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A facelift is a dynamic operation that involves repositioning and elevating the skin, muscles and soft tissues into a more youthful position.
The surgical approach varies depending on your unique needs but usually addresses facial sagging to tighten the lower face, neck and jawline. As a master of Facial Reconstructive Surgery, Dr Yannis’ technique to performing facelift procedures is highly sought after by VIP’s, celebrities, politicians and actors. Dr Yannis Alexandrides pioneered the ‘Y Facelift’ procedure – a surgery that is not only named after himself but symbolises the shape of the area he aims to target – the arms of the ‘Y’ representing the jawline and the tail of the letter symbolising the neck – is a type of lower face lift procedure that lifts the face and the neck simultaneously, offering a natural and contoured look. This operation accentuates the profile and is desirable for those who spend a lot of time in front of the camera or in the public – or for anyone seeking that star-quality look.
An ageing face is something that can gradually start to present itself as collagen and elasticity levels begin to deplete, muscles weaken, and skin loosens.
While genetics and lifestyle factors often contribute to a prematurely aged appearance, research shows that collagen production declines by 1% annually which is why as the years go by, the signs of ageing begin to become more visible and more prominent. Alongside this, one of the most essential anti-ageing proteins, elastin, stops being produced once we have reached physical maturity. Skin laxity issues, therefore, accentuate the visibility of lines and wrinkles, jowls, excess skin above and below the eyelids, drooping mouth corners, hollowing under the eyes, and crepiness.
Combined with free radical damage that is exacerbated by air pollution, those who live in big cities may be prone to external agers that do not work in our favour and conflict with our desire for taut and supple skin.
Luckily, facelifts offer a solution – one to be considered if you are thinking about significantly counteracting the signs of ageing.
The difference between younger skin and ageing skin is that when we are young, the epidermis is fully supported, taut and supple. Collagen, elastin, fibroblasts, and hyaluronic acid are found in abundance. Whereas, for older skin, the epidermis becomes lax and fragile. Collagen levels are in decline and there is elastin degradation, so the skin loses its ability to ‘snap back’.
While, a Facelift cannot alter the quality of the skin, it can help to soften wrinkles, diminish laxity and smoothen out completely deeply-set folds or furrows (like nasolabial folds). One way to enhance your skin’s quality and rebuild lost collagen – and other age-reversing proteins – is with Non-Surgical Treatments like Potenza (a RF Microneedling treatment), Thermage and Exosomes. When these treatments are combined with a Facelift, the results will be nothing short of amazing.
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:
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.
The Deep Plane Facelift is a type of advanced facelift, medically known as a Rhytidectomy, that produces dramatic and rejuvenating results. 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 extended version offers a more rejuvenated result, but means the facial incision is lengthened. However, Dr Yannis will ensure any incision made follows the skin’s natural lines and folds for maximum discretion.
Dr Yannis talks about his surgical process behind this patient’s results.
“This gentleman was complaining about the ageing appearance of his face. He came to me because he was bothered about the deep nasolabial folds, the flat appearance of his zygomatic arches, the hooded eyelids, and the receding hairline.
After the initial consultation, my plan was a brow lift, upper blepharoplasty, face and neck lift performed in the deep plane extended manner, and fat injections to the face. This is his early results, only two weeks after surgery, where you can see improvement of the ratio of the forehead now been shortened and in line with the mid face and the lower face.
The patient appears at least 15 years younger, even at this early stage of recovery.”
Dr Yannis is the pioneer of this lower face lift approach, developed with his deep understanding of the ageing process and facial anatomy, and the aim of offering the best results with minimal downtime. This technique addresses sagging in the lower face and neck region. It is called the Y Facelift because of how the shape of the Y mimics the areas that Dr Yannis targets in each operation. Notice how the part of the letter looks like where the end of the jawline meets the ear on the face, and how the tail extends down – just like the neck does.
One benefit of this treatment is that it provides more contour and definition to the area, providing a natural and rejuvenated look. The incision is disguised in the fold of the ear and behind the ear. See how a Facelift scar heals, one week post-op versus two weeks post-op.
See this patients results below, she combined a rhinoplasty with a face and neck lift for optimal results. The final results have helped optimise her facial harmony and enhanced her features, creating a total transformation that has refreshed this patients look.
A traditional facelift will work on the full face, addressing both the ageing of the lower and upper face, brows and neck. The surgeon will remove excess skin, and usually lift the muscles and skin together (in what’s known as the ‘dual pane facelift’ or a ‘deep plane facelift’), elevating the skin into a more youthful position. The surgeon will make incisions either inside the ear or in front of the ear, extending along the natural crease behind the earlobe. The approach will vary from patient-to-patient and may combine a brow lift, neck lift and sub-mental liposuction to enhance the overall result.
Our total, 360-degree approach to facelifts means that whatever your concern, Dr Yannis will be able to assess your appearance and recommend the surgical paths that would benefit you, target your concerns and meet your expectations most. Creating bespoke surgical plans is what we do best at 111 Harley St.
A SMAS facelift addresses ageing in both the upper and lower face. In contrast to a full facelift, it separates the skin and muscle, so that they can be improved as separate entities. The surgeon will tighten and manipulate the muscles, and redrape the skin before removing the excess, concealing the incisions as much as possible. The benefits of this approach are that it provides long-lasting and natural-looking results. Dr Yannis Alexandrides usually incorporates SMAS into most of the surgeries to achieve the best results. This technique is similarily used during a Deep Plane Facelift.
The mini facelift is suited to those looking for a subtle rejuvenation and may be experiencing the early onset of ageing such as jowls, deepening of lines, and loss of volume and elasticity within the skin. It leaves a significantly smaller scar line than a full facelift, and as always during any procedure, we eliminate scarring by placing it in the crease behind the ear and the hairline which maximises discretion.
Another advantage is that a mini facelift doesn’t always require general anaesthesia, so it can be performed at our 111 Harley St. theatre, and has less recovery time compared to a full facelift. You can expect bruising or swelling to diminish over a course of two weeks or more.
Sculpts the lower face to create a more V-like definition and facial shape. Often combined with Submental Liposuction for absolute definition.
Please note, all consultations are subject to the applicable consultation change or deposit.
Surgical In-Clinic Consultation Fee: Dr Yannis £350 – Mr Reza £200
Surgical Virtual Consultation Fee – £200
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Surgical In-Clinic Consultation Fee: Dr Yannis £350 – Mr Reza £200
Surgical Virtual Consultation Fee – £200
