Facelift Surgery: Revitalizing the Aging Face

In a previous post, we discussed natural phenomena that cause aging in the face. Not only do the soft tissues in the face droop, but they also deflate. Both bone and soft tissue erode leading to an old-looking face. At Finesse Plastic Surgery, we advocate fat redistribution and augmentation to correct aging in the face.

How do faces age?

A young vibrant face is egg-shaped with the narrow side down. As the face ages, the volume gravitates downward until the egg shape becomes narrow side up. Therefore, a surgical goal is to redistribute the drooping soft tissue upward to the cheeks and temples.

This technique generates a beautiful result that is also long lasting. Additionally, performing fat transfer or adding injectable fillers can improve these results. Our physician assistant and noninvasive specialist Nina Luong is very skilled with injectable fillers. Using your own fat is another option. This procedure is performed by one of our plastic surgeons and can be completed before, during or after your facelift surgery.

Aging Face Research

Many leaders in plastic surgery advocate correcting the drooping face in this manner. Dr Rod Rohrich and his colleagues described a technique that addresses both facial drooping and volume loss. In a June 2014 article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the “lift-and-fill” facelift was presented.

This technique transfers fat to specific compartments in the face to achieve optimal contour. Rohrich and his team used this technique in over 100 patients and measured the improvement with specialized software.At latest follow-up, the folds between the nose and lip (nasolabial folds) were improved, the cheekbones were enhanced, and the facial contour was superior when fat transfer was performed in addition to a facelift.

Orange County Plastic Surgery

At Finesse Plastic Surgery  we use the Vectra 3D imaging system to simulate the results of surgery. This is performed as a complimentary service during your consultation. This system allows us to show you what you will potentially look like after your surgery. We find that this helps our patients make confident decisions about which procedures are right for them.

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