What Is a Facelift, Exactly?

Since we only see the outer effects of a facelift, many people have the misconception that the procedure just lifts and tightens the skin. While this is partially correct, facelift surgery actually involves intricate adjusting of the underlying facial muscles. For this reason, only experienced facial plastic surgeons should perform your facelift.

Why Do Muscles Matter?

Cosmetic issues like wrinkles and fine lines are only skin deep. Wrinkles develop from the loss of collagen in the skin and can typically be corrected through anti-wrinkle injectables. However, more extensive skin issues like facial sagging are caused by the weakening of the underlying muscle structure. As the muscles weaken, gravity pulls them and the skin tissue downward.This is what creates the appearance of facial drooping.

Correcting Sagging

Simply removing excess skin won’t correct facial sagging. To achieve lasting facelift results, the underlying muscular structure must be repositioned. In order to do this, incisions are made along the hairline so that any resulting scarring can be easily hidden. The extent of the incision ultimately depends on the amount of correction needed. Once the incisions are made, the skin is separated from the underlying muscles, and the muscles and deep tissues are lifted and repositioned. They are then sutured into place. Excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is draped over the new muscle placement. The incisions are then closed.

Don’t Create “Tight” Skin

It is important to remember that while you want your skin to appear firm and smooth, you don’t want it to be tight. An experienced facial plastic surgeon knows to remove only enough skin to eliminate the appearance of facial sagging. Taking too much tissue and stretching the skin tight will lead to an unnatural facial appearance. The goal of any surgery is to achieve results that look natural rather than like surgical alterations.

Choosing a Surgeon

When choosing a facial plastic surgeon, experience matters. Dr Jack Zoumaras is one such surgeon with over 14 years of experience. He has completed extensive fellowships and training in Sydney, New York, and Paris and has trained under the most qualified plastic surgeons in the field. He is a member of several professional societies, including the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and he is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. Dr Zoumaras specializes in facial plastic surgery and considers his work to be “the art of enhancing beauty.”

If you are interested in undergoing facelift surgery or another facial plastic surgery, schedule your consultation with Dr Zoumaras today! Call our office at 02 9327 1700 or fill out our online contact form here for more information.

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons.

Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence:

Level V:  How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery.

The blogs are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.