Face Lift Surgery Guide

By Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Michel Siegel – Houston, Texas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Siegel believes that your face lift should produce a natural, youthful look that is long lasting, and the key to this is the proper selection of procedures that fit your anatomy and personal goals. Dr. Siegel is skilled in many face lift procedures providing a wide choice of options to meet your needs.

The Modern Face Lift

The face lift procedure has evolved in many ways during the last 20 years to give you visible and long lasting results with less down time than traditionally required.

Subcutaneous Face Lift (The Traditional Face Lift)

So called “skin only,” first generation’ lifts in which the skin and some underlying fat is freed up, pulled tight, the excess removed, and the skin stitched back. This was the basis of the early face lifts and was popular until the early 70′s. Its shortcoming is that skin stretches if put under tension.

The SACS Face Lift

Here, the level of dissection is just below the fat plane, so deeper than the traditional subcutaneous face lift. The SACS Face lift has enjoyed some recent popularity. It is quick, without the higher risks of the traditional face lift, but most would argue not as long-lasting as other techniques.

The SMAS Face Lift

The principal here is to lift the SMAS layer (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system). This is the layer deep in the skin and fat of the face and includes the muscle tensioning layer and the facial “fat pads.” Repositioning the fat pads restores the youthful triangular shape to the face and widens the cheek bones. The lack of tension on the skin minimizes the complications of hair loss, scar widening etc, and the more youthful look lasts longer, as the deeper layer, not just the superficial layer, gets restored to its proper place.

Sub-Periosteal Face Lift

The sub-periosteal or “mask” lift involves lifting all face structures by lifting tissues ‘off the bone’ and lifting everything as a unit. Proponents argue it lifts everything and avoids cuts around the ear.

The Face Lift Procedure

The face lift procedure takes two to four hours. By hiding the incisions the proper way, a younger you – rather than a different you- is achieved while avoiding the “overdone” and “over-pulled” look.
Each plastic surgeon makes the incisions for a face lift differently. The placement of the incisions is one of the most important factors when undergoing either a mini-lift or a full face lift.

This photo is of one of my patients six months after face lift surgery. It shows several key points. One of the most important is how incisions are designed and closed after surgery to make them virtually imperceptible. It also shows the importance of preserving the side-burn and the natural landmarks of the ear to give a natural appearance after surgery.

This is the same picture in B&W depicting in red dots where the incisions where placed for surgery.

Incisions starts at the side-burn, it then follows the natural creases in front of the ear. Then the incision continues behind the ear, and lastly into the hair line.

It is very important to have the incisions placed properly, otherwise the side-burn may be lost, or the shape of the ear may change giving an unnatural appearance after surgery. Other procedures can be combined with the face lift at the time of surgery such as liposuction and a neck lift.

A Face Lift without Surgery?

Although there are many “new” procedures out there claiming to achieve face lift results without surgery, the reality is that these procedures have not delivered the results promised and have not stood the test of time like a face lift.

Arrange a Face Lift Consultation

If you want visible changes, and want to achieve a more natural you with less recovery time than you think, give us a call. Our private consultations are conducted in a pleasant no-pressure environment where you can discuss all possibilities and look at before and after pictures. You will have the opportunity to spend as much time with Dr. Siegel as you need.