The Facelift turns back the clock. After surgery, some patients appear as much as 10 years younger. The Facelift can be done alone or in combination with a forehead lift, eyelid surgery,nose reshaping and neck lift. The Facelift improves the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping the skin of your face and neck.

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There are several names and variations associated with a facelift, all dependant upon the patient’s individual facial conditions. Facelifts are categorized by the type of incision, the number of tissue layers treated during the procedure, the area of the face treated and the invasiveness of the lift procedure.

The deep plane facelift, called the SMAS Lift, addresses the underlying tissue layer or layers and muscles resulting in the longest-lasting and most dramatic facial rejuvenation—ideal for older patients. A less invasive facelift is the subperiosteal lift, in which Dr. Lee lifts facial tissue specifically for facial implants. Implants are recommended for aspects of the face that are undersized, for example the chin or cheekbones. A third type of lift that is less invasive is known as the mini-facelift. This mini-facelift is recommended for younger patients who are not yet true candidates for a full facelift. Sometimes called the “S” lift, the incision used in this procedure actually forms an “S” shape starting at the base of the sideburn and continuing to the inside of the ear.

Dr. Lee performs several variations on the facelift in order to resolve specific patient concerns.

Older patients with severe facial sagging and laxity typically benefit most from a deep plane lift. Dr. Lee is careful to avoid the overly-tightened look in the Deep Plane Lifts he performs. The deep plane lift offers the most dramatic improvement to the face, because the underlying tissue layers and muscles of the face are lifted and repositioned, improving the jaw line and nasolabial folds (the lines that fall from the nose to the mouth sometimes called “marionette” lines). The deep plane lift creates dramatic, yet very natural changes in the mid-face area.

During the procedure, tissue in the mid facial region and the cheekbones is lifted and repositioned. Smokers most often benefit from this technique vs. other facelift procedures. Incisions are made along the hairline so that the facial muscles and upper fatty tissue layers can be easily lifted and repositioned. As well, the facial muscles are lifted and repositioned along with the fatty layer above them and are then secured. The result is a far more youthful appearance. The extent of the deep plane lift performed may affect the level of resulting swelling and bruising.

Ideal candidates for a mid facelift are typically between the ages of 40 and 50, when the cheek area sags and the nasolabial area shows lax folds of skin. The procedure often requires several small incisions along the hairline and inside the mouth so that the layers of fatty tissue can be most effectively lifted and repositioned.

By one’s mid-30s nasolabial folds can begin to appear. This soft tissue around the cheekbones becomes more lax and sags slightly, sometimes resulting in a more masculine look for women. Dr. Lee uses small incisions in the hairline and the inside of the mouth for this mid-range solution to ensure that scars are practically nonexistent. The natural fatty layer over the cheekbones is lifted and repositioned improving the fullness over the cheekbones and smoothing the nose-to-mouth lines, resulting in a more youthful appearance.