As one gets older, skin and tissues naturally lose their elasticity. This leads to sagging and wrinkles. A facelift is a surgical cosmetic procedure to give the face a younger appearance. The procedure can reduce sagging skin, smooth out folds or wrinkles, and tighten facial tissue.

Dr. Mrinalini Sharma, a well-known cosmetic surgeon, performs all types of anti-aging facelift in Delhi. In this blog, she has answered a few frequently asked questions about facelift surgery.

What is the typical age for facelift surgery?

Facelifts are typically done between the ages of 40 and 60. Though there is no typical age for a facelift, everything is dependent on the degree of skin aging. Other procedures like anti-wrinkle injections, fillers, Ultherapy, and HIFU can be used to treat early signs of aging. Facelifts are the best solution for wrinkles and sagging skin.

What kinds of facelifts are there?

1. Skin lift: This type of facelift is the simplest because it only removes extra skin without touching the underlying muscles. The procedure requires less downtime because the procedure is fairly quick. Although, the skin may stretch again, so the effects might not last very long.
2. SMAS lift: This is a more sophisticated facelift that targets the looseness of the underlying facial tissue. The fibrous tissue that lies between the facial muscles and subcutaneous fat is known as the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System). This is specifically tightened in conjunction with the skin above it during a SMAS lift. As a result, the repair is stronger and the results last longer than with a skin-only approach.

How long will the procedure take, and what are the steps involved?

Under general anesthesia, a facelift procedure can be performed as a day procedure. The procedure takes two to six hours. The incisions are made in discrete locations along the hairline and in the fold that naturally forms in front of the ear. The facial skin is separated from the underlying fat and muscle by the surgeon, who then tightens the muscle and fascia. The skin is then redraped, with the surgeon trimming and suturing or stapling it into place.

Does it leave any obvious scars?

Facelift scars are not very visible because they are concealed in the hairline, the folds behind the ears, or under the jawline. Most patients are extremely satisfied with the trade-off because the procedure removes many years from the patient's appearance. 

Is there going to be any downtime with this procedure?

About a week to ten days after your surgery, you can resume light activities and work, though you'll probably need to cover up any lingering bruises with cosmetics. Once the swelling completely goes down over the course of the next few weeks, you will be able to see the final results, which are certainly deserving of praise.

Want to clear more doubts about the surgery? Book a consultation with Dr. Mrinalini Sharma, a facelift surgeon in Delhi today at Aestiva Clinic.