Aging is something that we all experience at our own pace and in our own ways. Aging can manifest in the form of sagging skin and wrinkles on the face. For those who are interested in countering these visible signs of aging, facelift surgery can offer one solution.
At Maryland Plastic Surgery and PURE MedSpa, Dr. Summers has made significant strides in minimally invasive facelift techniques, including the introduction of the one-hour SMART Facelift. Our facelift surgery in Millersville, MD, can offer you everything from less invasive surgeries to full facelifts depending on the concerns that you want to have addressed. When you come for a consultation, we can explore the options and discuss the youthful effects that you may be able to achieve through these procedures.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a type of cosmetic procedure that gives your face a more youthful appearance by removing excess facial skin, tightening underlying tissues, and more. During this type of surgery, sagging, wrinkling, and other signs of aging can be addressed. While it doesn’t halt the aging process, it can enhance your natural features and make you look younger.
What Is a Rhytidectomy?
A rhytidectomy is a more technical term used to describe a facelift procedure. It can describe any type of surgical procedure that aims to improve the face through the removal of skin or the tightening of muscles and other tissues.
The Science Behind Aging
Over time, the production of collagen and elastin — two proteins essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity — declines in our bodies. This decrease, coupled with gravity and years of facial muscle movement, can lead to the development of wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin.
While it is normal for these signs to appear as we reach our 40s and 50s, several factors can accelerate the process. Unprotected exposure to the sun, smoking, and even stress can contribute to premature aging, manifesting as deeper wrinkles or sagging skin at an earlier age. Facelift procedures can be one key component of facial revitalization.
How Facelifts Help Maintain Youthfulness
Facelifts are about restoring the youthful vitality that time and lifestyle factors may have gradually altered. They can help maintain youthfulness in several ways including:
- Restoring natural contours: By addressing areas affected by the aging process, facelifts realign the face’s natural contours.
- Removing excess skin: Sagging or drooping features, often caused by excess skin, are improved through its careful removal during a facelift.
- Tightening and repositioning underlying tissues: The underlying tissues and muscles can be drawn and repositioned during a facelift, emulating the firmness and elasticity of a younger face.
- Rejuvenating skin texture: A well-executed facelift can rejuvenate the skin’s texture, leading to a fresher and more youthful look with fewer wrinkles.
Types of Facelift Surgery
One-Hour SMART Facelift
Pioneered by Dr. Summers over two decades ago, the One-Hour SMART Facelift has benefited over a thousand patients with its suture suspension technique. This technique lifts the Skin, Muscle, and Adipose while Reducing Tension, hence the acronym “SMART.” The procedure, performed under local anesthesia within about an hour, offers immediate results and is especially suitable for individuals in their mid-30s to mid-60s with minor jowling and some cheek folds.
The SMART Facelift does not involve any skin removal, which may make it a better option for those who don’t have significant laxity and who are seeking natural-looking results without a “windswept” appearance. Although the longevity of the results varies due to individual aging rates, many of Dr. Summers’ patients have enjoyed mid-face elevation results lasting 5-10 years or longer.
Full Facelift
The full facelift procedure offers comprehensive facial rejuvenation, ideal for counteracting deep wrinkles, significant sagging skin, and muscle tone loss. The treatment targets the lower face and neck, areas prone to visible aging. It involves making incisions at the hairline, extending around the ears, and ending at the lower scalp. The skin is lifted, underlying tissues are repositioned, and excess skin is removed, allowing for a more youthful facial structure.
Mini Facelift
The mini facelift is a focused treatment, ideal for addressing early signs of aging. This procedure targets the jawline and lower cheeks using smaller incisions around the ears. Through these, the surgeon can tighten the skin and underlying tissues, enhancing the facial contour with a subtle lift. The mini facelift can offer noticeable rejuvenation while being less invasive and involving a shorter recovery time.
How to Boost the Results of Your Facelift
Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle plays a significant role in maintaining and enhancing the results of your facelift. It includes regular exercise, balanced nutrition, staying hydrated, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake. By taking care of your overall health, you can help your skin to retain its youthfulness and delay the onset of new signs of aging.
Nourishing Skin Care
In tandem with facelift surgery, maintaining a nourishing skincare regimen can boost your facelift results. This includes daily cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen, along with using products suited to your skin type and concerns. Regular exfoliation can also help by removing dead skin cells and promoting skin renewal.
Additional Treatments
In some cases, additional aesthetic or cosmetic treatments may be beneficial to address specific concerns not typically corrected by facelifts, such as complexion issues. These treatments are often designed to complement facelift results, producing a more overall rejuvenation appearance. However, it’s crucial to discuss these options with a professional to ensure they’re suitable for your specific needs and goals.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation Today
Understanding the different types of facelift surgery and their benefits can be the first step toward reclaiming your youthful appearance. If you’re considering this procedure, we can assist you at Maryland Plastic Surgery and PURE MedSpa. Reach out to us at (410) 553-9444 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options in Millersville, MD.
