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Facelift

Birmingham, Alabama

Some of the most visible signs of aging first appear on the face. Although the changes appear gradually, there may come a day when you look in the mirror and decide that the face you see doesn't reflect the way you feel about yourself. If you'd like to look as good as you feel, a facelift smoothes the loose skin on your face and neck, tightens underlying tissues and removes excess fat. As a result, your face will appear firmer and fresher.

You'll find basic information about facelifts on this page. However, the best way to get complete answers to specific questions that relate to your individual needs is to make an appointment with Dr. Core, a certified plastic surgeon.

Facelifts are most commonly performed on patients in the 40-60 age range. However, the procedure can produce good results in people in their 60's, 70's and 80's as well. You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• Loss of a well-defined jaw line.
• Deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones.
• Loose skin, wrinkles or excess fatty tissue in the neck.
• A deep line that runs from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth.

When having a facelift the incisions are made along your hairline from the temple down around the ear lobe and to the back of the neck. This enables the removal of the excess sagging skin that creates lines and creases that distort the natural lines of your face. When tightening your skin, the surgeon must ensure that it's smooth, but not over-corrected. The right amount of tension is critical, and that's why you must choose a surgeon who specializes in face lifts.

Next, the fatty tissue that makes your face look heavy, jowly and baggy is removed with liposuction. Then the underlying muscle is tightened to restore a younger shape to your face.

The incisions are closed along natural skin lines and bandages are then applied. These dressings will be removed in a few days. Swelling and bruising usually subsides in seven to ten days.

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