As we age, the muscles of the face get weaker and the skin becomes less elastic, hence wrinkles develop. The extent to which this occurs varies considerably between individuals and may be influenced by inherited factors and external influences such as sun exposure, smoking and weight loss.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Non surgical approaches include injections (“botox” or collagen) and resurfacing techniques (lasers, chemical peel etc). A face lift is a surgical procedure which can tighten the skin of the face and hence reduce wrinkles, folds and some fine lines. The effects can last for up to ten years. It is best suited to treating the lower half of the face. A separate brow lift may be needed to tackle forehead wrinkles or droopy eyebrows. Problems with the saggy eyelids will also not be solved by a facelift and separate eyelid surgery may be needed. This procedure may be done simultaneously.
WHAT DOES THE OPERATION INVOLVE?
The operation involves a general anaesthetic which means that the patients will be asleep during the procedure. In rare cases it can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. Most patients will need to stay in hospital overnight.
There are several different techniques that can be used but in general the surgery involves a scar that runs in the hairline of the forehead, down in front of the ears and continues underneath the earlobe and in to the hairline behind the ears. Extra scars along the chin may or may not be required. Using these incisions the surgeon can then peel the skin away from the muscles of the face. The skin can then be pulled tight, stitched in place, and the excess skin can be trimmed away and discarded.
If you decide on surgery you will be required to undergo some simple health checks and photos will be taken to show the appearance of your face before surgery.
