Facelift

During the consultation, we will perform an analysis of the facial anatomy and the changes to the structure that signify ageing.  You may wish to combine this with a brow lift and neck lift to achieve optimal results.

We can perform a facelift as a day case procedure under general anaesthesia. However, we can administer a local anaesthetic for less extensive cases.

Generally, the operation aims to lift the skin by separating it from the fat and muscle below. The surgeon will tighten the underlying SMAS muscle and membrane, hoisting and trimming the excess skin. If the operation involves addressing neckbands, an incision is made under the chin, and the muscles may be tied together to smooth their appearance. Depending on the method adopted, the surgeon may staple the incision, and use non-dissolvable sutures to close the incision around the ears. The surgeon will remove the stitches and clips within two weeks after surgery, depending on how you are recovering.

Occasionally, we may place a temporary drain under the skin behind your ear following the surgery to remove excess fluid, though this is usually not necessary. Your head will be wrapped in bandages immediately after surgery to minimise bruising and swelling for 24 hours.

We may recommend minimally invasive submental liposuction around the neck and chin to improve the contour of the jawline. In other instances, you could combine the operation with a fat transfer to restore volume to the facial contours. Or, with a brow lift and blepharoplasty to address ageing around the eyes.

A mini facelift minimises scarring and dissection, concealing the incision site as much as possible. Usually, incisions are placed within the hairline or behind the earlobes, and the soft tissues (and occasionally muscle) and the surgeon lifts and trims the excess sagging skin. Dissolvable sutures secure the skin in place. As the incisions are much shorter, the results of a mini-lift are less dramatic.

It’s called the Deep Plane Facelift because it works by gently revealing the anatomical plane between the muscles, the skin’s plasma, and fibrous tissue, known as the SMAS, and then uniquely lifts all elements vertically for an immediate result. By working under the muscles, it means the skin will maintain a sense of naturalness and won’t look too tight or stretched – and of course, our top Harley Street surgeon, Dr Yannis, will ensure tension-free movement with any of his facelift procedures.

The Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (abbreviated to the SMAS) and Platysma layers of skin play massive roles in the ageing process. The SMAS is located between the fat and dermal layers of skin and contains muscles and facial nerve branches.

The Platysma is an extension of the SMAS that extends down to the neckline where it becomes a separate muscle – and like all muscles, they weaken over time, leading to jowls or draping lower facial skin.

Over time, the skin may lose volume – a process called atrophy – or increase in size, called hypertrophy – which is why repositioning both the SMAS and Platysma layers will help defy the effects of gravity and promote the ultimate agelessness. Then, once treated, they contribute immensely to an overall anti-aged appearance.

One of the biggest benefits Deep Plane Facelift offers is a newfound vitality.

Many patients can benefit from a facelift as young as their thirties and as old as their eighties. It’s important to remember that a facelift does not stop, reverse or slow down ageing. Performing a second and third facelift later on in life is a possibility.

A facelift works by lifting the skin to smooth its appearance but will not prevent external forces from affecting the skin’s elasticity, bone loss, and muscle weakening. It also cannot prevent wrinkles and lines from forming or address other age-related concerns such as pigmentation.

A good candidate might be someone who has (but is not limited to) neck banding, fat accumulation around the neck, loss of jawline structure and deep lines around the mouth. A facelift patient will achieve the best results when they have treated their skin in the years leading up to their procedure, as collagen and elasticity will be enhanced.

It is most suitable for people looking to dramatically rejuvenate their complexion. Or those wanting to eradicate:

• Hollowness in the cheek/protibial areas
• Targets deep nasolabial folds
• Ideal for those looking to remove buccal fat or facial fullness
• Jowls
• Asymmetrical jawline or sagging skin over chin line
• Marionette lines – the vertical lines between the corners of the mouth and chin

Improvements will be visible upon the removal of your cast. Over six months to a year, your nose will continue to change shape. During this time, swelling should reduce and you should start to see the final results towards the end of 1 year.

The outcome of the facelift depends on several variables. Gravity, ageing, and other external and lifestyle forces will play a pivotal role in how long your facelift lasts.

Results for a mini facelift are at their best for around eight years after the operation, whereas, a traditional facelift will preserve the skin for approximately ten years. Over the years, a patient who has had a facelift will still experience weakening of the muscles and skin laxity and may wish to repeat the operation.

Most patients return to work between 1-2 weeks after the operation. Swelling, bruising and numbness after a traditional facelift typically last for 6-8 weeks which will subside gradually. Significant swelling should subside within 10-14 days. We will require you to wear a facial support garment for 24 hours. Numbness may take 4-6 weeks to resolve. Overall recovery usually takes around two weeks, and vigorous activity can resume after four weeks. Sutures are removed about 5 to 10 days after surgery.

We will provide you with aftercare instructions following your procedure. However, general recommendations and aftercare advice include trying to keep the head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery.

A traditional facelift takes approximately three hours. The procedure duration will vary depending on the approach and severity of the operation.

The incisions and scarring vary depending on the case. They’re usually inconspicuously made around the ear, concealed within their natural folds. They often begin just above the hairline at the temples, extending in a natural line from the front of the ear just inside the cartilage and continuing behind the earlobe to the lower scalp.

We usually recommend the use of Kelo-cote  for three months to help minimise scarring. We also advocate the use of our complimentary dramatic healing serum – the product contains healing ingredients proven to reduce the appearance of scarring. Our light therapy system Celluma can also reduce scars.

Radiofrequency laser treatments combined with conservative use of Anti-Wrinkle Injections and fillers can preserve the quality of the skin to ward off skin laxity and improve structure and support.

We advocate many non-surgical approaches such as the soft thread lift, Profhilo, the 8-point liquid facelift and laser treatments that all provide excellent results for addressing volume loss, and softening the appearance of mild jowls, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. However, surgical intervention will always offer the best and most permanent outcome for extensive facial sagging. A traditional facelift can improve sagging neck skin and platysma vertical neck bands, where non-surgical methods aren’t successful with these concerns.

A consultation will help determine which course of action would be most suited to your needs. Here, we will take your age, skin damage and quality, volume loss, the elasticity of the skin, lifestyle factors, any pre-existing facial asymmetries and your mental health into consideration.

Facelifts are intricate procedures and require a delicate approach to ensure that any scarring left will be as hidden as possible.

Nowadays, the incisions made for a Facelift are discrete and finely made. Traditional Facelifts require an incision being made in the natural creases of the face, for example, the fold between the ear and cheek. This line usually follows behind the ear to give the surgeon great visibility to help alter your face’s structure.

Read this blog: ‘Where Are Facelift Scars?’

Age is not the factor to decide if your skin is suitable to have Facelift surgery. The condition of your skin is the key indication for a Facelift. If you see a significant sagging, wrinkles, loose skin, or jowling, you are suitable for Facelift surgery.

A Facelift on its own is not known to cause hair loss, however, hair can be removed during a Facelift.

As the incisions are usually made along the hairline by the ear, some hair can be removed when the surgeon goes to close the incisions. While your surgeon will preserve your natural hairline, if this thought bothers you greatly, speak to them during the consultation or on the day of surgeon, and they will be able to outline exactly where the incisions will be and whether a small amount of hair will be removed.

Yes! A Facelift works to reposition the skin and muscles, so on a superficial and epidermal level, the skin will be pulled tighter so this will improve the appearance of wrinkles.

Skilled practitioners at clinics like 111 Harley St. genuinely care about their patients’ well-being, ensuring they have clear and realistic expectations about the journey ahead. They take the time to explain not only what the procedure can and cannot achieve, but also to help prevent emotional distress after surgery.