What Happens During a Facelift?

Chances are you understand the purpose of a facelift — to give your face a younger, healthier appearance. But how exactly do surgeons go about removing excess or sagging skin, and then lifting and tightening it to give you a smoother, more youthful look? 

At Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, Dr. Christopher Brooks has the experience and expertise needed. He can give you the results you desire from a facelift with none of the shiny, “too tight” skin you may have dreaded in the past. Today’s facelifts use minimally invasive techniques, when possible, to give you amazing, natural-looking results. 

Take a moment to learn what happens during a facelift and whether it might be the right procedure for you.

What is a facelift?

The term “facelift” actually describes a family of procedures rather than a specific procedure. Dr. Brooks uses a conservative approach to guide you in choosing the best type of facelift for your goals. 

Here’s a closer look at two of the most popular types of facelifts:

Mini or “skin-only” facelift

If your skin still holds some resiliency, a mini or “skin-only” facelift may work for you. This surgery is less invasive than a full facelift, meaning recovery time is faster. With a mini-facelift your skin becomes lifted and tighter, but it doesn’t address the tissues underlying your skin. 

Standard or “full” facelift

If your skin doesn’t have much resiliency or if you have deep lines, a standard or “full” facelift will probably offer the best results. During this type of facelift, Dr. Brooks lifts your skin and the deeper superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer. As a result, your entire middle and lower face are lifted and tightened, helping you look younger. 

What happens during a facelift?

Your team members at Brooks Plastic Surgery give you detailed preop guidelines to ensure a smooth surgery. When you arrive and are situated for surgery, you’ll go under anesthesia, meaning you won’t feel any discomfort during your surgery. 

Dr. Brooks marks your face to create guidelines and begins your procedure with incisions. With a full facelift, your incision may go from the hairline around your temple, around the ears, toward the lower scalp. 

Next, Dr. Brooks lifts your skin away from the muscle and connective tissue. He then repositions these foundational tissues to provide a base for your youthful appearance. 

During your facelift, Dr. Brooks may redistribute fat to plump up some areas and thin out others. He then pulls the skin and positions it over the foundation tissues, removing any excess or sagging skin. 

Some patients opt to have a neck lift at the same time. In this case, you have an additional incision made under your chin so Dr. Brooks can perform the neck lift.

If you opt for a mini facelift, Dr. Brooks only lifts and repositions the skin in the area linked to your temples. This improves the appearance of your skin around your eyes and cheeks, taking years off with well-placed repositioning of your skin but without moving the underlying tissues.

Dr. Brooks uses dissolvable sutures or skin glue to close the incisions. After the procedure you’ll be monitored in the recovery area before being sent home. 

You may be sore, see some bruising, and have some swelling for the first few days after your facelift. The good news is that your recovery won’t take long. Most patients say they feel comfortable venturing out about one week after a facelift. And you should be almost healed after two weeks. 

How can I learn more about facelifts?

To learn more about facelifts, it’s important to talk with a compassionate medical provider who takes time to answer your questions and address your concerns. At Brooks Plastic Surgery, we understand that undergoing cosmetic surgery is a choice. Dr. Brooks and your care team work hard to ensure you feel confident and comfortable with your decision. 

If you’re ready to learn more about the possibility of having a facelift, contact our team at Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, or request an appointment online today.