A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a popular plastic surgery that restores a youthful appearance to the face by removing loose skin.
Facelift in Richmond, VA
Overview
The skin loses elasticity with age, which causes lines, wrinkles, and skin folds. During a facelift, Richmond facelift expert Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS, a facial plastic surgeon, surgically tightens deep facial tissue and excises the excess skin from the face.
Surgical Technique
Various techniques are used today to perform a facelift. Facial anatomy, skin laxity, and the patient's overall aesthetic goal will determine the best approach. Each procedure is unique to the patient and will vary based on the type and location of the incision, the number of tissue layers affected, the plane of elevation, and the level of invasiveness.
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During/After Surgery
Most facelift procedures are performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. The length of the surgery will vary, but it generally takes between 3-4 hours. This surgery is considered an outpatient procedure. However, some patients may be required to stay overnight in the hospital. After surgery, patients will be bruised and swollen, and their face and neck will feel tight. This will gradually improve within a few days. It is common to feel anxious about how the face will appear. However, patients need to understand it can take several months for the final results to show. Incisions typically heal rapidly and are hard to see, even after 3-4 weeks.
Facelift FAQs
Is there a non-surgical alternative to a facelift?
Will I look fake?
Will the facelift leave visible scars?
What is the best age for a facelift?
Is there a non-surgical alternative to a facelift?
BOTOX®, injectable fillers, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels are non-surgical procedures that can help smooth out wrinkles, improve fine lines, and add facial volume. These procedures also help to even out skin tone. However, these treatments will only affect the skin’s surface. Patients with loose skin, drooping jowls, or a sagging neck will need to consider surgery if they want these features improved.
Will I look fake?
In the days immediately following facelift surgery, patients will feel tight and pulled. These are some short-term effects, but they will subside. It’s important to find a reputable surgeon skilled in facial surgery. Surgeons who know what they are doing will make every effort to work within the confines of the patient’s bone, skin, and muscle structures so a younger, more natural look can result.
Will the facelift leave visible scars?
Facelift surgery does require incisions. However, these scars are well hidden, as they fall just along the hairline and around the ears in the natural folds and shadows. In most cases, the scars are barely visible. Dr. Bridges' short scar deep plane vertical lifting technique limits the incision length to minimize scarring.
What is the best age for a facelift?
The common age range for patients who undergo a facelift is from the mid to late 40s and older. It is typical for most patients to look 5-10 years younger following a facelift procedure. Younger patients (40-50 years old) generally have stronger skin elasticity, so their results may last longer than older patients. However, older patients may have results that appear more dramatic, and, for them, this can be very worthwhile. Patients should think of a facelift as a process to turn back the aging clock. You will still age, but you will appear a few years younger.
