What is a Face Lift?
Traditionally, a face lift surgery provides the patient with a rejuvenated, rested and more youthful appearance. Depending upon the type selected, a dramatic or more natural effect can be achieved with the severity of wrinkles and sagging skin taken into consideration when selecting the right option for each patient.
Growing in popularity, the MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) facelift is a less invasive procedure providing a healthy, rested and younger face lasting 5 to 10 years. The incision is camouflaged in the contours in front of the ears only. Generally, looking at a picture of yourself 10 years ago is a good indication of what to expect your appearance to be like as the final result. Good candidates to undergo this type of cosmetic surgery live with mild to moderate skin elasticity issues along with loss of muscle tone from the face down to the neck area. An added benefit to include with a lower price and risk factors is the achievement of a more natural look.
Another possibility is the mini face lift. This cosmetic surgery is a smaller version of the traditional one. Often called a "weekend" face lift, it has a shorter recovery period with less scarring as a result of smaller incisions. Mini face lifts reposition minor sagging skin and remove excess tissue to give a refreshed look. The best candidates are a younger crowd consisting of those just beginning to notice the unwanted signs of aging, but not wishing to dramatically alter their appearance.
The traditional face lift surgery is a major surgical procedure. With a longer operation, recovery and heftier price tag, a face lift surgery corrects the signs of aging over a 3 to 4 hour timeframe with incisions made around the back of the ear and near the hairline. Treating the most severe cases, traditional face lifts provide dramatic results; however, they come with an increased risk for complications.