What is a face lift?
A face lift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that aims to reverse the signs of aging of the face. The main objective of this procedure is to tighten and remove the redundant (excess) facial skin and to reposition the deeper tissues in order to provide a more youthful appearance.
Facelift procedures usually target the mid and lower face. The procedure is commonly combined with a neck lift to achieve optimal aesthetic results. Facelifts can also improve deep creases at the base of the mouth (marionette lines) and nose (nasolabial folds), reduce wrinkles on the face and neck, improve the appearance of the sunken jawline (jowls), and reverse an overall tired appearance.
Who is the right candidate for a face lift?
Typically, a candidate for facelift surgery should be in good physical and psychological health.
Smoking increases the risk of complications and compromises the blood supply to the skin after the surgery. Some surgeons will refuse to operate on a patient who has not stopped smoking for at least 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled surgery date.
Patients with poorly controlled hypertension (high blood pressure) are also at increased risk of complications, particularly hematomas (bleeding).
If you meet all the above criteria, then you may be an ideal candidate, if you have:
- Wrinkles on your face and neck
- Excess facial skin
- Folds appearing in the creases beneath your mouth (marionette lines) and nose (nasolabial folds)
What does a facelift procedure consist of?
There are various facelift techniques, with various scar lengths and placements. A typical facelift procedure begins with a small incision near the temples in the hairline or along the hairline. The incision will continue in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and behind the ear. The incision is placed strategically in natural creases, resulting in a camouflaged scar that is well concealed.
A typical facelift begins by elevating the facial skin. This will allow the proper redraping of the excess skin to achieve the desired youthful appearance and reverse the effects of aging. Redraping eliminates redundant skin and improves deep and superficial creases on the face, around the mouth (marionette lines), and around the nose (nasolabial folds). Excess skin is excised and discarded.
In addition to lifting the aging skin, deeper tissues can also be lifted to achieve a youthful appearance. There are several methods to elevate deeper tissues and muscles (plication, imbrication, SMAS flap, etc.), depending on your specific needs and anatomy. Facial fat pads can also be repositioned to provide a more youthful appearance. For example, the cheek fat pad can be elevated to recreate youthful cheek fullness.
To get more information, please refer to the before/after picture gallery courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We also invite you to refer to this video on Facelift Surgery (Click on the “Face” tab and then “Facelift – Full”)
Dr. Azzi also offers other surgical procedures, such as mini facelifts, brow lift and neck lift.
Book a consultation with Dr. Alain Azzi to discuss your specific needs today.
How much does a facelift in Montreal cost?
The cost of facelifts generally depends on the treatment plan that is developed for you. Concomittant neck lifts, laser resurfacing, and other adjunctive procedures will have an impact on the final cost.
During the consultation, Dr. Alain Azzi will perform a physical exam and will discuss your specific needs. A member from our patient care coordination department will subsequently provide you with the details of the cost of facelifts in Montreal.
We both offer in-person and virtual plastic surgery consultations.