Are Facelifts Dangerous?

A huntersville facelift, which is also called rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure which works to give patients a more youthful appearance. It works by reshaping the lower half of the face and removing excess skin. Rhytidectomy can tighten loose skin around the jaw line, which is sometimes referred to as "jowls." It can also remove deep creases in addition to excess skin and fat below the chin and on the neck. The procedure can also tighten underlying tissues, and can be combined with other surgery to enhance the forehead, cheeks, brows and eyelids.

In 2016, 107,261 women and 13,702 men had a facelift in the United States. It was the fifth most common type of aesthetic surgery for men.

A facelift removes excess facial skin. Facelift surgery is typically an outpatient procedure. The surgeon may use a local anesthetic or general anesthesia. The procedure can take from two to five hours to complete, and patients are normally able to return home the same day of surgery. In a typical facelift, the surgeon will make an incision in front of the ear. It then extends up into the hairline and behind the ear into the scalp. The surgeon will then lift the skin off the deeper facial muscles and fat, gently pull the skin in an upward and posterior motion, and remove the excess skin. The surgeon may also tighten the deeper facial tissues.

A small incision may also be made below the chin in order to tighten the skin and tissue of the neck for a neck lift.

Following surgery, the incisions are closed with sutures. A drain may be placed below the skin and behind the ear for a few days in order to remove excess blood and fluid.

Before surgery, the plastic surgeon will become familiar with the patient's medical history. They will evaluate the following:

• Blood pressure
• Blood clotting
• Medications
• Smoking habits (if applicable)
• Substance use
• Allergies
• Scarring
• Skin condition

The doctor will also discuss expectations for the surgery, where it will be performed, anesthesia, recovery and review possible complications.

The goal of a facelift is to create a smoother and more youthful appearance in the face. A few goals of the procedure include:

1. Remove and tighten sagging skin
2. Reduce excess skin around the cheeks and jaw line
3. Lift the corners of the mouth
4. Reduce the creases between the cheeks and the lips

The incisions around the ear are not typically noticeable. One downsides of the procedure is that it does not last forever.

It can be more difficult for men to achieve a natural appearance after surgery. This is because they have hair in front of their ears and if the sideburns are moved, it can look strange. Facelifts can also lead to distorted earlobes in both men and women. If the procedure removes too much skin, the face can look pulled-back and unnatural.

For optimal results, the patient may require additional procedures, which may include a neck lift, eyelid surgery, liposuction, fat injection, removal of cheek fat, forehead lift, brow lift, chemical peel or cheek/chin implants. Facelifts are also quite expensive. In 2016, the average cost for a facelift was $7,503. Insurance does not typically cover the procedure.

Complications of facelift surgery are rare, and cosmetic procedures are generally safe. It is important to select a qualified and experienced surgeon for the procedure. As with any surgery, there are possible risks involved. These risks and complications can include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Facial nerve damage
• Hair loss near the incision site
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Loss of facial symmetry
• Numbness
• Scarring
• Skin necrosis
• Unsightly scarring

More info on Facelifts : Procedure for a Facelift