Face Lift

Introduction to Face Lifts

Facial aging is similar to the movement of a glacier. It is the migration of facial fat over time, which drags the skin as it goes. The skin's elasticity degrades over time as well, so it cannot resist the pull of gravity as it once did. This is what causes the deep folds surrounding your mouth and nose—those wide smile lines—and what causes the hollowing beneath your eyes, the jowls sagging from your jaw, and the excess skin in your neck. This is where Dr. Shapiro comes in. An expertly crafted, truly beneficial face lift demands a mastery of the intricacies of facial anatomy, mature aesthetic vision, detailed procedural planning and execution, and a passion to provide each individual case the most outstanding result possible. Dr. Shapiro, of course, has all of these things. He is quoted as saying, “Face Lift surgery is one of my personal favorites. Experience counts more in face lift surgery than any other type of cosmetic surgery.”

The Facial Structure

The general facial structure is divided into thirds. The upper third of the face includes the eyebrows and forehead, which are addressed by a brow lift. The middle is considered the area of the eyes, including upper and lower eyelids as well as the areas just above and below. These are addressed by eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty. The bottom third includes the facial area below the eyes including the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It is addressed by a face lift. Each patient is unique, and each face lift should be tailored depending upon patient desires, from extremely subtle changes to more profound improvements as described below.

Mini-Face Lift Procedure

A mini-face lift, also known as a cheeklift or a limited incision face lift, is ideal for younger patients with good skin elasticity and mild facial aging. Indicators of these criteria would include early cheek laxity or minimal jowls. The mini-face lift addresses the appearance of the cheeks but does not include the neck like a full face lift does. A mini-face lift is a minimally invasive, rather minor procedure with incisions placed inconspicuously along the inside of the ear cartilage. It can be performed under mild sedation in Dr. Shapiro's office, and the patient can be discharged post-operation.

Standard Face Lift Procedures

A standard face lift is for patients with more advanced signs of aging. 
 For most patients, the issues addressed with a standard face lift are sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and double-chins caused by excessive fat accumulation beneath the chin. Contrary to popular belief, the standard face lift is not meant to pull the skin into place, as this means excessive tension and will lead to even more sagging because the skin will not be able to keep itself in place. Dr. Shapiro's Scottsdale face lift will never give you a "windswept" look by pulling the skin too tight. Instead, he will address the facial fat in combination with readjustment of the skin. With his attention to detail and professional care, you will not have a masked look to your face, a distorted hairline, or visible scars. Instead, you will get a natural looking result with the minimum scarring possible.

Contemporary Face Lift

The contemporary face lift is a similar procedure to the standard face lift because the skin is never pulled back. Instead, the underlying fat and musculature of the face is addressed for a thorough and natural result. The facial fat that have since migrated south are removed and restored to their natural environment, lifted atop the cheek bones. The result is a youthful and full facial contour. The jawline and neck are also cared for in the same manner. It is often said that the surgeon's signature is made of the scars that he leaves. In this case, Dr. Shapiro, a Scottsdale Surgeon, is the invisible man. Because there is no tension on the skin with a contemporary face lift, the incisions heal inconspicuously with no obvious signs of the surgeon's presence.

Further Improvements

Occasionally, further improvements can be made by using gentle liposuction to remove extra fat from the neck. In other cases, using fat injections will help restore youthful volume to the cheeks. Other options include a total face rejuvenation, also called a complete or total face lift. This procedure would address all three sections of the face at once for a balanced and natural result. Every patient's needs are different, and should be thoroughly addressed with Dr. Shapiro in his Scottsdale area office.

Face Lift Surgery Recovery and Maintenance

There is little to no pain involved with face lift surgery, no matter which option you choose. In some cases there is some minor swelling or bruising. Patients are generally asked to stay at the Paradise Valley Surgical Recovery Center overnight and will have their hair specially washed in the Scottsdale area office the next morning. Sutures are removed within ten days of surgery. Patients can comfortably socialize about two weeks after surgery. Face Lifts surgeries can last from seven to ten years. When maintenance is desired, it is often tightening in the cheek area.