Thinking About a Facelift?

Loose or sagging skin, deepening wrinkles, and general aging of the face can be caused by sun damage, gravity, loss of facial fat, genetics, personal habits, etc. A rhytidectomy, more commonly known as a facelift, is a surgical procedure that improves these signs of aging. Options such as fat transfer, fillers, or other rejuvenation treatments can delay the effects of aging, but ultimately a facelift is the only procedure that provides drastic results. In a facelift procedure, the skin is gently lifted so that your surgeon can tighten and reposition muscles and connective tissue of the face.

When preparing for a facelift procedure, there are 3 incision options that you should consider: A traditional facelift incision, a limited incision, or a neck lift incision. Each of these incision options are aligned to decrease scarring and give the most natural looking results. A traditional incision begins at the temples in the hairline and ends in the lower scalp. Sometimes a second incision under the chin is necessary as well to improve the appearance of the neck. A limited incision consists of shorter incisions at the temples, and is typically used in patients requiring less extreme rejuvenation. A neck lift incision begins at the ear lobes and ends in the posterior hair behind the ear. This procedure is used when there is loose neck skin and fat accumulation under the chin.

Facelift patients will have some degree of swelling and bruising, and the bandage applied following surgery will need to stay on for a day or two. Typically any staples or sutures used in surgery are removed after 5-10 days, and patients will be presentable to the public within a few weeks. While this recovery may take some time, a facelift procedure can help improve you confidence and take years off your face. Dr. Kim is an experienced cosmetic surgeon who has a highly-developed eye for aesthetic detail, so you will be left with natural-looking results. If you are interested in learning more about a facelift procedure, come in for a consultation with Dr. Kim at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.