There are many options available today for facial rejuvenation, ranging from minimally-invasive skin resurfacing techniques and injectable cosmetics to surgical procedures like blepharoplasty and facial liposuction.  The most dramatic and long lasting results can still be achieved by a traditional facelift procedure, or rhytidectomy.  Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons list facelifts as one of the five most commonly performed procedures in 2013, and their popularity continues to increase each year.  While many procedures may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery, a traditional facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results.

A facelift procedure cannot radically change a person’s appearance or stop the aging process, but it can dramatically improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck.  Facelifts are designed to alleviate sagging in the mid-face and the deep creases below the lower eyelids or along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth.  They also can correct the loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls and remove the excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin.  Many also choose to complement a facelift procedure with a neck lift or eyelid surgery in order to maximize their final results.

A full facelift procedure involves the removal of excess fat and skin, the tightening of underlying muscles, and the repositioning of the skin around the face and neck.  Traditionally, facelift incisions began in the hairline at the temples, continued around the ear, and ended in the lower scalp.  However, modern techniques allow for shorter incisions hidden in the natural creases of the face.  I also perform a special facelift technique, originally developed at Emory, which tightens and supports the strong suspensory ligaments deeper in the face, effectively prolonging the plastic surgery results.

If you’re interested in cosmetic or reconstructive procedures that I perform, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.  Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Hunter Moyer, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.