Facelift Surgery with Australia Plastic Surgery

As we age, the appearance of our face is affected by a variety of factors, including skin laxity, muscle tone loss, and changes in the underlying facial structures. These natural signs of ageing result in changes to the shape and texture of the skin, which can make us appear tired or older than we feel.

At Australia Plastic Surgery, facelift surgery is designed to address these concerns, rejuvenating the face by tightening and lifting the skin and underlying tissues. The procedure helps restore definition to the face, providing a more youthful and refreshed appearance that harmonises with your age and natural features.

The Benefits of Facelift Surgery

As we age, skin loses its elasticity, thins, and develops wrinkles due to the depletion of collagen and the movement of muscles. Beneath the skin, changes occur as well—soft tissues slacken, and fat volume is lost, which can create a sunken or hollowed appearance. Even bone structure can change over time.

Facelift surgery directly addresses these age-related changes, lifting and tightening the facial tissues to restore a smoother, more youthful contour.

Am I a Candidate for Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery is an ideal option for those whose facial concerns cannot be resolved through nonsurgical treatments. If you are dealing with loose, sagging skin or fat that has shifted below the chin, or if deep nasolabial folds and jowls have developed, a facelift can provide lasting, more dramatic results than non-surgical alternatives like thread lifts.

You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you experience:

  • Loose, drooping skin around the cheeks and jawline

  • Heavy jowls or deep nasolabial folds

  • Loss of definition in the lower face and jawline

  • A double chin or excess fat below the chin

  • A desire for a more permanent solution than non-surgical treatments

Ideal candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for the outcomes of the procedure. Facelift surgery is not only for older patients; lifestyle, genetics, and weight fluctuations can all impact skin elasticity, meaning some individuals in their 30s or 40s may seek surgical intervention earlier than expected.

During your consultation at Australia Plastic Surgery, your surgeon will assess your facial anatomy and discuss your aesthetic goals to determine whether a facelift is the right choice for you.

What’s Involved in a Facelift?

Your facelift journey begins with an in-depth consultation, where the surgeon will listen to your concerns and expectations. A thorough analysis of your facial structure will be performed to identify the best approach for your facelift surgery.

Facelift surgery primarily targets the lower third of the face, addressing issues such as loose skin, sagging fat, and the loss of volume. The procedure may involve lifting and repositioning the underlying tissues for a more youthful contour, and the technique used will be tailored to your specific needs and facial structure.

Types of Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery is highly customized to suit the needs and goals of each patient. Depending on your concerns, several techniques may be recommended:

  • Standard Facelift: This traditional technique addresses moderate to advanced signs of ageing in the lower two-thirds of the face. The incisions are made discreetly around the temples and ears, providing lasting results with minimal visible scarring.

  • Short-Scar Facelift: Also known as a mini facelift, this technique focuses on the lower third of the face, offering a less invasive approach with shorter incisions. Ideal for patients with mild sagging, this method is often performed with local anaesthesia and has a quicker recovery time.

  • SMAS Facelift: Targeting deeper layers of tissue, the SMAS facelift lifts the skin and the underlying muscle layer for a more substantial, natural-looking lift. This technique provides long-lasting results without the “windswept” appearance associated with older facelifts.

  • MACS Facelift: A minimally invasive technique, the MACS facelift is ideal for patients with good skin elasticity and minor sagging. The procedure involves smaller incisions and repositioning tissues with the help of threads, offering a quicker recovery time and excellent results for younger patients.

  • Deep Plane Facelift: Focusing on the deeper facial structures, the deep plane facelift provides a more durable and natural-looking result by lifting the skin, SMAS layer, and facial fat pads as one unit. This approach is ideal for patients seeking significant restoration of facial volume and contour.

 

What to Expect During Recovery

Facelift surgery is an invasive procedure, and recovery is a crucial aspect of the process. Expect swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the first week following surgery. Most of these effects will subside as healing progresses. You may also experience some tingling, numbness, or tightness, which is typical after a facelift.

After 7-10 days, you will return to the clinic for a follow-up appointment where your sutures will be removed, and the healing progress will be assessed. Many patients return to light activities around the 2-week mark, although full recovery can take up to a year for minor swelling and tightness to fully resolve.

To ensure the best outcome, it’s essential to follow all post-operative care instructions. Proper rest, incision care, and avoiding strenuous activities will significantly impact your recovery and results.

At Australia Plastic Surgery, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals with personalized care and guidance. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about facelift surgery and how it can rejuvenate your appearance

Your Facelift Consultation

When considering a facelift procedure, we must assess your facial balance. This includes your skin quality, the appearance and position of facial lines, and the bony facial structure. The meticulous analysis of a patient’s facial form is one of the most interesting and complex aspects of plastic surgery. Our surgeons will take you through all the facial issues that need to be addressed, thoroughly explaining the treatment available for your specific condition. These consultations are highly informative and educational.

The difference between mini, short scar, and full face lifts are:

Mini Face Lift: The incision/scar will be above the hairline. Mini Face Lifts have a short recovery time of 2-5 days, and lower cost.

Short Scar Face Lift: The incision/scar is at the junction of the ear and the side of the cheek. It finishes at the earlobe and does not extend behind the ear. This incurs an average cost, and an average recovery time of 5-8 days.

Full Face Lift: The incision/scar is at the junction of the cheek and the side of the cheek. It extends behind the ear and reaches the scalp. This has a higher cost and is a longer procedure. Recovery times can be up to 8-14 days.

After making the right incision, the surgeon then separates the skin from the fat and muscle below.

Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour.

The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and trims the excess.

Volume is usually added to certain areas to enhance it e.g. cheek bone areas.

Liposuction usually done for the neck and targeted facial area.

Other synergistic procedures are often included e.g. tear trough, eyelids, and cheek enhancement surgery may be performed to optimise the results.

Finally, the incisions are secured with resorbable stitches, so you do not need to go through the inconvenience of removing them.

The procedure will take between 90 minutes and 6 hours depending on the extent of face lift, rejuvenation, or contouring procedure. It can be done under General Anaesthetic or Local Anaesthetics with some sedation.

If a general anaesthetic is used, you will need to stay in hospital overnight. If only local aesthetic and sedation is used then we will help arrange for you to go home on the same day with some support.

A bandage covering the whole treated area must be worn for 24 hours.

Routinely, we will be seeing you twice within the first week to review the wound and make sure that you are comfortable. The stitches are resorbable so they do not need to be taken away as they usually fall apart by themselves.

Temporary bruising under the eyes is common and subsides gradually after the first week.

Initially, your face will feel stiff and appear artificially tightened.

This subsides naturally and the process can be accelerated by the application of cold compresses to the affected areas.

You will need to rest completely for the first 48 hours. During this time, you should be careful to avoid sudden head movements.

Normal activity can be resumed in about 5 days after mini face lifts, 8 days after short scar face lifts, and 14 days after full face lifts.

What Are The Risks Associated With This Procedure?

Plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks and potential complications.

Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.