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Facelift Guide

Ennis Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida

Updated: June 17, 2022

A facelift is a surgical procedure that is meant to improve the look of the mid to lower face. The surgery is designed to lift the skin and the muscles in order to restore a more rejuvenated and refreshed appearance. The ideal candidate for a facelift is a person that is in relatively good health who is looking to restore their appearance and self-confidence.

If you’ve tried every anti-aging cream on the market and you still can’t make a difference, it may be time to consider one of the many surgical or non-surgical restorative facelift. Here’s what you need to know to get a natural, well-rested face all while avoiding the overdone, over-pulled look!

Although aging is something we all expect to happen, it can still feel like a pretty big betrayal when we start to notice those first inevitable creases. Aging isn’t the only reason you might be noticing a difference in your appearance. Stress, diet, gravity and genetics also play a role in how you age and when it starts to happen. If you’ve noticed some drooping around your jawline or if everyone keeps commenting on how tired you look, it may be time to take action against those forces that are causing you to look a little less like your energetic self.

If you’ve tried every anti-aging cream on the market and you still can’t make a difference, it may be time to consider one of the many surgical or non-surgical restorative facelift. Here’s what you need to know to get a natural, well-rested face all while avoiding the overdone, over-pulled look!

About the Face?

So what is a facelift and why is it a great option to explore? There are many procedures that fall under the envelope of a facelift surgery. In general, there are two broad categories of facelift procedures: surgical and non-surgical.

Non-surgical procedures such as Botox, laser treatments, chemical peels and fillers typically work on the quality of the skin. These techniques do help refresh and rejuvenate your skin area and reduce wrinkles giving you an all-over youthful appearance. These procedures are typically same day and have minimal bruising or downtime.

Surgical facelift procedures address more of the structural problems in the face, meaning the muscles and ligaments found underneath the skin. To get an optimal look, you’ll want a procedure that combines both.

The 411 on Facelifts

Your face is actually divided into three separate parts. The top third of the face includes that brow and upper lids. The middle third of the face contains the lower lids and cheek pads. The bottom third of the face is the neck and jawline. An actual facelift is a surgical procedure that’s meant to improve the look of the jawline, neck and third of the face. The surgery is designed to lift the skin and the muscles in order to restore a more rejuvenated and refreshed appearance.

The Ennis Plastic Surgery team would love to talk to you about whether or not you’re a candidate for surgery. Call 561-220-7026 for a direct consultation with our team.

Understanding Facial Plastic Surgery

Is it really time for a facelift?

As you age, the muscles and skin on the cheeks, neck and jawline can begin to lose elasticity, tone and structure. This loss of structure leads to a face that appears tired, unhealthy, and droopy. Many people mistake the aging process as only a skin problem, but the underlying issue is really that the muscle and ligaments which are the structure support of the face have become tired. As these muscles and ligaments droop, the skin follows them down causing you to look tired or old. Your skin may even look sullen and loose but again, the underlying issue is that the muscles are loose. While heredity plays a major role, visible aging is accelerated by smoking, sun damage, pollution, weight loss and major life events such as pregnancy or illness.

How does a facelift work?

Facelift surgery is the only cosmetic option that tightens underlying muscles, removes excess fat, and redrapes the skin of your neck and face. If you’ve ever seen someone that has a face that looks pulled, then you’re looking at someone who had the skin of the face tightened but not the underlying muscles and ligaments. It is imperative that during your facelift, you tighten the structural support of the face underneath as well. Otherwise, the skin on your face is very elastic and will stretch back out and look droopy again within 6 months. To get a natural, younger looking skin that lasts, you must treat the whole face and everything underneath.

Can I combine procedures to get the most out of my facelift?

Absolutely! To get the most optimal look after surgery, you will definitely want to think about maximizing the results by having a few techniques performed at one time. For example, a facelift alone can lift and contour the lower face. However, it will not address forehead creases, wrinkles, sagging eyelids or uneven skin tone. A facelift is often combined with a brow lift, eyelid surgery and/or a chemical peel to tighten the fine lines and improve the overall appearance of the skin. The best results are typically seen when a combination of procedures are used to achieve an optimal result.

When a facelift is performed in complement with other facial surgeries or other energy-based services, such as chemical peels or lasers, maximum cosmetic results can be achieved. The facelift will tighten and tone the jawline, while a brow lift can smooth the forehead, and a blepharoplasty will lift sagging eyelids. It’s really the best of both worlds!

Or, you may combine a facelift with skin resurfacing in order to improve the tone and texture of your face. Dr Ennis and his team have the greatest wealth of knowledge in regards to which procedure will meet your desired results and they’ll tailor a plan to optimize your individual results. Often it’s a combination of procedures that delivers the most natural results because your surgeon can effectively address the individual facial features with subtle precision. Dr Ennis, as a congressionally awarded artist, will use his artistic background to guide you through this process and recommend the best options for you!

Choosing to have your surgery in conjunction with another procedure, like a chemical peel, can affect your recovery time. By combining multiple procedures, your recovery time can be shortened and condensed.

What to Expect from Facelift Surgery

Depending on what type of facelift procedure you have, and if you have any additional procedures, your surgery time may vary. You will be given anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety during the surgical procedure. After your surgery is completed, the surgeon will apply a dressing around your face, to reduce swelling and bruising. You may have small drain tubes in place overnight, with the purpose of removing any excess fluid accumulation and minimizing any swelling. The drain tubes will be removed the following morning.

After undergoing a facelift surgery, you may have mild to moderate discomfort for a few of days. You will be given pain medication to minimize your discomfort. Your face will swell over the first couple of days, but as healing progresses, your swelling will subside. You can expect some facial bruising as well but it’s only a sign that your body is healing. Your new, youthful face will be revealed in a short amount of time.

You will follow up with your surgeon the day after your procedure to ensure proper healing and review any further aftercare instructions. You should sleep with your head elevated and avoid head down positions for the first couple of weeks, in order to promote healing and reduce swelling.

Do you still have questions concerning how a facelift works? If so, call Ennis Plastic Surgery at 561-220-7026 to book an in person or virtual consultation. We’re also available to answer any questions you may have.

Women who choose to have a breast lift with augmentation will have the opportunity to “try on” breast implant sizes using the Vectra 3D imaging system. This advanced technology gives the patient a realistic idea of expected outcomes after a breast augmentation procedure.

It is recommended that women wait to undergo a breast lift until they are done having children. Although a breast lift will not negatively impact a woman’s ability to get pregnant, pregnancy will likely stretch the breasts again and can undo the results of the breast lift procedure.

Types of Facelift Procedures

1. Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift incision starts in the hairline, around the area of the temples. It continues around the ear and ends in the lower part of the scalp. Dr. Ennis sculpts and redistributes fat, tightens underlying muscles and repositions soft tissues in order to achieve a more sculpted lower face and neck.

Then the skin is redraped over the newly shaped contours and any excess skin is removed. The surgeon secures the skin and soft tissues along the original incision. The classic facelift is an excellent option for individuals who are looking for the most comprehensive tightening.

In addition to the traditional facelift, Ennis Plastic Surgery offers several different facelift procedures. You may wish to discuss these options with your plastic surgeon to determine which facelift procedure will yield the results you desire.

2. Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift incision starts in the hairline, around the area of the temples. It continues around the ear and ends behind the ear. Dr. Ennis sculpts and redistributes fat, tightens underlying muscles and repositions soft tissues in order to achieve a more sculpted younger looking lower face and neck without looking pulled!

Then the skin is redraped over the newly shaped contours and any excess skin is removed. The surgeon secures the skin and soft tissues along the original incision. The classic facelift is an excellent option for individuals who are looking for the most comprehensive tightening that will last for years.

3. Mini Facelift

The Mini Facelift is also known as a Short Scar Face Lift, or an S Lift. This procedure works to tighten the skin and soft tissues of your face. Similar to a full face lift, this procedure repositions the skin and tightens underlying tissues. However, it utilizes a slightly different technique that minimizes scarring, yet still gives you a natural, more youthful appearance. Regardless of whether it is a traditional or deep plane facelift or a mini lift, the muscles must be tightened to get the proper result. Whether you are 30 or 80, if you are seeing your face age, it is a muscle problem. The only way to fix this is by tightening the muscle and structural part of the face. Don’t be fooled or bedazzled by fancy terms such as the lunch time lift or lifestyle lift, which claim to have no down time. These procedures clearly do not address the underlying issue which is the muscles and ligaments or the structure aspect of the face. If these are not tightened, the results will not last!

Video: Facelift vs. Mini-Facelift

The mini-facelift (even though it is a “mini”) still relies on sutures placed in the deeper layers of the face to lift the soft tissue, which achieves a long-lasting lift. Then the skin is redraped and excess skin is removed. Most patients can return to work or begin engaging in social activities within a week of surgery. During a mini-facelift, there are fewer sutures than a traditional facelift and the incisions are well hidden, making them nearly impossible to detect.

4. Middle or Mid Facelift

A Mid Facelift focuses on lifting sagging cheeks and smoothing out the skin on your face. As opposed to a traditional facelift procedure that targets all areas of the face and neck, the Mid Facelift procedure targets sagging cheekbones and the area around the eyes. By restoring fullness to these areas, you’ll look much younger. If you’re showing early signs of aging but don’t need a full facelift procedure, the Mid Facelift restores lift and volume for a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.

You may choose to combine the middle or mid facelift with a brow lift or eyelid surgery that brightens the eyes giving a naturally youthful complement to the mid facelift. The incisions are all hidden in the temple and the inner mouth and typically requires a few weeks of recovery time to fully recover.

5. Temporal Lift / Brow Lift (Endoscopic Brow Lift)

The Temporal Lift, sometimes known as an Upper Facelift or Brow Lift, moves the facial tissues diagonally outward and upward toward the upper quadrants of the face. It can improve folds and small wrinkles in the forehead and between the brows, and also smooth the appearance of crow’s feet around the eyes.

Another benefit of this lift is that it provides a chiseled look to cheekbones along with an overall refreshed and revitalized look to the entire face.

This procedure was traditionally done through a large incision across the entire forehead which made the brow look very surprised. The brow lift or temporal lift is now done using four small incisions in the hairline using tiny high-definition cameras to look inside and gently elevate the brow so it appears more youthful and less tired and not surprised!

6. Neck Lift

A Neck Lift, which is really synonymous with a facelift or mini facelift, provides a shapely and toned jawline and neck, whether the procedure is done alone or in combination with other procedures. By removing excess and sagging skin and tightening underlying tissues, this procedure can reverse the effects of gravity and restore you to a younger looking side profile.

The Ennis Plastic Surgery Difference

Dr. Ennis has always had skilled hands. As an artist whose talents were recognized by the United States Congress when he won the 1st Congressional Art Show while just a high school student, Dr Ennis’ art hung in the capital building in Washington D.C. for a full year. Even as a youth, Dr. Ennis knew he would use his many gifts to craft beautiful creations. Today, he uses those same skills to ensure your surgical procedures are nothing less than a masterful work of art. As an international authority in the field of facial plastic surgery, he is known for his exquisite surgical skill, as well as, his compassion and dedication to each client. Dr. Ennis is highly-renowned and has been named one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, one of the Ten Best plastic Surgeons in Florida based on patient reviews and Realself’s Top 100 cosmetic surgeons in the Country

From your consultation alone, you’ll immediately feel the Ennis Plastic Surgery difference. At Ennis Plastic Surgery, you can be confident about your facelift procedure, especially in the hands of a renowned plastic surgeon with skills that deliver the most natural results.

We would love to talk to you about the benefits a facelift can have for your life. If you are interested in discussing how a facelift can reshape your physical appearance, please contact us to set up a consultation. If you are interested in discussing how a facelift can impact your physical appearance, please contact us to set up a consultation.