True face lifting is sometimes confused with procedures that only provide skin tightening. While tightening of skin can provide a firmer feel to the face, true face lifting involves lifting of the deeper SMAS (superficial muscular and aponeurotic system) layer of the facial structures.

With age, loss of fat, muscle, sagging skin, and bone resorption all interplay with the effects of gravity. This results in weakening of key deep ligaments that support the internal structure of the face. True face lifting aims to reposition & lift this deeper SMAS layer which sags with age. All surgeries are performed under sedation.

We can effectively lift the face with 2 approaches:

Strategy 1 – Scarless face lifting surgery. This involves tiny access points used to surgically lift & reposition the SMAS. This is a good approach for

• earlier signs of aging,
• for patients favoring a preventive approach to aging before proceeding to a full face lift,
• and for patients whose skin may keloid from longer scars.

Strategy 2 – Rhytidectomy or face lift surgery for older patients with greater sagging of the skin will require greater access to the SMAS layer via longer incisions to lift and tighten the face internally. Excess loose skin is trimmed & removed. These incisions heal well, and are hidden within the ears & hairline. Excess wrinkles on the skin are also significantly improved with this procedure.

Some patients with very early signs of facial changes may opt for non-surgical PDO thread lifts that provide lift primarily through effective collagen tightening of the skin.

Contact us now to learn more.