Activities such as smoking, sunbathing, outdoor activities and stress can alter the appearance of the face. In addition, as we age, deep creases may form between the nose and mouth, the jawline may grow slack and sag, and folds and fat deposits may appear around the neck. If you are interested in having a firmer, fresher appearance, a face lift may be right for you.

A face lift is best for patients who are otherwise in good health, without active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions. Typically, we perform face lifts on patients who are between 40 to 60 years old. The procedure can produce good results for people from 60 to 80 as well. If you have strong, well-defined bone structure and some skin elasticity, you are most likely to have good results from a face lift.

Schedule a consultation today by calling our Plastic Surgery Clinic at Domino's Farms at 734-998-6022, or our Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery at 800-493-3223 (FACE).

During this surgical procedure, the surgeon removes excess face/neck skin and tightens the tissues under the skin. Usually, our surgeons make an incision in the hair near the temple and continue to the front of the ear, around the ear lobe, behind the ear and into the hair. The surgeon then tightens muscles and sagging tissue, removes excess skin and repositions the remaining skin to create a more youthful look. The surgeon then closes the incision with sutures or with metal clips on the scalp. The surgeon may make a small incision under the chin if a neck lift is needed.

The type and size of face lift you will have will depend on the location and extent of your skin laxity. Plastic surgeries range from "mini" to "standard.”

We will keep you comfortable throughout the entire procedure. In most cases, we use general anesthetic so that you will sleep throughout the procedure. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is also an option for some patients.

Options to enhance the procedure: A face lift may be performed alone or in conjunction with a forehead lift and/or eye lift (blepharoplasty) or nose surgery (rhinoplasty). Your surgeon may also recommend injections of Restylane® or Botox® to help alleviate deep creases in your forehead or frown lines between your eyebrows. To improve the texture of your facial skin, we may recommend laser resurfacing or chemical peeling.

If you’re interested in having a facelift, we’ll first have you come for a personal consultation with your plastic surgeon. You will have the opportunity to discuss your goals and the results you'd like to achieve. Your surgeon will work with you to reach an understanding about what you can expect from this procedure and the long-term benefits. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you. During your initial consultation, you should expect to:

• Provide a complete medical history - Include information about any previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and all medications or herbal supplements you are taking
• Have your surgeon to conduct a complete physical examination
• Discuss possible risks and complications

After your consultation and decision about surgery, we will give you pre-operative information that explains everything you should do and know before your procedure. Your surgical team will instruct you on how to prepare. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. You may also want to make arrangements for someone to help you for a day or two while you heal.

During recovery, it’s very important that you follow your surgeon's instructions. This will promote healing and improve progress towards your new physical appearance. Also, it’s important that you attend all follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can assess your long-term results and answer your questions or concerns.