You can fight signs of aging for many years with non-surgical treatments, but time and collagen loss eventually take their toll. A facelift may be the next step if you have significant sagging or loose skin. This procedure treats even the most noticeable signs of aging and leaves only a few small, hidden scars.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift addresses lines, wrinkles, and loose skin. Dr. Leong focuses on the superficial musculoaponeurotic system or SMAS, the underlying layers of muscles, and other support structures.
Restoring this layer to its youthful position gives the face a firmer, more contoured appearance. It also looks much more natural than facelifts that only tighten the skin and create an “overdone” appearance.
What Do Facelift Scars Look Like?
Dr. Leong skillfully hides facelift scars to make them almost impossible to see. Depending on the type of facelift, you may have incisions within your hairline and around your ears.
Advanced facelift techniques eliminate the need for large incisions. Scars may be slightly noticeable for a few months following surgery. They will fade until you can barely see them. Because of their location, most people will never notice that you have any scars at all.
What Types of Facelift Surgeries are Available?
Dr. Leong offers a range of facelift procedures so you can choose the right one for your needs. Each face ages differently, so you may have more concerns about your mid-face area, while someone else might have more concerns with jowls and lower-face sagging.
Full Facelift
This powerful anti-aging procedure addresses advanced signs of aging, including loose skin and deep wrinkles. It uses incisions around the ear and into the hairline around the temples. While many people think they need a full facelift, they can often see the results they want with a different procedure.
Mid-Facelift
This procedure focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, especially the cheekbones and upper jaw area. It can restore your facial contours and correct mid-face hollowness.
Lower Facelift
This procedure addresses the neck, chin, and jowls for a more sculpted lower face. It eliminates the appearance of sagging jowls and loose skin around the neck.
Mini Facelift
This procedure uses small incisions around the ears to address the area around the mouth and jawline. It provides natural-looking results with minimal scarring.
Xact Facelift
This is a minimally invasive technique that allows Dr. Leong to lift the mid-face through a small 2cm incision hidden in the hair. It can also be used to treat the jowls and neck in appropriate patients.
What is Recovery Like After a Facelift?
Your recovery time will depend on the type of facelift, among other factors. Soreness and swelling improve dramatically after the first few days, and most people do not need any medication stronger than Tylenol.
You should look and feel like yourself after about two weeks. Dr. Leong will follow up with you throughout your recovery to ensure optimal healing.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Good candidates for a facelift want to address moderate to severe signs of aging. Ideal candidates are in good health and do not smoke. Dr. Leong will assess your facial concerns and determine which type of facelift will work best for achieving your desired results. Her goal is to help you achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated, but completely natural appearance.
Take the Next Step
To make an appointment with Dr. Karen Leong, call us at (949) 844-8999 or fill out the consultation form below.