Facelift
Located in Kirkland, WA to serve the Eastside Seattle area
Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?
Facial aging is inevitable, but you don’t have to let it take away your natural beauty. As we age, noticeable changes occur in the skin and soft tissue of the face – this includes structural changes to the skin, loss/atrophy of volume, and descent of the facial fat compartments to result in more prominent nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and a less-defined jawline. The goal of a facelift procedure is to restore the position of the soft tissue to a more youthful state. Less invasive procedures such as Botox and filler injection can improve your appearance, but surgical management may be indicated for facial rejuvenation.
What Exactly is a Facelift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that can correct signs of facial aging around the mid and lower face by suspending the underlying soft tissue (called the submusculoaponeurotic system, or “SMAS”) and naturally re-draping and trimming loose skin. A facelift is often combined with a neck lift, as the incision pattern and intraoperative soft tissue alterations are very similar. This provides a more comprehensive and balanced rejuvenation. Facial fat grafting is often recommended as well, to restore lost volume in areas such as the midface and cheek.
Surgical Details
While different facelift techniques will be used depending on your specific needs, the traditional approach is described here. General anesthesia will be administered and the incisions are made along the hairline at the temple, around the ear, and ending within the hairline behind the ears. The skin is lifted from the soft tissue of the mid and lower face, as well as the neck. The underlying SMAS layer is then addressed in a customized fashion to best improve the structural changes from aging – this is the most critical portion for a longer-lasting facelift. The skin is then re-draped, trimmed, and meticulously closed along the incisions. The surgery typically takes between three and four hours.
Consultation Process
When meeting with Dr. Remington, you will discuss your aesthetic goals and areas of concern. Your medical history will be reviewed and a physical examination will be performed. A customized treatment plan will be developed and illustrated for you. The potential risks, recovery time, and cost of the procedure will be discussed as well. Around the time of your surgery, certain medications and supplements may need to be stopped to optimize your recovery. You should avoid nicotine use or smoking, as this can increase your risk of complications. Diligent skin care is also very important before considering surgery.
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Recovery and Results
Most patients experience mild discomfort that is managed with prescription medications for several days. Swelling and bruising will be present – using ice, keeping the head elevated, and restricting strenuous activity or heavy lifting are important. A recovery of two to three weeks is typical. Following this, patients usually have a rapid return to their daily activities. The majority of the swelling will subside within a few weeks, but the final results may take several months to fully appreciate. You can expect your improvement to last for many years.
Wanted to share a bit about my journey into making the decision to having a lower face and neck lift and my lower eyelids improved. For those who know me they might describe me as conservative. I researched every possibility short of surgery. Surgery seemed so extreme. Couldn’t imagine being out of work for too long, pain etc. After an exhaustive search into things short of surgery I began meeting with area doctors. From the moment I walked into Dr Remington’s office I knew this was a great fit. Wonderful staff and he was so personable and conservative in his approach as well. I had the Surgery on January 6th 2020 and in writing this it has been 8 days since the surgery. First off and it may not be this way for everyone but I only needed Tylenol. I never had pain. Day two I went back to the office to have the turban like bandage removed and it was already apparent the surgery was a great success. I still even have my dimples. So happy I did this. All I can say is if you are even considering a surgery approach to a cosmetic situation do consider Dr Remington. I highly recommend he and his staff.
Dr Remington and his staff are the best. I just can’t say enough about them. 5 star service that is for sure.
– by J.S.
FAQ
Good candidates for a facelift or neck lift should be in good health and have realistic goals for their procedure. A facelift is typically the best option for treating moderate to severe signs of facial aging.
A facelift can correct issues around the midface and lower face like jowls, wrinkles, facial folds, and sagging skin. A neck lift can help to tighten and contour the neck to restore its smooth and youthful appearance.
The results provided from your facelift or neck lift should last for around 10 years. Your face and neck will continue to age naturally over this period so you may notice changes in your appearance over the years.
Non-surgical options like Botox®, dermal fillers, or laser skin rejuvenation treatments can be effective for mild signs of facial aging. However, more severe wrinkles and facial folds can only be adequately treated through surgery.
A facelift focuses on correcting the midface and lower face including the cheeks and the jawline. A neck lift primarily addresses loose and sagging skin around the neck and underneath the chin.
Yes, you can combine your facelift or neck lift with other surgical procedures like blepharoplasty or a brow lift for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation results.
Both younger and older patients can benefit from a facelift or neck lift. Younger patients struggling with premature aging and older individuals who want to turn back the clock are good candidates for the procedure.