About Facelifts
Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon offers facelift surgery for men and women who have sagging skin, jowls and an unattractive neckline from aging. With a surgical facelift, or rhytidectomy, these cosmetic issues can be addressed by tightening the skin and underlying muscles of the face. The results will produce a smoother and younger-looking profile that will shave off years of aging. A facelift is also often combined with a neck lift, eyelid rejuvenation surgery, forehead lifts and fat grafting to achieve optimal results. Call Solomon Plastic Surgery in Frisco, TX to schedule an appointment today.
Ideal Candidates
Patients with facial aging manifesting as jowls, a flattened and descended mid-face, loose skin, and fat deposits under the chin are good candidates for a face and neck lift procedure. The best candidates have good underlying bone structure and are healthy without significant medical problems.
Procedure Techniques: Deep plane facelift
What defines a good facelift? Unfortunately, there is so much misinformation online that leaves prospective patients confused and misled.
The goal of a facelift is to restore a youthful look without the pulled appearance. The face is divided into upper face/forehead, midface, lower face and neck. The forehead cannot be corrected with facelift; a forehead /brow lift is required, and this can be done at the same time as a face lift. A face/neck lift should ideally correct the midface, lower face and neck.
Many patients have concerns about looking unnatural as they see so many media personalities and celebrities with a pulled appearance after a facelift. This is because most facelift techniques involve placing the tension on the skin without releasing the tethering points of the underlying muscle (SMAS) layer. Besides, traditional facelifts only address the lower face and do not elevate the sagging midface, thereby creating an imbalance between the mid and lower face. This is why facelifts often look pulled; because the lower face is lifted while the midface is not.
However, a Deep Plane Facelift can lift the midface and lower face harmoniously as one unit. Dr. Solomon does a deep plane facelift that elevates both the midface and lower face in harmony without producing the unnatural stretched or pulled appearance. In the deep plane technique, dissection is done just below the facial muscular layer (SMAS layer) with release of all the midface tethering points. The entire SMAS is then lifted and shifted in an upward direction and re-anchored in a rejuvenated position. The skin is left attached to this underlying muscular layer with all the tension on the SMAS layer. This avoids the pulled appearance and naturally rejuvenates the mid and lower face. Besides, the results are longer lasting.
Other changes with the aging face include loss of facial fat and skin texture changes. For best results, correction often involves facial fat grafting and resurfacing using a laser or deep chemical peel in addition to a deep plane facelift.
Here are some other important aspects of Dr Solomon’s facelift technique.
Ear Lobe Preservation
Avoiding Pixie Ear: One of the signs of a well-done facelift is that the ear lobes remain in their natural position. Distortion of the ear lobes, or a “pixie ear,” occurs when the earlobe is pulled forward, giving an unnatural and sometimes artificial look. This can be avoided with careful surgical technique and attention to the natural contours of the ear.
Tragus Preservation
Unaltered Tragus: The tragus which is a small cartilaginous prominence in front of the ear canal, should remain unaltered. In some facelifts, especially those where attention to detail was absent, the tragus can become distorted or “chopped off” This final look of the tragus after facelift is a clear indicator of the skill of a surgeon.
Scar Placement and Visibility
Scar Concealment: Scars from a facelift should be discreet and well-hidden. Ideally, they should be placed along the hairline and in natural creases around the ear, making them nearly invisible even with the hair pulled back. Proper surgical technique ensures that scars are minimal and blend seamlessly with the surrounding skin.
Understanding these key aspects can help prospective patients make informed decisions and choose a skilled surgeon who adheres to high standards of cosmetic surgery.
What to Expect
Most patients who undergo a facelift will be discharged several hours after surgery. When additional procedures like eyelid surgery and fat grafting is combined, some patients elect to stay overnight. Drains will be placed after surgery and will need to stay for 3 – 5 days. Patients will need to be careful when putting on clothes or taking a shower to not bump the treatment area as it will be tender, but showering can resume 24 hours after surgery. Bruising and swelling are expected after this procedure and can last 2 – 3 weeks. Typically by the second week, most patients can apply makeup to cover up any residual bruising. Optimal results may take 3 – 4 months.
Other Considerations
When undergoing a facelift, it’s important to have realistic expectations. No facelift is possible without a scar, but Dr. Solomon will utilize his expert skill to place the scars in such a location that it is not visible. A facelift will also not address volume loss — injectable fillers or a fat transfer can be used to fill in lean areas. Although most patients will appear about 10 years plus younger, a facelift will not stop the normal aging process.
Youthful Contour
If you are interested in learning more about a surgical facelift, call Solomon Plastic Surgery in Frisco, TX today. We will be happy to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience to discuss all the benefits of this procedure and how it can create that youthful contour you desire.
Your Consultation with Dr. Solomon
During your consultation, Dr. Solomon will talk with you about your expectations, whether you are a good candidate for a facelift, and what to expect during and after surgery. Contact Dr. Solomon’s office today to schedule your consultation.
For More Information Contact Us
For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in Offices in Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon by clicking here or calling 214-234-0277.
Serving patients in Highland park, University Park, Preston Hollow, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Southlake, Denton, Irving, Flower mound, Little Elm, Fort Worth, Texas and surrounding areas.
