Facelift

Are you tired of seeing wrinkles and sagging skin on your face? A facelift performed by Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor can improve and refresh your facial appearance. Our practice caters to residents of the metro Atlanta area and surrounding communities in Georgia.

What is a Facelift?

As we age, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in our faces. Creases form between the nose and mouth, the jaw line grows slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. A facelift can help to “set back the clock,” improving visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone or with other procedures, such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

How is a Facelift performed?

Most facelifts are performed under local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and your face will be insensitive to pain. A facelift usually takes several hours to complete. Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin. In general, Dr. Bootstaylor will separate the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. Dr. Bootstaylor then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions.

Dr. Bootstaylor performs surgical procedures at Emory University Hospital Midtown and Northside Hospital.

What are the risks involved?

Complications with facelift surgery are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities. Dr. Bootstaylor will give you clear and specific directions for creating the best possible outcome.

How quickly will I heal after a Facelift?

You should be up and about in a day or two but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first. Dr. Bootstaylor will give you specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They’re likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

Expect by the third week to look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about 10 days to two weeks after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains.

Does a Facelift leave scars?

A facelift will produce a very faint hairline scar that is typically camouflaged along the natural hairline, while other smaller scars may be hidden in the natural creases of the face and neck. These scars will naturally fade over time, becoming nearly invisible after a few months.

How long do results last?

Although facelift results are considered long term, the procedure alone cannot deter the aging process, and several factors may affect how long your results last, such as age, skin condition, and lifestyle. Since younger skin retains more of its natural elasticity, results naturally last longer in younger patients. If your skin is lax due to age, sun damage, smoking, or weight fluctuations, you may require a follow-up procedure after a few years, though you may opt for a less invasive procedure at that time. Taking good care of your skin will also enhance your results and make them last longer. We recommend using daily sun protection with a minimum SPF 30. Of course, you should also avoid smoking and harmful irritants that can damage your skin over time, and observe a healthy diet and exercise regimen to maintain youthful-looking results. Some patients will require some form of follow-up treatment after several years, but typically a less invasive procedure can help you successfully prolong the results of your facelift.

Upgrade your life with a rejuvenating facelift to improve and rejuvenate your facial appearance. The team of specialists are  passionate about helping you achieve your cosmetic goals. Using the latest and most advanced procedures in the industry, we provide facelifts and other cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for patients residing in the metro Atlanta area and surrounding communities in Georgia. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!