Facelift

The Benefits of a Facelift

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

• Relaxation of the skin of the face causes sagging
• Deepening of the fold lines between the nose and corner of the mouth
• The fat that has fallen or has disappeared
• Jowls developing in the cheeks and jaw
• Loose skin and excess fat of the neck that can appear as a double chin or “turkey neck”

Types of Facelifts

3 Day Facelift

As we age, our skin will naturally lose its elasticity and muscle tone, along with a gradual loss of the fatty tissue under the surface of the skin. The effects of gravity and exposure to the sun can also leave your complexion looking much older than you really are. A combination of these factors can result in wrinkles and sagging skin.

Under the natural force of gravity, the skin loses elasticity as the eyebrows are pulled downwards, and loose skin is created around the jaws and cheeks. While we cannot stop the force of gravity or the inevitable aging process, GraceMed’s Dr. McLean’s Three Day Face Lift is an effective treatment option to restore a youthful appearance, maintaining a natural look that does not appear fake or overdone.

Scarless Facelift

An Endoscopic Facelift is a revolutionary procedure that can effectively treat some of the common signs of aging. Over the years, the skin on our necks and faces can loosen and begin to droop, mostly due to the effects of gravity, sunlight, and stress. When this happens, deep creases can appear in the skin around the nose and mouth, and the skin around the jawline can begin to sag. Fatty deposits and loose skin may also gather around the neck. Overall, the result is an older, less attractive appearance that many patients want to change.

The Endoscopic Facelift, is less invasive than other types of facelift surgery, resulting in significantly fewer visible scars, a quicker recovery, and fewer risks. An Endoscopic Facelift is often called a “scarless facelift” because, rather than using longer incisions in the skin of the face and neck, it involves only about two one-inch-long incisions in the skin. The incisions can usually be made above the hairline and inside the mouth, allowing them to remain virtually out of view.

Through one of the incisions, your GraceMed surgeon inserts a thin wand holding a tiny camera, which allows him to view the surgical area on a video monitor without having to pull back or remove as much skin. Small surgical instruments are then inserted through the other incisions and are used to remove excess fat and tissue beneath the skin while reshaping and toning the area. In order to lift the cheeks, an Endontine is used, this is a biodegradable product made of sugar that dissolves in a few months

Cutting-edge Endoscopic Facelift technology gives patients the option of regaining a refreshed, youthful, and firm appearance.

Standard Facelift

A standard facelift involves an incision that is made in front of the ear and runs under and around the earlobe to the hairline.  A standard face technique is usually employed for patients who have a significant amount of extra and lax skin.  The extended incision also allows access into the neck to help tighten the muscles and remove extra skin in this area as well.

MACS Facelift

A MACS Facelift (Minimal access cranial suspension) is a facelift technique in which the incision is limited to the front part of the ear only.  This technique can be combined with liposuction to the neck to aid with further contouring.

Mini Facelift or Micro Mini Lift

Mini or Micro lifts are less evasive than the traditional facelift. Less, anesthetic, shorter surgery, less scarring, and less downtime.  Dr. McLean is the leading Mississauga facelift surgeon who can apply this procedure when it is acceptable based on the patients’ age profile.

For patients with advanced aging around the face, jawline, and neck the mini/micro facelift is not a good choice. This procedure only addresses the mid-area of the face and will not improve draping, sagging, or harsh wrinkles in the brow. The mini/micro facelift is a great solution for patients with mild skin laxity in the central part of the face. This is a great solution with less downtime compared to a standard facelift.

How Do I Prepare For A Facelift?

Your facelift procedure will begin with a private consultation with a GraceMed surgeon where we get to know your needs and desired results. Due to the individualistic nature of a facelift, we make sure to listen to you to ensure we are understanding and can work with your ideal end results. This consultation will include a physical examination, where your surgeon will evaluate your skin, its bone structure, and will examine your medical history.

Your surgeon will spend as much time as you need to ensure your questions are being answered and will make sure that you are both on the same page with your end goals. Because it’s not always possible to meet your each and every desire with surgery, we encourage you to talk about your end goals with your surgeon, a leading cosmetic surgeon, so we can listen closely, let you know what to expect, and help you understand realistic outcomes of the facelift procedure.

Your surgeon will also inform you of best practices to prepare for your surgery in order to achieve the best results. This will include guidelines on what to eat, drink, and recommended vitamins or medications. We advise smokers to stop smoking for at least 1 month prior to surgery and for 1-month post-surgery, as smoking will decrease circulation and negatively impact the speed of the healing process.

Facelift Recovery

Please note that the results and the amount of time it takes to fully recover vary greatly among individuals.

After surgery, you will be asked to restrict your activities and simply relax for a few days.  Elevating your head when you sleep will help to minimize swelling and bruising.  Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you should not smoke or be exposed to heavy secondary smoke for a while.

Any bandages and drain tubes will usually be removed in one or two days.  At that time, you will notice puffiness and discolouration, which may be more pronounced in some portions of your face than others.  Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry caused by the variance in swelling and bruising, which is perfectly normal.  Generally, the greatest amount of swelling occurs 24 – 48 hours after surgery, but it may take several weeks before all puffiness is resolved.  Most bruising will disappear within two weeks.  After a few days, you will be permitted to wear makeup, which will help conceal any discolouration.  You will also experience some numbness in the facial area, which may be present for several weeks or longer.  Your stitches will be removed four to seven days after surgery.

What Results Can I Expect From A Facelift?

The facelift procedure at GraceMed was specially designed to provide you with a youthful, fresh appearance while looking natural and not at all overdone. GraceMed surgeons are known for their astoundingly natural-looking facelift results. If you are suffering from the loss of elasticity and volume in the skin, which can result in deep folds, fine lines, and shadows that can make us look a lot older than we really are, a facelift is often the right choice when addressing these advanced aging signs. You will be given excellent, long-lasting results for both men and women alike.

You may want to enhance the benefits of a facelift by adding a brow (forehead) lift or eyelid surgery. These procedures can dramatically improve areas not treated by a facelift. While surgery can lift sags and smooth bulges, it does not treat the quality of the skin. A GraceMed medical aesthetician can prescribe a program to improve skin health and appearance. This could involve such things as lasers or medical-grade skincare.

Facelifts are a fantastic way to reverse the signs of aging, however, the procedure is not permanent and you will continue to naturally age and show aging signs as time progresses. Results should last between 5 to 10 years and the procedure can be repeated as our patients do continue to look younger than if they had never received the surgery in the first place.

Treatment Overview

Objective: Correct the signs of facial aging.
Anaesthesia: Local with sedation or general
Procedure duration: 1.5 to 5 hours
Pain level: 4.5/10
Recovery time: 10 to 15 days
Resumption of physical activities: 4 weeks

A Facelift is Offered At These GraceMed Clinics:

• Book a facelift procedure in Mississauga 
• Book a facelift procedure in North York
• Book a facelift procedure in Briarwood Oakville
• Book a facelift procedure in Burlington

Generally, most people who have this procedure are extremely happy – A facelift has a 95% “Worth It” rating on RealSelf.