With age, facial and neck skin tends to sag. In addition to the passage of time, many external factors, such as the sun, smoking, weight loss and stress, can affect skin tone. You may notice wrinkles, sunken cheekbones, creases around the mouth, jowls and loose neck skin.

A rhytidectomy (or face lift) treats the area from the cheekbones to the neck and reverses the effects of aging by tightening the skin and muscles of the face and neck. Men and women alike can benefit from the most recent surgical techniques, which produce natural results without changing the shape of the face.

Note that, for minor corrections, it is possible to selectively lift precise areas of the face. For example, the cheekbones alone can be lifted by going through the eyelids (midface lift).  

Face Lift (Rhytidectomy), before

before

Face Lift (Rhytidectomy), after

after

“Note: These photos are published for information purposes only in order to provide information on the nature of the intervention. In no way should they be considered a guarantee of results.”

 

 

Intervention

The procedure, which takes 2½ to 6 hours, is performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extend of the surgery. The incisions are hidden around the ears. Other surgical interventions can be performed along with the face lift, such as blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or the placement of cheekbone or chin implants to better define facial features.

 

Convalescence

 

  • Small temporary drains will be placed under the skin to facilitate the drainage of fluid and blood. They will be removed 2 to 5 days later during the postoperative appointment. The swelling and bruises will go away in 2 to 3 weeks. To reduce swelling, it will be recommended to apply ice for 20-minute periods and to keep the head elevated at a 30º angle at all times for 2 weeks (it will be necessary to sleep in a semi-upright position).
  • It is important to avoid sun exposure and tanning salons for a year, as this can darken the scars. Also, it will be recommended that you apply an SPF 30 sunscreen to your face at all times.
  • You can return to work 1 week after the surgery (2 weeks for people working with the public).
  • Wait 3 weeks before engaging in cardiovascular activities, 4 weeks for sports activities and 6 weeks for contact sports.