What are the Various Types of Facelift Procedures? Which Facelift is Right for You?

Life’s too short not to feel great!

Not being happy with your looks can zap your energy and confidence. Don’t be held back.

You deserve to look and feel your best!

If you are experiencing noticeably aging effects and natural remedies are helpless, perhaps it’s time to consider getting facelift surgery in Chicago.

Facelift and surgical facial rejuvenation procedures are among the most renowned anti-aging remedies in the US, especially among middle-aged adults trying to reverse the effects of aging.    

Over time, the skin loses its natural elasticity as the collagen production slows down or even stops altogether. When this happens, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and dark spots can appear on your face.

Fortunately, there are numerous facelifts that include both surgical and non-surgical options that can help you regain your natural youthful look.

If you have been unhappy with the aged look of your face and would like to make positive changes in your life, then a facelift procedure may be the right choice for you!

As we age in different ways and at different rates, Dr. Dhaval Patel-best facelift surgeon in Chicago offers various types of facelift procedures, including surgical and non-surgical options. Based on your needs for facial rejuvenation, one of the following facelift procedures can possibly help you attain a more rested and youthful appearance.

Categories of Facelifts

Like other facial plastic surgery procedures, a facelift falls into two categories: surgical and non-surgical.

It is up to the patient and their surgeon to decide which option is right on an individual basis. For personal or medical reasons, some patients may feel more comfortable opting for a non-surgical facelift, while others may be perfectly comfortable with a surgical facelift. Ultimately, this is something you should discuss with your facial plastic surgeon during your first consultation. You can opt for Chicago Institute of Plastic Surgery Clinic in Chicago for facial plastic surgery consultation.

The key is to be honest about what your goals for this program are and what you hope to achieve. Based on this and a thorough analysis of your facial structure, your facial plastic surgeon will explain the best options for you.

However, before trusting a specific facial plastic surgeon, it's in your best interest to be sure to get more opinions. Remember that cosmetic surgery is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and moreover plastic surgeons in Chicago often specialize in specific areas.

Types of Facelift Procedures

If you are considering undergoing a facelift treatment, there are various types of facelifts that you have to know about. Just remember that each type of facelift targets a different portion of the facial structure.

Facial rejuvenation is a well-accepted segment of cosmetic surgery. Over the past decade, a great deal of research has been done to improve methods and techniques for eliminating the signs of facial aging. Today, in addition to traditional cosmetic procedures, plastic surgeons have access to a variety of treatment options to help their patients achieve a more youthful appearance.

1. Traditional Facelift

Traditional facelift surgery is an appropriate procedure for patients seeking optimal correction of moderate to severe facial aging. Incisions are made around the ears and hairline, as well as a small incision under the chin.

The skin is separated from the underlying muscles, which allows you to strengthen the muscles of the face and neck. Muscle bands at the front of the neck are stitched together and separated to provide a smooth contour and a defined cut. Excess fat on the neck and cheeks is removed as needed and the skin is re-draped naturally, with excess skin removed both in front of and behind the ears.

This provides the surgeon with optimal exposure and, in most cases, the most dramatic and long-term results for the patient. The stitches are removed after 6-7 days, and the patient usually returns to work within 10 days. Patients can resume mild exercise 2 weeks after surgery.

2. Liquid Facelift

Injectable dermal fillers based on hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid or calcium lactate can be used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, increase lip volume and fill void areas without surgery. Some of the more popular fillers today include Juvederm, Voluma, and Sculptra. Dermal fillers are a great way to prevent or delay cosmetic surgery.

3. Jawline Rejuvenation

This procedure is especially useful for restoring the area between the lower jaw and the upper part of the neck. Excess fat is removed from the neck by liposuction to form the jawline. If desired, this collected fat can be used as a natural filler, injected into the cheeks and midface to add volume.    

This is more suitable for people with the minimal sagging skin, as the skin is not removed during the process.

4. Mini Facelift

A mini facelift is a surgical lifting technique that uses smaller incisions than traditional facelift methods and is therefore less invasive. During the procedure, small incisions are made under the coverage of the hairline. These incisions allow the surgeon to tighten the skin and remove excess tissue; improving the appearance of the cheeks and neck.

Mini facelifts are often referred to as "weekend lifts" because patients can have surgery on Friday and return to work (and normal activities) on Monday. In general, a mini facelift produces less impressive results than a traditional facelift and is ideal for people with early signs of age who may not be ready for a full facelift.

5. S-Lift

 The S-Lift procedure is sometimes used to treat the lower third of the face (neck and cheeks). In this procedure, an S-shaped incision is used to separate the skin from the underlying tissues. The skin is tightened, allowing the surgeon to tighten the muscles and tissues, Later, the incision is closed with sutures. Similar to mini-lift, the S-Lift is minimally invasive and also requires a shorter recovery time than the traditional technique.

6. Mid-Facelift

Like the mini lift, the S-Lift is less invasive and requires a shorter recovery time than the traditional technique. The medium facelift is very effective in treating the area of ​​half of the face (cheeks). During this procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions along the hairline above the ears and inside the mouth.    

These incisions allow the surgeon to move the fat deposits over the cheekbones as well as firm the skin in that area.

7. Cutaneous Lift

This technique majorly addresses issues in the lower face area, including the jaw and neck. During the procedure, incisions are made around the ear and inside the hairline so doctors can separate the skin from the underlying muscle. The surgeon cuts off excess skin and stretches the remaining skin up to the incision site, after which stitches are applied. Due to the skin's ability to stretch over time, this method is considered less durable than other lifting methods that use forms of muscle tightening.

8. Temporal Facelift/Brow lift  

The temporal lift aims to improve the brow area. For people with slightly lowered or drooping brows, this type of brow lift can be a great alternative to a light brow lift without having to undergo a full brow lift procedure, which is more invasive and requires a longer recovery period. The procedure involves the surgeon making small incisions (usually along the hairline in patients with a high forehead or inside the hairline in patients with a lower hairline) to lift the skin on the sides of the eyebrows.  It is always recommended to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a brow lift surgery in Chicago.

9. Quick lift or MACS Lift    

Both Quick Lift and MACS are modifications of the S-Lift technique discussed earlier. These procedures lie between the S-Lift technique and traditional cosmetic techniques in terms of invasiveness and results. These procedures require more recovery time than S-Lift, but the results are more impressive; making them ideal for candidates with mild to moderate facial aging.

10. Deep Plane Facelift  

A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique in which the SMAS (facial muscle layer), along with fat and skin, is lifted as a unit. Deeper pull under the muscle allows you to perform deep flat lifts simultaneously for most areas of the face, including the middle of the face, puppet lines and neck. Typically, surgery includes platysma and neck liposuction as needed.

For any of the above procedures, additional procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), facial implants (such as chin implants), rhinoplasty surgery in Chicago (nose plastic surgery), and fat grafting are usually performed. This could further improve patient outcomes and allow surgeons to better meet each individual's needs and goals.

Considering personal characteristics and goals, it is always important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon about which approach will best achieve the desired results.