Making a change to your facial appearance through a facelift should not be approached lightly. Finding a board-certified doctor to deliver your desired results is not always easy when it comes to cosmetic surgery. If you would like to rejuvenate and refresh your appearance with a facelift, Cosmetic Town is ready to help you find the best doctor to give you the superior results you desire. The following is our 2018 list of the “Best Facelift Doctors in Los Angeles” as determined by the Cosmetic Town intelligent system::
- Boris Ackerman, MD
- Jed Horowitz, MD
- Michael Elam, MD
- Larry Nichter, MD
- Mark Anton, MD
- Robert Wald, MD
- Johan Brahme, MD
- Arian Mowlavi, MD
Patients travel to Los Angeles, as well as the surrounding cities of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Hollywood to experience superior facial rejuvenation thanks to its reputation as a leader in facelift procedures in the United States.
What is a Facelift
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is performed to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and other signs of aging on the face and jaw. This task is accomplished by lifting and tightening the underlying muscles in the face. The result is a more youthful and contoured look. In addition to the work performed on the facial muscles, the surgeon also removes excess skin and fat that adds to an aged appearance.
Facelift Techniques
The surgeon has the option of multiple facelift techniques. They include:
- Full/Traditional Facelift – The surgeon addresses cheeks that sag as well as excess fat and skin and deep creases below the eyes. The facelift incision runs along the temple and then goes around the ear and down towards the neck. A traditional/full facelift might be suggested if a patient has obvious sagging and noticeable jowls. A traditional facelift approach aggressively addresses all concerns by removing excess skin, tightening the connective tissues and muscles in the face and neck and lifting and repositioning the skin. The incisions are hidden in the contour of the ear, around the earlobe and in the hairline. A small incision under the chin might be included if excess fatty tissue needs to be removed or if the muscle in the neck requires additional smoothing.
- Mid Facelift – The tissues below the eyes and around the cheeks are lifted and tightened. The incisions used here are also deeper than a traditional facelift in order to reach muscles that are not normally operated on during a traditional facelift.
- Mini Facelift – This procedure, normally performed using an endoscopic technique, treats the neck, jaw and lower cheeks. The incisions made during the surgery go along the hairline and behind the ear to allow the doctor to lift the muscles and remove fat and skin. If the primary concern is mild loss of muscle tone and skin elasticity along with a tired appearance, a mini facelift may be the appropriate procedure. This approach tightens and lifts the skin but includes limited or no work on the neck or musculature and is intended to address minimal signs of aging. Because the incisions are shorter than the ones in a standard facelift, this technique usually has a shorter recovery period. This approach is generally better suited for younger patients with minimal skin laxity.
- Lower Facelift – This technique focuses on the bottom third of the face in order to get rid of jowls. It also lifts the sagging corners of the mouth and enhances the look of the jaw. Any incisions run along the ears and the hairline.
- Thread Facelift – The surgeon makes tiny stitches, located below the skin, to lift the underlying muscles without producing visible scars.
Most Common Reasons People Get a Facelift
A facelift is a very popular cosmetic procedure and patients undergo the procedure for many different reasons. Below are some of the most common reasons patients opt for a Facelift:
- Loss of muscle tone and skin elasticity in the face and neck - The effects of well-structured facial muscles and elastic skin can't be overemphasized. Properly toned facial muscles go a long way in determining how firm and tight the face is. Individuals whose facial muscles have lost their firmness and elasticity go for a facelift to correct this issue as well as eliminate years off their appearance.
- Jowls and deep creases around the nose and mouth - Jowls and deep creases around the nose and mouth is also a leading reason why individuals want to undergo a facelift procedure. Jowls and creases are features associated with aging and are not desired which is why individuals who have them decide to have a facelift to get rid of them.
- Deep wrinkles of the neck and face - Another common reason why individuals undergo a facelift is due to deep wrinkles on the neck and the face. Deep wrinkles are not appreciated on any part of the body as they make the body look old and unattractive.
- Tired appearance - A lot of older patients who opt for a facelift undergo the procedure to look younger and more refreshed.
- Less defined chin and sagging neck - A less defined chin or a sagging neck is also another major reason why individuals opt for a facelift. A facelift is a very efficient way to tackle the problem and make the skin tighter and firmer in appearance.
Are Facial Exercises as Efficient as a Facelift
Facial exercises are increasing in popularity. Although there have been a lot of reports that consistently performing various facial exercises can "tone" and "tighten" the face, the results can't be compared to a facelift. Some reports claim that facial exercises are beneficial while other reports claim the opposite when it comes to the results. There have been questions raised about the efficiency of facial exercises because signs of skin aging like lines, wrinkles and sagging skin can actually be made worse by repetitive facial movements. In addition, no amount of facial exercise is going to be able to completely get rid of these common signs of aging. If these are the major concerns of a patient, a facelift is likely their best option.