Rhytidectomy (Facelift)

The term rhytid is derived from Greek, meaning facial wrinkle.  Most basically, a rhytidectomy, or colloquially, a facelift, is a procedure performed to improve facial wrinkling or age-related changes to the facial appearance.  The contributions of aging to changes in facial appearance are multi-factorial.  Sun-damage contributes by decreasing the elasticity or loosening the skin, furthermore the skin becomes thinner and loses its water retention.  As a result the skin becomes loose and wrinkled.  Loss of fat, or lipoatrophy, thought to be related to a decrease in hormone production, decreases the fullness of the face and creates a more sunken/ hollowed appearance.  These two factors, combined with years of facial expression, create an appearance that we instinctively identify as aged.  The eyes hollow, cheeks are low, the smile lines are deepened, and jowling occurs along the jaw.  In the neck similar changes occur: the angle between the chin and neck becomes blunted and more obtuse, and vertical bands can appear in the neck (platysmal bands).

The facelift procedure is designed to reduce the large wrinkles and jowling that occurs with aging.  Procedures such as fat grafting, a chemical peel or laser treatment are often used as complementary treatments to enhance the final outcome of the facelift.   These procedure are used to add volume to the face or improve fine wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.  The necklift further address the cervical angle and the platysmal bands.

After a facelift or necklift, patients will wear a compressive dressing overnight and remain in a specialized recovery center. After the dressings are removed, patients may shower and wash their hair gently with regular shampoo. There usually is not significant pain after a facelift, although there may be some swelling and bruising. The bruising is usually resolves after 1-2 weeks, and the swelling is significantly improved at 2-4 weeks and is minimally noticeable at 3 months, with the final appearance expected at 4-6 months.

Due to patient privacy, my facelift portfolio may only be viewed, upon request, during your clinic visit.