A face lift is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures, but unfortunately the results of the procedure can often look a little too obvious. After completing an aesthetic fellowship in facial surgery with Dr. Bryan Mendelson, (a world renowned Australian facelift surgeon), it became clear to me that the American attitude of "if a little is good, then more must be better" definitely does not apply to facial procedures.
Newer advanced techniques are being developed every year that focus on restoring the natural look of the youthful face; concentrating more on the anatomic changes of aging as opposed to just "pulling" the skin. These older techniques of purely lifting and pulling the skin often result in an unnatural appearance or that "wind tunnel look" we have all seen.
To learn more about a face lift in Idaho or Wyoming, request an appointment online with Dr. Freeman, who is happy to help you explore your cosmetic options.
Facial Anatomy
The skin is simply a covering and was never meant to be used as a way to hold things in position. This is why a face lift that only concentrates on the skin looks so artificial. The most notable signs of facial aging take place deeper, occurring at the ligaments that connect our facial muscles to the overlying skin. As we age, these ligaments stretch, causing the soft tissues to collapse and leading to facial wrinkles and jowls along the jaw line. The gradual laxity of these ligaments doesn't occur at a set amount every year or in a linear fashion. Instead, very little stretching occurs in the 20s and 30s, however like a rubber band, once a certain point is reached these ligaments "give way" and facial aging accelerates at a more exponential rate. This is why a lot of patients feel as though their appearance has aged 10 years in only a few years time.
Face Lift Options
At The Center for Aesthetics in Idaho Falls, I believe that advanced face lift techniques make all the difference in a natural and healthy looking result. Focusing on correcting the laxity of the aging ligaments beneath the skin leads to:
- Less trauma
- Decreased bruising
- Faster recovery
- Longer lasting results
It isn't surprising to hear that older techniques based solely on the skin don't last as long as newer anatomic based face lifts. When I take the anatomic causes of facial aging into consideration, I am focusing on the root of the problem, not simply trying to mask the symptoms of facial aging. This anatomic approach leads to a more natural and longer lasting result with less downtime, often less than a week.
A Face Lift for Younger Patients
It used to be that face lifts were only performed in women over 60, but in today's society there is a growing trend of having face lift surgery at a younger age. As the way we feel is often tied to our outward appearance, people are taking more and more steps to minimize the aging process. This has led to both men and women to have facelift procedures at a younger age in order to 'maintain' their youthful appearance as opposed to making a dramatic change all at once.
I perform two very different types of facelift procedures:
- A "maintenance" technique for my younger patients focuses on tightening the internal ligaments to prevent further aging and to maintain a current appearance.
- My older patients benefit more from "rejuvenation" type procedures, therefore it is imperative that patients seek out a plastic surgeon with experience in dealing with the various aspects of aging.
I also understand that most patients have no desire to look like someone else; desiring only a subtle change in their appearance that will come across as a more rested or younger version of themselves. This is why I often like to see photos of patients from 10 to 15 years ago in order to have a more specific goal in mind.
Customized for Your Needs
I feel strongly that a face lift is not a "One Size Fits All" operation. Many of the patients I see in my Idaho office near Pocatello for a standard face lift procedure are really only concerned about their jowls or neckline. They are often excited to learn that we can perform a more precise lower face lift to specifically address these problems without having to undergo a full face lift. Other patients are simply concerned about their cheeks or mid-face, and can have procedures such as a mid face lift to address these areas of concern.
More focused procedures such as a lower face lift, neck lift, mid face lift or temporal lift give patients a spectrum of options to fit their specific concerns. In addition, I offer several non-surgical services including BOTOX® Cosmetic, injectable fillers, and Thermage® for people who want to improve their appearance without surgery.
When you arrive for a consultation in my Idaho Falls or Jackson Hole office, you will receive a thorough evaluation. This includes a complete exam of the hairline, brow, eyes, cheeks, nose, lips, jowls, chin and neck. It is critical to assess the face in its entirety, because the final goal of surgery is an improvement in your overall natural appearance.
At The Center for Aesthetics, I offer a full range of facial surgery procedures ranging from minimally invasive laser liposuction and thread suspension procedures to eyelid surgery, lower face lifts and brow lift surgery.
Call Dr. Freeman's office today at 208-542-1050 or 800-575-8337 to schedule a consultation, or you can request an appointment online. Dr. Freeman's office is located at The Center for Aesthetics, serving Idaho Falls, Jackson Hole, Pocatello, and other communities across Wyoming and Idaho. Plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Freeman would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about plastic surgery and to answer any of your questions concerning face lift.