Facelift - Facial Skin Tightening | Scottsdale, AZ

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is a surgical procedure that involves lifting and tightening facial skin & underlying muscle for smoother, more youthful skin. The surgery also removes excess fat to correct a jowl-like appearance and smooths the deep creases from the base of the nose to the corners of the mouth. A facelift is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures Scottsdale, AZ board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Carlos Mata, provides to his patients who wish to look well-rested, healthier, and energetic.

Facelift Surgical Technique

The techniques used during a facelift vary depending on the patient’s facial features, goals, conditions, and expectations. The level of invasiveness, placement of incisions, what layers of tissues will be corrected, and what risks may be associated with the surgery are something Dr. Mata will discuss with you before moving forward with the surgery to determine what technique is best for you. These are the different facelift surgical techniques:

- DEEP PLANE FACELIFT

The deep place facelift is the surgical technique Dr. Scottsdale® recommends most to his patients. The results from a deep plane facelift are far better than other traditional techniques. It addresses drooping, skin laxity, and skin folds by reshaping the entire face adding volume & creating tighter contours. The technique consists of placing special tension (sutures) on and underneath the SMAS muscle and facial muscle to lift and correct facial drooping. The SMAS muscle is partially dissected and tightened to allow a better correction and reshaping. The special suturing technique allows a tension-free skin closure giving the patient better scar results long-term. A neck lift is always included with the procedure when performed by Dr. Scottsdale®.

- TRADITIONAL FACELIFT - SMAS TIGHTENING

This surgical facelift procedure’s main goal is to address sagging skin and loss of volume in the cheeks. The surgery consists in partially correcting and tightening the SMAS muscle. The SMAS supports the structure of the face and correcting it will give you a youthful appearance. The skin laxity will be also addressed during the procedure and removed. Dr. Scottsdale® always includes a neck lift with this technique to give the patient better results.

- SKIN ONLY FACELIFT

Also referred to as the cutaneous facelift, this technique removes excess and loose skin to create a tightened look. The remaining skin is repositioned to lift sagging cheeks and jowls. It also improves the profile along the jawline. With this facelift technique, the muscles or fat tissues are left untouched. This is ideal for those who have good tone muscle and distribution of fat, but find the skin losing elasticity in some areas. Dr. Scottsdale® performs this skin-only technique on a case-by-case basis. A prior assessment will be necessary to determine if you are a candidate.

- MINI FACELIFT

Also called a short-scar facelift because of the shorter incisions made, a mini lift is a quick treatment that corrects the middle and lower face. Many patients initially consider this technique, but this doesn’t correct any severe issues and usually renders short-term results. Patients who undergo this procedure are most likely to also stage a full facelift as a final step to fully rejuvenate and reshape the face to its youthful curves.

Facelift Common Add-ons:

- BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELID SURGERY)

Upper, lower, or even both eyelids, the blepharoplasty surgeries enhance the appearance of your eyes by eliminating excess skin & fat and smoothing the eye area. It addresses skin’s thickness, elasticity, laxity, wrinkling, and other factors. Learn more

- BROW LIFT

This procedure focuses on trimming the excess skin and tightening the brows. It can help correct brow asymmetry and droopiness. The goal is to rejuvenate the facial appearance. Learn more

- NECK LIFT

Some of the facelift techniques above don’t include neck lift. This procedure reduces the appearance of wrinkles and lines on the neck. The main goal is to target skin laxity on the neck. It’s most of the time recommended when doing a facelift. Learn more

Facelift Candidates

Men and women between the ages of 40 – 60 are the best candidates for this surgery, but facelifts can be performed on older patients. Also, patients who have had major weight loss and post-bariatric surgical patients are great candidates.

Facelift Recovery

Recovery varies depending on what surgical technique is performed during your facelift. On average, the recovery time for a facelift is about 2 weeks. A garment will be necessary to wear to guarantee and achieve the best results possible. For the first 6 weeks after your facelift, any type of exercising will not be advised.

Revision Surgery

Dr. Mata offers revision facelift surgery to patients who are unhappy with the results or if they want to refresh their results. A facelift requires a delicate technique to get natural-looking results, which is why it’s important to select an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Carlos Mata for your revision facelift. He will create a custom surgical plan based on your unique needs and goals.

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Recover Time7-14 days
Average Procedure Time3 hr
Procedure Recovery LocationOut-patient

 

Facelift FAQs

​​​​​​​Non - Invasive Techniques?

Cosmetic surgery is constantly evolving and always finding ways to minimize the invasiveness of procedures. There are countless options that are considered less invasive than a facelift, including wrinkle relaxers such as B flatten and soften folds and contours. The effects, while effective, are often short-term lasting about 6 months to a year. Although these procedures can be safely repeated, for some, a facelift may be a better, more permanent option.

How Natural?

Immediately following a facelift procedure, the patient will feel tightness and a pulling sensation. This is normal as the facial tissues, skin, and muscles adjust to their new positions. It is important to choose a reputable plastic surgeon that has years of experience in facial cosmetic surgery. A doctor with experience in facial surgery will create natural, smooth results that will last for years to come.

Visible Scars?

A traditional facelift requires a long cut from the temple to the lower hairline, but the scars will be well concealed within the hairline and natural creases on the face. With the lesser invasive techniques, the scars heal pretty well and will almost be completely invisible to the naked eye.

Best Age?

Anyone may consider a facelift as soon as evidence of aging starts taking a toll on the skin. Generally, patients who are age 40 to 60 consider a facelift. Personal habits and environmental conditions may impact the skin.