There are several factors that contribute to visible signs of facial aging, most of which are caused by the natural degradation of the facial tissues as we grow older. The inherent skin elasticity present during our younger years begins to weaken, while gravity and reduced production of collagen and elastin cause the skin, fat, and muscles of the face to descend downward.
This can result in the formation of jowls, sagging skin, and sunken features as our facial volume naturally depletes. While these changes are often unwanted, a facelift is one of the most powerful ways to revert the facial tissues back to their original state and restore a more youthful, vital, and healthy appearance. Dr. Tom Liu and Dr. Jerome Liu, our board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeons, utilize advanced facelift techniques at Silicon Valley Institute for Aesthetics (SVIA) to emphasize a natural-looking outcome without the obvious indication of surgery.
What Is A FaceLift?
Sometimes referred to as a “rhytidectomy,” a facelift is a facial plastic surgery procedure designed to address signs of aging in the lower face and neck, resulting in a more refreshed and youthful look. The process starts with a facial analysis, wherein Dr. Tom Liu or Dr. Jerome Liu will examine your skin, facial volume, and the extent of your facial aging from all angles. From this evaluation, our plastic surgeons can repair the skin, fat, musculature, and soft tissues of the face to yield a smoother and firmer aesthetic. When performed correctly, a facelift should make a patient look younger while highlighting their natural beauty and the unique character of their face. A frozen, “windswept,” or artificial look are often associated with more outdated techniques and can be signs of a poorly performed facelift.
What Can Be Achieved With A Facelift?
A facelift is currently the only treatment option that can make a patient look up to ten years younger by lifting and rejuvenating the facial tissues. The procedure can improve many of the most prominent signs of facial aging, including:
- Jowls, or sagging skin along the jawline
- Creases in the lower face, such as nasolabial folds
- Loose skin in the neck and under the chin
- Horizontal neck bands
Facelift results are usually most optimal when complemented with other facial rejuvenation techniques, such as volume enhancement with dermal fillers, PRP therapy, high-quality skincare products, and laser skin resurfacing, among other non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Dr. Tom Liu and Dr. Jerome Liu can determine the most appropriate modalities to revitalize your face while ensuring that your results appear natural and elegant.
How Is A Facelift Performed?
A facelift is performed as an outpatient procedure at our accredited surgical facility in Sacramento. General anesthesia is utilized, and our board-certified anesthesiologist will be present at all times to monitor your vitals. Incisions are typically placed within the hairline and/or along the natural curvature of the ears to allow for undetectable post-operative scarring.
From these incisions, your plastic surgeon will lift and reposition descended facial tissue to create a firmer foundation. Excess skin will be removed and fat will be repositioned to smooth the jowls, resulting in a more youthful jaw contour. Once the desired outcome has been achieved, the incisions will be closed and you will be able to recover at home with the help of a friend or loved one.