Facelift: Stop the moments of youth

lift rejuvenation of the facial skin

Maybe no one will say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue with time: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, preserve youth and at the same time naturalness. But is it possible to trust someone with your face without fear? How to choose a good clinic and a competent specialist among the many tempting offers?

What is a facelift for?

With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalance, a slowdown in metabolic processes, a decrease in collagen production, a change in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat packages in some places and their appearance elsewhere where it is undesirable and so on. As a result, facial tissues lose their volume and elasticity, the skin becomes flabby and loose.

No matter how good care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures are used, time will take its toll: all these remedies can only affect the surface layer of the skin. Although it turns out to delay the occurrence of superficial wrinkles for a long time, it will not be possible to stop or completely reverse the processes that occur in deep tissues using all of the above.

On a noteThe advent of modern techniques has enabled surgical tightening services to once again strengthen their position. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), our country is today among the TOP 15 countries in the world in terms of the number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market reached a record turnover over the past five years and increased by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow. The third most popular among all types of plastic surgery is facelift.

Astestimonyfor a facelift, ptosis is the first to appear. This is a prolapse of the soft tissue of the face due to a gradual loss of skin elasticity and tone, deterioration of muscle contractility. Ptosis can dominate in a particular part of the face:

  • in the lower third of the face- ptosis (hanging) of the tissues of the neck and chin on the background of relaxation and an increase in the skin area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases on the neck and to the smoothing of a clear chin-cervical angle;
  • in the middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, nasolacrimal grooves, bags under the eyes and flabby cheeks, distorting the oval in the face;
  • in the upper third of the facewrinkles in the forehead, hanging from the outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, overhanging eyelids, the formation of horizontal wrinkles in the bridge of the nose.

These signs of age-related tissue aging can be compensated for using various techniques for facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology. But when it comes to surgery, it is important not to forget the other side of the coin - contraindications.

Contraindications:

  • malignant neoplasms;
  • violation of blood clots;
  • epilepsy and severe psychosomatic illnesses;
  • untreated hypertension;
  • diseases of internal organs;
  • dermatological diseases;
  • chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage;
  • pregnancy;
  • inflammatory and infectious processes.

On a note

Aging, although not very pleasant, is a natural process in which the natural anthropometric proportions of the face must be preserved, despite the fact that this is accompanied by the occurrence of gravitational ptosis, that is, physiological loss of tissue volume and the formation of skin folds and wrinkles. . Therefore, from the beginning of the degenerative process of tissue it is better to choose more delicate exposure methods that do not give a pronounced effect of a "tuned" face.

Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery has, of course, come a long way in its development, and its possibilities are now great. However, you should be aware that after plastic surgery there are possibilities for complications - surgeons are well aware of them and know how to minimize side effects. However, some complications can be long lasting and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.

Here's an overview of the currently most popular methods of facelift - this allows you to get an idea of the "arsenal" of modern clinics of aesthetic surgery and cosmetology.

Types of braces

Today, plastic surgery specialists are able to perform facelift procedures for all tastes because the possibilities of modern medicine allow it. Each technique has its own followers both among physicians and among patients. Let's take a closer look at how these techniques differ.

Surgical methods for facelift

These techniques allow you to work on the deep tissues of the face so that they can have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are endoscopic facelifts and SMAS lifts - they are aimed at a total solution to age-related problems. With their help, the redistribution of the soft tissues of the face and skin tightening is performed.

Circular facelift (complex face and neck correction) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation, which includes the possibilities of several techniques.

  • Indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, a large amount of excess loose tissue, deep wrinkles and other age-related changes.
  • Contraindications: diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and other systems, as well as liver and kidneys, haematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, the pregnancy and lactation period - to identify contraindications it is necessary to perform laboratory and instrumental examinations, consultwith a number of specialists. . .
  • Damage: high. This is a full-fledged surgery, so when choosing this technique, be aware of the severity of the upcoming intervention.
  • Perform: With a circular scalpel lift, long incisions are made, followed by deep tissue modeling, transposition of fat bags and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Subsequently, it is necessary to stay in a hospital (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period for at least one month.
  • Resultthe most pronounced and long lasting, compared to all other techniques. Possible complications are scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches and extensive hematomas.
  • advantage: the most effective procedure for a facelift with an excessive amount of tissue, the ability to correct deficiencies that other methods can not cope with.
  • Minuses: high trauma, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.

Endoscopic facelift -a progressive type of surgical intervention for deep correction of age-related changes using video endoscopic equipment. As you can understand, this method uses an endoscope with a camcorder several millimeters in size, which transmits an image magnified many times to the screen. So the doctor can clearly see the work area with the nerve bundles and vessels located in it. An endoscopic face and neck lift is performed under general anesthesia. Variants are endoscopic lifts of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each of the operations is used depending on which part of the facial problems is to be dealt with. It is possible both to work with separate zones and to combine several types of interventions. With an endoscopic facelift, the blood vessels are slightly damaged and there is full control over the operation, and if all rules and recommendations are followed, the risk of serious complications is virtually ruled out. Swelling of tissues, small bruises and temporary hair loss in the area of the procedure are possible, but over time the tissues are completely restored.

  • Indications: deep wrinkles and creases, the consequences of sagging soft tissue, lack of tissue volume due to age-related changes, sagging eyelids, sagging eyebrows and other aesthetic problems.
  • Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases of the acute stage, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, skin coagulation disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
  • Damage: medium. The equipment makes it possible to do without large incisions and to control the location of blood vessels and nerves.
  • Performing the procedure: under general anesthesia small incisions are made (up to 1, 5 cm), then a deep detachment of the face mask is performed and tissue manipulation is performed under the control of video endoscopic equipment: dissection, tension and fixation of muscles and fat packages. Finally, cosmetic seams are applied. The stitches are removed in five to seven days and the patient can return to his usual lifestyle in two to three weeks.
  • Result: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, the volume is replenished, but the natural symmetry is preserved. The duration of the effect depends on individual characteristics, the presence of bad habits and stereotypes of behavior, but in general the result can last up to 20 years. If we talk about the possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
  • Plushigh safety and low level of trauma, the possibility of complete control of a video camera, the absence of visible traces of surgery, a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
  • Minuses: in the early rehabilitation period the effect of overcorrection is observed, the technique is ill-suited for patients with a very large excess of skin.

SMAS lift- an effective method of surgical tightening with modeling of the muscular-aponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that the aging process in the middle and lower third of the face is mainly associated with this layer.

  • Indications: signs of aging in the form of sagging and loss of elasticity of the skin, wrinkles, indistinct facial contours.
  • Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases in the acute stage, blood coagulation disorders, pregnancy.
  • Performing the procedure: during the operation, after excision of the excess, the skin is tightened, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The operation takes several hours, after which a recovery period is required, which takes about a month.
  • Resultpersistent, lasts up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic lifts. Possible complications include nerve damage, hematomas and edema.
  • advantagemethods: noticeable lifting effect, elimination of excess skin.
  • Minuses: the risk of complications, the presence of scars around the auricle (in front and behind the ears).

Non-surgical skin tightening

This is a group of techniques whose use allows you to achieve a lifting effect without significant damage to the skin. Such approaches have gained their popularity due to the possibility of performing a facelift procedure without surgery, i. e. in a more gentle way with a minimum rehabilitation period. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of the effect.

Hardware cosmetologyincludes techniques that apply ultrasound, radio wave or laser lifting effects to tissues without violating their integrity.

  • Indications: wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and clear contour.
  • Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, pregnancy.
  • Damage: absent or almost absent.
  • Perform: during the procedure the impact of the problem area is performed with special equipment, In this case there is no need to use general anesthesia and for a long rehabilitation period. The patient can return to their company immediately, it is only necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations. With some procedures, just a few sessions are enough, while others require a procedure sequence.
  • Result: restores firmness and turgor, smoothes wrinkles, stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin. The result is less durable than after surgical tightening and depends heavily both on the characteristics of the patient's body and directly on the particular conditions of the chosen technique. The effect usually lasts for two to three years.
  • advantagevisible effect without trauma, absence of painful sensations and need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
  • Minusesinability to eliminate many of the expressed problems of aging, less noticeable and lasting result, the need to repeat the course.

Injections -the introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin to combat age-related changes.

  • Indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
  • Contraindications: severe chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage, skin diseases, violation of the integrity of the skin, blood coagulation disorders, individual drug intolerance, pregnancy and lactation.
  • Damage: The contour plastic surgery procedure is considered to be less traumatic, but there is a risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves with a needle.
  • Perform: The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete. Only anesthesia can be used, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or needle. Using a filler you can eliminate nasolacrimal grooves, nasolabial folds, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is only injected into the muscles - to relieve hypertonicity and then smooth out wrinkles. Also in this way it is quite possible to "raise" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal business and do them according to the doctor's recommendations.
  • Result: procedures allow to rebuild volume and eliminate wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of drug. The effect can last for three-six months to a year or a year and a half.
  • advantage: low trauma, the ability to correct the result if it turned out to be unsatisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and the use of general anesthesia.
  • Minuses: short-term result, need for repetition, visual elimination of only superficial imperfections.

The cost of facial rejuvenation procedures: can not buy youth?

When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the familiar phrase: "You get what you pay for. " Any kind of facelift is a procedure that requires modern equipment, high-quality medicine and anesthesia, giving the patient special living conditions and most importantly. , a high qualification of the surgeon. If the price of this type of service is suspiciously low, it means that some of these points (or all at once) are not respected, and perhaps the clinic does not have a license at all. But the beauty and health of facial skin is not something you can save on. The public knows a large number of stories about patients who, when they decided to save money, were later forced to spend much larger amounts, not only on correcting the consequences of a failed operation in terms of the aesthetic side, but also onto restore their health.

On average, the price of a deep surgical facelift of two areas of the face starts from a rather impressive amount; if it is necessary to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, you will need to use even more. The exact cost can only be found at the consultation, as the extent of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. We are talking about age, the quality of the skin, the amount of unwanted tissue, the type of structure in the face, as well as the person's desires and more.

Hardware (ultrasound) SMAS facelift is not too cheap, the price is greatly affected by the number of lines. The cost of contouring with fillers depends on the drug and the volume of administration required.

Technologies that make it possible to return to young people are constantly being improved, expanding more and more the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to eliminate almost any manifestation of age-related changes, and after the introduction of endoscopic technology, it also became possible to minimize the trauma of surgeries. So the use of modern equipment, an individual approach and the use of advanced techniques are all that people who want to look rejuvenated can count on.

Where can I go for the procedure?

Recommendations for choosing a center for aesthetic medicine and a specialist are given by an expert - plastic surgeon:

"Since plastic surgery and cosmetology gained great popularity, a large number of specialized clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards for the provision of medical services and employ unscrupulous specialists. Such clinics are not only not interested in addressing the patient. problem successfully, but simply do not have the necessary resources for high-quality work.

In order to find a first-class doctor and a comfortable clinic, it is necessary to study as much information as possible about the specialists and the institution itself. First of all, do not hesitate to ask for a license for the right to perform medical activities, certificates, diplomas from doctors. . . In addition, all of these documents should be publicly available on the site. It is necessary that the license reflects compliance with the requirements of the procedure for the provision of medical care in the profile "Plastic Surgery", approved by the order of the Ministry of Health. You should also pay attention to the documents confirming the current certification of the surgeon. It is worth finding out what the status of the clinic is, whether it has a sufficient level of funding to acquire high quality equipment, and whether the medical institution has experience in performing the necessary procedures and photos of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution has been operating for more than a year: If the history of the clinic is long, it suggests that patients (and regulators) have already formed a trusting attitude towards this medical institution.

An important selection criterion is a wide range of services and an integrated approach to solving the patient's aesthetic problems in one place: from diagnostic measures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.