeks for patients to feel completely normal and return to all regular activities. Some doctors say that the final appearance resulting from a facelift is not achieved until 6-9 months after the procedure.

Risks with facelift are reported to be minimal, with hematoma, infection, and reaction to anesthesia being possible but not common. As with any surgery, it's important to do your homework, researching both the procedure and the doctor and weighing the risks and benefits.

And remember, beauty is only skin deep.