Does Facelift Remove Wrinkles?
From the worry lines (frown lines) that are etched deep into our forehead to the smile lines that crinkle the corners of our eyes when we laugh, wrinkles are a major concern for many women and men.
We start to see the first signs of ageing in our mid-to-late twenties, and by the time we hit our forties, we search for ways to keep the ageing process at bay. So, when it comes to getting rid of wrinkles, is a facelift the answer?
In this blog, we’ll look at the science behind facelifts and find out what they can do to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
What is a Facelift?
The ads for anti-wrinkling creams and serums are everywhere. They portray young, fresh-faced girls with no wrinkle in sight, and promise that you can also achieve this look with their help. So, of course, you buy into it, hook, line, and sinker. You slather on the creams, use the serums, take the supplements, and do your best to follow their advice. And yet, you are still left with wrinkles.
At what point will you admit defeat to crow’s feet and forehead creases?
For many people, that point comes when they notice that their skin does not have the same elasticity and radiance as it did in their youth. No matter how much water you drink or how diligently you apply sunscreen, the skin around our eyes starts to sag, and those lines between our brows become more profound over time.
That’s when most patients consider having a facelift.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic facial surgery designed to improve the face’s appearance by tightening the face’s skin and softening wrinkles.
During a facelift, a flap of skin is lifted from the face, and the underlying muscles are tightened. The skin is then re-draped over the new, tighter contours of the face, and excess skin is removed.
The goal of a facelift is to create a more youthful appearance by restoring the natural contours of the face and reducing the sagging and folds on the skin of the cheeks, jawline, and neck. The procedure can be performed alone or in conjunction with a neck lift.
Your plastic surgeon will recommend the proper type of facelift depending on the severity of your facial wrinkles or sagging skin.
Why Do We Develop Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are the result of a combination of factors, both internal and external.
As we age, our skin produces less and less collagen from the age of about 20 onwards. Collagen is a protein that helps to keep our skin firm, elastic, and hydrated.
When we lose collagen, our skin becomes thinner and less supple, leading to wrinkles. In addition to the loss of collagen, other internal factors that can contribute to the appearance of wrinkles include sun exposure, smoking, and poor diet.
When it comes to sun exposure, ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin, causing it to lose its elasticity and become wrinkled.
Smoking contributes to wrinkles, making existing wrinkles more profound and more pronounced. This is because the constant movement of smoking can break down elastin and collagen fibers in the skin.
A poor diet can also lead to wrinkles, as it can cause the skin to become dry, dull, and lacking in nutrients.
Will A Facelift Make Wrinkles Disappear?
However, it is essential to remember that a facelift is not a cure-all procedure. It will not make all your wrinkles disappear and prevent new ones from forming. That is why future touch-up procedures, such as non-invasive anti-wrinkle treatments, are suggested for maintaining the results of a facelift.
The specific techniques used during a facelift will depend on the individual’s goals and needs. In most cases, the surgeon will make incisions along the hairline, in front of the ear, and sometimes behind the ear. The location and extent of the incisions required will depend on the patient’s degree of excess skin and fatty tissue.
The plastic surgeon tightens underlying muscles through these incisions and removes excess skin. In some cases, the underlying fat in the cheeks, jawline, and neck may be sculpted or redistributed to create a more youthful appearance. The final results of the surgery will be visible once all of the incisions have healed and any swelling has subsided. However, it is important to remember that a facelift cannot stop the natural process of ageing. So while your wrinkles may disappear, new ones will eventually form.
How Long Will the Facelift Last?
While a facelift can give you a more youthful appearance, it is not a permanent solution. The effects of the surgery will typically last for around ten years before the ageing process begins to take over again and new wrinkles start to form.
It is important to note that every patient is unique, and many factors can affect the longevity of the results, such as skin type, age, lifestyle, and aftercare.
To help prolong the effects of your facelift, following a healthy lifestyle and protecting your skin from the sun is essential. Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher during winter and summer, avoiding smoking, and eating a healthy diet can help keep your skin looking its best.
When is the Right Time to Get a Facelift?
While there is no wrong time to get a facelift, the decision of when to have one is ultimately personal. Typically, the best results are achieved in women in their 40s or 50s, with a secondary “refresher” lift in their 60s or 70s.
Men tend to age differently than women. The most common time for a man to get a facelift is in his 50s or 60s, with a secondary lift in his 70s.
Thinking About Getting a Facelift in Cyprus, Greece or Malta?
If the first signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of facial volume, make you feel worried and take a toll on your confidence, a facelift can help restore a youthful appearance.
It is a safe and long-lasting procedure that removes and tightens excess skin on your face and can even be combined with other treatments, such as a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery.
Call us today to book an initial consultation with Dr. Demetris Stavrou and his team in Nicosia, Limassol, Athens or Sliema.
Dr. Stravou is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing all types of facelifts. He will answer any questions about facelifts, such as what type of facelift incisions there are and what is the right option for you and help you decide if the procedure is right for you. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online by filling out the form.
Wondering if you can go to the beach after having a facelift?
Dr Stavrou is a board-certified and highly experienced plastic surgeon in Cyprus, Greece and Malta, with a keen interest in informing patients about the latest updates on reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery.
- University of Athens Medical School
- Residency in Plastic Surgery at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Assistant Professor, St George’s, University of London / Medical School at the University of Nicosia
- Honorary Tutor at the University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, UK
- MSc with Distinction in “Wound Healing and Tissue Repair”, University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, U.K
- Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS)
- International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) Instructor
- Fellowship in “Advanced Aesthetic Surgery” from the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery – Monash University, Australia
- Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
- Brow Lift
- Chin Augmentation
- Facelift
- Facial Cancer Treatment
- Neck Lift
- Otoplasty
- Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
