Purpose

To counter the effect of gravity on the sagging soft tissues of the face and neck with ageing.

Details

Barbed sutures are a relatively recent innovation and these sutures are inserted to suspend facial soft tissues from the temples. The effect may not very long lasting and this approach is more suitable for very mild ageing changes in young people.

Established sagging can be helped with a formal face lift operation. There are many variants of the face lift operation and each surgeon has his own preferences.

Most often, the soft tissues of the face are undermined and freed via incisions in the temples and pre-auricular skin. The SMAS layer of the soft tissues (the inelastic strength providing layer) is then dissected and anchored securely to stable points in the temple area so as to provide support for the facial skin and subcutaneous fat. Alternatively, the SMAS is picked up in the jaw angle and jowl areas and is suspended with permanent sutures to the temples. The malar areas, if warranted, can also be lifted and there may then be lower eyelid incisions to help creating a youthful appearance.

Work may need to be done in the neck which may be liposuction and incisions there are sometimes necessary.

Caution

Strenuous activity should be avoided the first week or 2 after operation. Swelling and bruising may take time to go away. Recovery may take 2 to 3 weeks long. Lifts do not arrest further ageing.