If you look in the mirror and can’t stand the sight of the lines, wrinkles, and facial folds that have formed in specific areas of your face, you share sentiments with many others. After all, no one wants to look older than they really are, or older than how they feel. Unfortunately, though, we cannot halt the aging process – physical changes in our face will gradually take place as the years pass. Time, gravity, and exposure to the sun and other environmental elements will cause the facial skin to lose its elasticity.

Several fat pads exist beneath the skin, which help to provide a normal contour to the face. But when a person ages, the skin sags, causing these fat pads to fall out of position. Prominent folds and jowls will then develop in response.

If you would like to return to a more youthful appearance, now may be the right time to look into plastic surgery, specifically a facelift (“rhytidectomy”). This procedure is designed to improve a person’s appearance and help them look younger. It is an effective solution for recontouring the face, as it can reposition the skin and underlying tissues to restore a younger, natural-looking appearance.

You may be a good candidate for rhytidectomy if you are physically healthy, do not smoke, and have realistic goals and expectations in mind. The type of facelift procedure you select will depend on several factors, such as which parts of your face need improvement. A standard (or “full”) facelift targets all four aesthetic units of the face, including the: forehead and upper eyelids, mid face and lower eyelids, lower face and lips, and neck. The mid facelift is designed to improve the cheek and lower eyelid area, and possibly even the deep lines in the lower cheeks (“nasolabial folds”).

During your consultation with Plastic Surgery Associates, you will learn which technique will provide you with the best results. The method chosen should meet your cosmetic goals, while correcting the most obvious signs of aging. During a consultation, you can become more familiar with both the standard facelift and mid facelift, including their differed recovery time and the potential risks and complications. In addition, you can ask the doctor about your options with non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures; certain facial injectables can be combined with rhytidectomy for optimal results.

As you consider facelift surgery, it is important to understand that while this procedure can dramatically improve your appearance, it will not stop you from aging.