Facelift: Stop the moments of youth

Maybe no one wants to say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue over time: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, preserve youth and naturalness at the same time. But can someone be trusted in their face without fear?

What is facelift for?

As you age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalances, slowing of metabolic processes, decreased collagen production, changes in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat packs in some places, and their appearance elsewhere. undesirable and so on. As a result, facial tissues lose their volume and elasticity, leaving the skin flabby and loose.

No matter how good care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures are used, time will make an impact: all these foundations can only affect the surface layers of the skin. Even if it turns out to delay the appearance of surface wrinkles for a long time, the above cannot stop or completely reverse the processes that occur in deep tissues.

For a commentThe advent of modern techniques has allowed surgical tightening services to reaffirm their position. According to the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), today Hungary is in the TOP 15 countries in the world in terms of the number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market reached record sales in the past five years, growing by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine is constantly increasing. The third most popular plastic surgery is facial surgery.

Aswitnessin the case of facelift, ptosis appears first. This is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face due to the gradual loss of elasticity and tone of the skin and a deterioration in the ability of the muscle to contract. Ptosis can dominate a certain part of the face:

• in the lower third of the face- ptosis (falling) of the tissues of the neck and chin in the background of relaxation and growth of the skin area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases on the neck and smooths out a clean chin-neck angle;
• in the middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, light nose furrows, bags under the eyes and sagging cheeks that distort the oval of the face;
• in the upper third of the face- sagging of the forehead, sagging of the outer edges and corners of the eyebrows, protrusion of the eyelids, formation of horizontal wrinkles in the bridge of the nose.

These signs of tissue aging can be compensated for by a variety of techniques in facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology. However, when it comes to surgery, it’s important not to forget the other side of the coin - the contraindications.

Contraindications:

• malignant tumors;
• violation of blood clotting;
• epilepsy and severe psychosomatic illnesses;
• untreated high blood pressure;
• diseases of the internal organs;
• dermatological diseases;
• chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage;
• pregnancy;
• inflammatory and infectious processes.

For a comment

Aging, although not very pleasant, is a natural process in which the natural anthropometric proportions of the face must be preserved, despite the fact that it is accompanied by the appearance of gravitational ptosis, i. e. the physiological loss of tissue volume and the development of facial formation. skin folds and wrinkles. Therefore, from the beginning of the degenerative process of tissues, it is better to choose finer exposure methods that do not have a pronounced effect on the "tuned" face.

Aesthetic and restorative surgery, of course, has come a long way in development, and its potential is enormous today. However, you need to know that there is a possibility of complications after plastic surgery - surgeons are well aware of these and know how to minimize side effects. However, some complications can be protracted and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.

Here’s an overview of what’s currently the most popular facial lifting methods - allowing you to get an idea of the "arsenal" of modern clinics in aesthetic surgery and cosmetology.

Types of braces

Today, plastic surgeons can perform facelift procedures to suit all tastes because the possibilities of modern medicine allow it. Each technique has its proponents among both physicians and patients. Let’s take a closer look at how these techniques differ.

Surgical methods of facelift

These techniques allow the deep tissues of the face to be machined so they can have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are endoscopic facelift and SMAS-lifting - a comprehensive solution to age-related problems. With their help, the soft parts of the face are redistributed and the skin is tightened.

Circular facelift (complex face and neck correction) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation that includes the possibility of several techniques.

• Indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, large amounts of loose excess tissue, deep wrinkles and other age-related changes.
• Contraindications: cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and other systems, as well as liver and kidney diseases, haematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, pregnancy and lactation - laboratory tests and instrumental studies are required to identify contraindications, consult a number of specialists. . .
• Injury: tall. This is a full-fledged operation, so you should be aware of the severity of the upcoming intervention when choosing a technique.
• Execution: Long incisions are made with circular scalpel lifting, followed by deep tissue modeling, transposition of fat sacs, and excision of excess skin. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This is followed by a hospital stay of at least one month (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period.
• Result- the most pronounced and longest lasting compared to all other techniques. Possible complications include damage to the scars, facial nerve and branches, and extensive hematomas.
• profik: the most effective procedure for facial plastic surgery with an excessive amount of tissue, correcting imperfections that cannot be dealt with by other methods.
• Cons: major trauma, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.

Endoscopic facelift -progressive type surgery for in-depth correction of age-related changes using video endoscopic equipment. As you can see, this method uses an endoscope with a multi-millimeter video camera that transmits a magnified image to the monitor. This way, the doctor can clearly see the work area with the bundles and blood vessels in it. Endoscopic face and neck lifting is performed under general anesthesia. Its variants are endoscopic lifting of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each operation is applied depending on which part of the face is to be treated. It is also possible to work with separate zones and combine several types of interventions. With endoscopic facelift, the blood vessels are slightly damaged, complete control of the surgery is achieved, and if all rules and recommendations are followed, the risk of serious complications is virtually ruled out. Swelling of the tissues, small bruises, and temporary hair loss in the area of the procedure are possible, but over time, the tissues recover completely.

• Indications: deep wrinkles and creases, consequences of soft tissue sagging, lack of tissue volume due to age-related lesions, drooping eyelids, drooping eyebrows and other aesthetic problems.
• Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases in the acute stage, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, coagulation disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
• Injury: medium. The device allows you to avoid large incisions and control the location of blood vessels and nerves.
• Conduct of the procedure: under general anesthesia, small incisions (up to 1. 5 cm), followed by deep detachment of the face mask and control of the video endoscopic device, tissue manipulation: dissection, tensioning and fixation of the muscles and fat wraps. In the end, cosmetic stitches are applied. The sutures are removed within five to seven days, and the patient can return to their normal lifestyle in two to three weeks.
• Result: the patient appears 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, the volumes are recharged, but the natural symmetry is maintained. The duration of the effect depends on individual characteristics, bad habits, and behavioral stereotypes, but usually the result can take up to 20 years. When we talk about the possible negative consequences, everything is limited to swellings and small bruises.
• Proshigh safety and low level of trauma, possibility of full control with a video camera, no visible traces of surgery, pronounced rejuvenating effect.
• Cons: in the early rehabilitation period, the effect of overcorrection is observed, the technique is not suitable for patients with very large excess skin.

SMAS lifting- an effective method of surgical tightening by modeling the muscle-aponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that the aging process of the middle and lower thirds of the face is primarily related to this layer.

• Indications: signs of aging in loss of skin sagging and elasticity in the form of wrinkles, blurred facial contours.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, coagulation disorders, pregnancy.
• Conduct of the procedure: during the operation, after the excess is excised, the skin is tightened, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The surgery takes several hours, after which a recovery period of about a month is required.
• Resultdurable, lasting up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic lifting. Possible complications include nerve damage, hematomas, and edema.
• profikmethods: noticeable lifting effect, removal of excess skin.
• Cons: risk of complications, presence of scars around the earlobe (in front of and behind the ear).

Non-surgical skin tightening

This is a group of techniques that allow the lifting effect to be achieved without significant damage to the skin. Such approaches have become popular with the possibility of performing facelift without surgery, i. e. in a more gentle way with minimal rehabilitation time. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of the effect.

Hardware cosmetologyincludes techniques that apply an ultrasonic, radio wave, or laser lifting effect to tissues without compromising their integrity.

• Indications: wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and clean contour.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, pregnancy.
• Injury: missing or almost missing.
• Execution: during the procedure the effect on the problem area is performed with special devices, In this case there is no need for general anesthesia and a long rehabilitation period. The patient can return to their business immediately, just follow the doctor’s recommendations. Some procedures require a few times, while others require a procedure.
• Result: restores firmness and turgor, smoothes wrinkles, stimulates natural collagen and elastin production. The result is less durable than after surgical tightening and strongly depends both on the characteristics of the patient's body and directly on the characteristics of the technique chosen. The effect usually lasts for two to three years.
• profik- visible effect without trauma, lack of painful feelings and long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
• Cons- the inability to eliminate many of the pronounced problems of aging, the less noticeable and lasting result, the need to repeat the course of treatment.

Injections -introduction of hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin-based fillers to combat age-related changes.

• Indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
• Contraindications: severe chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage, skin diseases, violation of skin integrity, coagulation disorders, individual drug intolerance, pregnancy and lactation.
• Injury: The contour plastic procedure is considered less traumatic, but there is a risk of needle and nerve damage to the needle.
• Execution: The procedure usually takes less than an hour. Only application anesthesia should be used, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of filler, you can eliminate nasal light furrows, nasolabial folds, and correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is only injected into the muscles - to relieve hypertension and then to smooth out wrinkles. Also in this way, it is entirely possible to "lift" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to their usual business and perform them following the doctor’s recommendations.
• Result: the procedures allow the volume to be filled and the wrinkles to disappear, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of medication. The effect can last up to three-from six months to a year or a year and a half.
• profik: low trauma, possibility to correct the result if it is not satisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and general anesthesia.
• Cons: short-term result, need for repetition, only visual elimination of surface imperfections.

The price of facial rejuvenation procedures: can't you buy youth?

When choosing a clinic, it is worth noting the well-known phrase, "You get what you pay for. " Any type of facelift requires a procedure that requires state-of-the-art equipment, high-quality medications, and anesthesia to provide special living conditions for the patient. . If the price of such a service is suspiciously low, it means that some (or all) of these points are not respected and the clinic may not have permission at all. But the beauty and health of facial skin cannot be spared. The public knows a lot of stories about patients who once decided to save and are later forced to spend much larger sums not only to remedy the aesthetic consequences of a failed surgery, but also to restore their health.

On average, the cost of deep surgical facelift for two areas of the face starts from a rather impressive amount, if you have to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, you have to spend even more. The exact cost can only be found out at the consultation, as the extent of the intervention depends on the individual capabilities of the patient. We talk about age, skin quality, the amount of unwanted tissue, the type of facial texture, and the wishes of the person themselves and much more.

The hardware (ultrasonic) SMAS facelift is not very cheap, the price is greatly influenced by the number of lines. The cost of contouring with excipients depends on the drug and the amount of administration required.

Technologies enabling the return of young people are constantly being developed, expanding the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to eliminate almost all manifestations of age-related changes, and after the introduction of endoscopic technology, it has become possible to minimize the trauma of surgery. So the use of modern tools, an individual approach and the application of advanced techniques are all that those who want to rejuvenate can expect.

Where can I apply?

Recommendations for the selection of an aesthetic medical center and a specialist are given by an expert plastic surgeon:

"Since plastic surgery and cosmetology became very popular, a large number of specialty clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet the high standards of health services and employ unscrupulous professionals. Not only are such clinics not interested in solving a patient’s problem successfully, they simply do not have the resources to work to a high standard.

In order to find a high-quality doctor and a comfortable clinic, you need to learn as much information as possible about the professionals and the institution itself. First of all, do not hesitate to apply for a license to practice medicine, certificates, medical diplomas. . . Moreover, all these documents should be made publicly available on the site. The license must reflect compliance with the requirements of the procedure for the provision of medical care in the "Plastic Surgery" profile approved by a decree of the Ministry of Health. to obtain quality equipment, whether the health care facility has experience in performing the necessary procedures, and photos of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the facility has been in operation for more than a year: if the clinic has a long history, this suggests that patients (andregulatory authorities) have already established a relationship of trust with the healthcare institution.

An important selection criterion is the wide range of services and the integrated approach to solving a patient’s aesthetic problems in one place: from diagnostic procedures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.