From Head to Neck: The Different Types of Facelifts For You To Consider

Do you feel like your face doesn't reflect your inner youth and vitality. Have you become “invisible?”. In the world of cosmetic procedures, facial and neck rejuvenation is a popular choice for many women and men who feel this way. Taking back your youthful look with less wrinkles and sagging skin on your face or neck can shave years off your appearance to give you a fresh, younger look! With the advancements in cosmetic surgery technology, there are numerous options today for facial and neck rejuvenation.

With over 80 combined years of experience, the plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston in Northern, VA can offer a solution to contour your face and fight the signs of aging by targeting a certain part of the face or neck or all at once with a full facelift. A cosmetic facial “lift” of any kind can be tailored to your needs so that you like what you see staring back at you in the mirror. Removing wrinkles, tightening loose skin, and lifting certain areas of the face, such as the forehead or cheeks can all be beneficial to turning back the hands of time. Let's take a look at the many face and neck rejuvenation options offered at our plastic surgery center:

Full Brow Lift

Also known as a forehead lift, this cosmetic procedure can dramatically reduce and diminish wrinkles and lines or creases along the forehead or brow area leaving a softer, rejuvenated look. Small incisions are made on each side of the scalp usually at the hairline to vertically move skin upward in order to tighten it. It can even aid in helping with sagging skin that hangs over the upper eyelid area and raising the eyebrow area to leave a more youthful appearance. For a smoother, even more dramatic upper face improvement, this procedure is often combined with BOTOX to create optimal results.

Temporal Brow Lift

An alternative to a full brow lift is a temporal brow lift. It involves smaller incisions made at the side of the face placed in the hairline to diagonally tighten the skin outward toward the temples. This lift is less invasive than a full brow lift and has a quicker recovery with less downtime. This can be an option for anyone needing a “smaller” lift in the brow, forehead, or upper cheek area to tighten loose skin and remove smaller wrinkles or creases.

Mid-Face Lift

This cosmetic lift procedure affects the middle area of the face by utilizing 2 small incisions usuallymade under the lower eyelashes. Loose skin and creases in the area under the eye can be smoothed and tightened,. but, the most prominent improvements with a mid-face lift are seen in the cheeks as it is lifted for a dramatic outcome. This is an option for middle-aged individuals who have mid-face sagging and wrinkles, but who do not need a full lower facelift to handle a loose neck and jowls. It doesn't involve the brow or forehead area but a brow or temporal lift can be done at the same time.

Eyelid Lift

Also known as blepharoplasty, this procedure removes excess skin on the upper eyelid area and can reduce puffiness or “bags” under the eyes. One or both areas can be done at the same time. Eyelids are predisposed to “thin skin” and as we age our skin loses elasticity therefore causing the eyelids to be one of the first areas affected by natural aging even causing drooping skin to impede vision in some cases. Though mainly a cosmetic surgery it can also be a medical necessity. An eyelid lift opens the eyes, allowing men and women to look more alert and “awakened”.

Lip Lift

There are several variations to a lip lift depending on how you want to shape or contour your current lips. Not to be mistaken with lip “fillers” to add volume, this is a cosmetic surgical procedure that enhances the lips to either have a different shape or to help with aging and loose skin around the mouth area. A small incision is typically made beneath the nose, in an area called the nostril sill. Younger looking lips can change the face dramatically with one simple surgery.

Corner of the Mouth Lift

When the corners of the mouth droop down or sag to give a permanent “frown” look this surgical procedure is the answer. Also if injectable fillers were previously tried but were unable to lessen the sagging of the lips at the corners of the mouth then a corner of the mouth lift can be the solution. There are many variations of the corner mouth lift, but all are done with small incisions where the lips meet.

Neck Lift

Also known as a rhytidectomy this procedure can help restore your neck and jowlsto remove excess, sagging skin or extra fatty tissue. It can also remove excess fatty tissue under the chin or help contour the neck if a muscle band due to the natural aging process has occurred in the front or the back. A neck lift can help define your profile, remove the appearance of a “turkey neck” that can sometimes occur with aging or weight loss, and create a smooth, younger look. Neck lift surgery often garners some of the most dramatic results of all cosmetic facial surgeries.

Facial Rejuvenation

Put all of this together, maybe add in some skin “polishing,” and you've got a facial rejuvenation. This common Northern Virginia combination is performed to enhance and rejuvenate the entire face from the forehead down to the neck or collar bone. A more in depth procedure due to targeting several areas of the face and neck at one time, it involves multiple integrated incisions.

A facial rejuvenation,, will enhance the brow, eyes, cheeks, and mouth area while contouring the neck for a completely rejuvenated appearance. Depending on your age, the condition of your skin, and personal goals for recovery and cost, this combination surgery can be performed using a number of methods and variations. In addition, it is common to combine a facial rejuvenation with a nonsurgical enhancement such as fillers, laser peels, or BOTOX.

Several factors can contribute to looking older. Environmental factors, sun exposure, smoking, genetics, weight loss, and the natural aging process where gravity no longer is our friend. All play a part in forming loose, sagging skin and wrinkles. Men and women from around the world come to Northern Virginia to take back their youthful look so their outside matches how they feel on the inside. With so many facelift options to consider, call Austin-Weston today for your consultation to learn more about your options.