Non-surgical treatments can hold lines, wrinkles, and loose skin at bay for many years. However, you may reach a point where you want more anti-aging effects than non-surgical procedures can give you. A facelift rejuvenates both the mid and lower face and the neck for a naturally youthful appearance.
What is a Facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
A facelift or rhytidectomy improves sagging of the mid and lower face as well as of the neck. During the procedure, Dr. Langdon lifts and tightens the fascia layer beneath the skin, using a vertical lift to counter the effects of gravity to give you natural-looking results. He also removes excess skin. In addition to smoothing lines and wrinkles, a facelift also lifts and corrects sagging skin around the neck and jowls to restore a more contoured jawline.
How Does a Facelift Work?
During a traditional facelift, a surgeon makes long incisions and tightens the skin, sometimes creating an unnatural stretched or “swept-back” appearance. Dr. Langdon performs the Express-Lift, a minimal incision facelift procedure. He uses a much shorter (about half the length) skin incision and lifts and tightens the Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS) fascia layer, giving your face and neck more youthful contours and restoring structures that have sagged over time.
Am I a Candidate for a Facelift?
If you have the appearance of sagging skin on the lower part of your face and your neck, you might be an excellent candidate for a facelift. Ideal candidates have no major health problems and understand the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should have reasonable expectations and communicate clearly with Dr. Langdon if you have any questions. You may not be a good candidate for a facelift if your main concerns involve the eye or forehead areas because a facelift does not correct these problems.
Surgical or Non-Surgical Facelift?
Some people may not feel ready for a surgical procedure but want to tighten their skin and improve their neck and jawline. The Precision Tx™ laser system uses a small cannula inserted under the skin that heats the underlying tissues. This heat triggers collagen fibers in the skin to tighten, restoring firmness to your cheeks, jawline, and neck. If you have significant amounts of loose skin, laser skin tightening will probably not be enough to achieve the desired results.
What Results Will I See With a Facelift?
The results of a facelift can be seen immediately after the procedure but it can take a few weeks for all swelling to disappear. Most patients look very presentable within one week of the ExpresS-Lift. You can expect your results to last up to ten years or even longer. Many people find themselves satisfied with their results for life, but some people will have another facelift in the future. Many people who have a facelift also add another procedure like an eyelid or brow lift to improve the upper part of the face.
I had 3 treatments with the PicoSure laser to remove 2 black ink tattoos. The tattoos are 20 years old and located on my ankle and lower back. I previously had 12 treatments with a qswitch laser at Cornell and almost gave up as the results were poor in my case. The PicoSure laser at Dr. Langdon’s office was the exact opposite experience. There is much less pain and discomfort with a much quicker recovery time than my Cornell qswitch experience. I hardly noticed any pain after the procedure and even the next day there was no need to address a wound like I did with the Cornell qswitch treatments. The results are unbelievable and the tattoos are now greatly diminished. I anticipate 2 more treatments to completely remove the visible elements of the ink. I also feel the treatment price is fair due to the high cost of this cutting edge laser. It has been a wonderful experience and I would recommend the Langdon center to anyone removing an unwanted tattoo. I was getting very discouraged in the past and the PicoSure laser treatments gave me faith that I will finally be able to remove my tattoos.
Take the Next Step
If you have further questions about facelifts, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at The Langdon Center in Guilford, CT. Call us at 203-453-8625 or fill out our convenient online contact form.