Aging stinks. Sure we’re supposedly wiser, but we’re also vastly saggier! Most people would probably give away some wisdom in exchange for less sagging. And while this scenario could be the plot of a movie, Dr. Ip’s patients opt to stay just as wise yet become far less saggy with a facelift.
When a patient comes in for a consultation on what to do about the signs of aging, if Dr. Ip sees a combination of wrinkles, fine lines, and deep creases, coupled with sagging skin on the face and neck, he often recommends a facelift.
Who should think about a facelift?
Facelifts are a good option for patients with sagging skin on their cheeks, jawline, and neck, along with noticeable creases just below their lower eyelids. Facelifts are effective at addressing smile lines that run from the nose down to the mouth. Plus, a facelift can tighten the muscles in the lower face that have drooped with age, leading to jowls and a double chin. While there are trendier procedures, a facelift can achieve great results in battling facial aging.
How doe Dr. Ip perform a facelift?
- Local or general anesthesia is administered, depending on patient choice and situation.
- For a traditional facelift, an incision is made at the temples, continuing down around the ears, and ending at the patient’s lower hairline. Dr. Ip then pulls the skin up, allowing him to redistribute fat across the affected area and sculpt the underlying tissues for a more toned look.
- He then re-drapes the skin across the uplifted tissues and removes and excess skin.
- If the patient also has neck sagging, a second incision will be made just under the chin to allow Dr. Ip to tighten and lift the underlying tissues and again remove any excess skin.
- If the patient doesn’t need a full facelift, Dr. Ip may use a limited incision approach where shorter incisions are made around the ears and possibly within the lower eyelids or the upper lip. This allows for a more subtle lift.
- Incisions are closed with sutures and skin adhesives where possible.
What is recovery like?
There is a fair amount of swelling and bruising involved with a facelift due to the repositioning of so much skin. Patients will need to keep their head elevated and avoid any laughing or other movements that can strain the facial muscles for the first week or so. Results will take some time to show themselves, as swelling can last for a few weeks.
Interested in losing that facial sagging? Call Dr. Ip at his Newport Beach or Manhattan office and set up a consultation for a facelift.
