Facelift: stop the moments of youth

Perhaps no one wants to say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue with time: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, preserve youth and, at the same time, naturalness. But is it possible to trust your face to someone without fear? How to choose a good clinic and a competent specialist from the plethora of tempting offers?

What is a facelift for?

With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. The reasons are many: hormonal imbalance, slowing down of metabolic processes, decreased collagen production, change in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat packages in some places and its appearance in others, where it is undesirable and so on. As a result, the facial tissues lose their volume and elasticity, the skin becomes saggy and saggy.

No matter how well cared for, effective folk methods, and cosmetic procedures are used, time will take its toll: all of these features can only affect the surface layers of the skin. Even if this delays the appearance of superficial wrinkles for a long time, it will not be possible to completely stop or reverse the processes that take place in the deep tissues with the help of all of the above.

on a noteThe emergence of modern techniques has allowed surgical tightening services to once again strengthen their position. According to the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), our country is currently among the 15 best in the world in number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market reached record sales in the last five years, increasing by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow. The third most popular among all types of plastic surgery is the facelift.

Likea testimonyfor a facelift, ptosis is the first to appear. This is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face as a result of a gradual loss of skin elasticity and tone, deterioration of muscle contractility. Ptosis may predominate in a specific part of the face:

• in the lower third of the face- ptosis (drooping) of the tissues of the neck and chin in the context of relaxation and enlargement of the skin area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases in the neck and the smoothing of a clear chin-cervical angle;
• in the middle third of the face- nasolabial creases, nasolacrimal creases, bags under the eyes and saggy cheeks, distorting the oval of the face;
• in the upper third of the face- forehead wrinkles, drooping of the outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, bulging of the eyelids, formation of horizontal wrinkles on the bridge of the nose.

These age-related signs of tissue aging can be compensated for by the use of various facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology techniques. However, when it comes to surgical intervention, it is important not to forget the other side of the coin - the contraindications.

Contraindications:

• Malignant neoplasms;
• violation of blood clotting;
• epilepsy and severe psychosomatic illnesses;
• untreated hypertension;
• diseases of Organs internal organs;
• dermatological diseases;
• chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage;
• pregnancy;
• inflammatory and infectious processes.

on a note

Aging, although not very pleasant, is a natural process in which the natural anthropometric proportions of the face must be preserved, although it is accompanied by the appearance of gravitational ptosis, that is, physiological loss of tissue volume and formation of folds and wrinkles in the face. skin. Therefore, from the beginning of the tissue degenerative process, it is better to choose more delicate exposure methods that do not give a pronounced effect of a "sharp" face.

Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, of course, has come a long way in its development and its possibilities are now great. However, you should be aware that after plastic surgery there is the possibility of complications - the surgeon is well aware of them and knows how to minimize side effects. But some complications can be protracted and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with vast experience and impeccable reputation.

Here's an overview of the currently most popular facelift methods - this will allow you to get a feel for the "arsenal" of modern cosmetic surgery and cosmetology clinics.

Types of suspenders

Today, plastic surgery specialists can perform facelift procedures for all tastes, because the possibilities of modern medicine allow it. Each technique has its own adherents, both among physicians and among patients. Let's take a closer look at how these techniques differ.

Surgical Face Lifting Methods

These techniques allow you to work the deep tissues of the face, so that they have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are the endoscopic lifting and the SMAS-lifting - they are aimed at a comprehensive solution to age-related problems. With their help, the redistribution of the soft tissues of the face and the hardening of the skin are carried out.

Circular facelift (complex face and neck correction) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation, which includes the possibility of multiple techniques.

• Indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, large amount of excess loose tissue, deep wrinkles, and other age-related changes.
• Contraindications: diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and other systems, as well as of the liver and kidneys, hematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, the period of pregnancy and lactation - to identify contraindications, it is necessary to carry out a laboratory and instrumental studies, consult a number of experts. . .
• Prejudice: High. This is a complete operation, so when choosing this technique you need to be aware of the severity of the next intervention.
• Running: With the circular scalpel lift, long incisions are made, followed by deep tissue shaping, transposition of fat pockets and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Thereafter, a hospital stay (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period of at least one month are required.
• Result- the most pronounced and long-lasting, when compared to all other techniques. Possible complications are scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches, and extensive bruises.
• pros: the most effective procedure for a facelift with an excessive amount of tissue, the ability to correct deficiencies that other methods cannot address.
• Minuses: high trauma, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.

Endoscopic Facelift -a progressive type of surgical intervention for deep correction of age-related changes using endoscopic video equipment. As you can understand, this method uses an endoscope with a video camera that is several millimeters in size, which transmits an enlarged image several times to the monitor. Thus, the doctor can clearly see the work area with the bundles of nerves and vessels that are located in it. An endoscopic face and neck lift is performed under general anesthesia. Varieties are endoscopic lifting of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each operation is used depending on which part of the face the problems need to be treated. It is possible to work with separate zones and combine different types of interventions. With an endoscopic facelift, blood vessels are minimally injured and full control over the operation is available, and if all rules and recommendations are followed, the risk of serious complications is virtually excluded. Tissue swelling, small bruises and temporary hair loss in the area of intervention are possible, but over time, the tissues are completely restored.

• Indications: deep wrinkles and creases, consequences of sagging soft tissue, lack of tissue volume due to age-related changes, drooping eyelids, drooping eyebrows and other aesthetic problems.
• Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases in the acute phase, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, skin clotting disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
• Prejudice: medium. The equipment makes it possible to dispense with large incisions and control the location of blood vessels and nerves.
• performing the procedure: under general anesthesia, small incisions are made (up to 1. 5 cm), then deep detachment of the face mask is performed and the tissues are manipulated under the control of videoendoscopic equipment: dissection, tension and fixation of muscles and bags of fat. At the end, cosmetic stitches are applied. The stitches are removed in five to seven days, and the patient can return to their normal way of life in two to three weeks.
• Result: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, volumes are replaced, but the natural symmetry is preserved. The duration of the effect depends on individual characteristics, the presence of bad habits and behavior stereotypes, but in general, the result can last up to 20 years. If we talk about the possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
• Benefitshigh security and low level of trauma, the possibility of full control with a video camera, the absence of visible traces of surgery, a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
• Minuses: in the initial period of rehabilitation, the effect of hypercorrection is observed, the technique is not very suitable for patients with very large excess skin.

SMAS survey- an effective method of surgical tightening with modeling of the musculoaponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that the aging process of the middle and lower third of the face is mainly associated with this layer.

• Indications: signs of aging in the form of sagging and loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, indistinct facial contours.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases in the acute phase, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy.
• performing the procedure: during the operation, after the excess is excised, the skin is stretched, muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The operation takes several hours, after which a recovery period is needed, which lasts about a month.
• Resultpersistent, lasts up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic lifting. Possible complications include nerve damage, bruises and edema.
• prosmethods: noticeable lifting effect, removal of excess skin.
• Minuses: the risk of complications, the presence of scars around the ear (in front and behind the ears).

Non-surgical skin tightening

It is a set of techniques whose use allows for a lifting effect without significant damage to the skin. Such approaches have gained popularity due to the possibility of performing a facelift without surgery, that is, in a smoother way and with a minimum period of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of the effect.

Hardware Cosmetologyincludes techniques that use ultrasound, radio waves, or laser survey effects on tissue without violating tissue integrity.

• Indications: wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and clear contour.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, pregnancy.
• Prejudice: absent or nearly absent.
• Running: during the procedure, the impact on the problem area is performed with special equipment, in this case, there is no need to use general anesthesia and in a long period of rehabilitation. The patient can immediately return to his activity, just following the doctor's recommendations. With some procedures, just a few sessions are sufficient, while others require a course of procedures.
• Result: restoring firmness and turgor, smoothing wrinkles, stimulating the natural production of collagen and elastin. The result is less durable than after surgical tightening and strongly depends both on the characteristics of the patient's body and directly on the specificities of the chosen technique. Typically, the effect lasts for two to three years.
• pros- visible effect without trauma, absence of painful sensations and need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
• Minuses- the inability to eliminate many of the problems expressed by aging, less noticeable and lasting result, the need to repeat the course.

Injections -the introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin to combat age-related changes.

• Indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
• Contraindications: severe chronic diseases in the phase of exacerbation, skin diseases, violation of the integrity of the skin, blood clotting disorders, individual intolerance to medications, pregnancy and lactation.
• Prejudice: The bypass procedure is considered less traumatic, but there is a risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves with a needle.
• Running: The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete. Only application anesthesia can be used, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of a filler, you can eliminate nasolacrimal creases, nasolabial creases, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is injected into muscles only - to relieve hypertonia and then smooth out wrinkles. Also in this way it is perfectly possible to "raise" the recessed corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal business and perform it, following the doctor's recommendations.
• Result: the procedures allow you to replenish the volume and eliminate wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of medication. Effect can last for three-six months to a year or a year and a half.
• pros: low trauma, ability to correct the result if it proves unsatisfactory, without the need for rehabilitation and use of general anesthesia.
• Minuses: short term result, need for repetition, visual elimination of only superficial imperfections.

The cost of facial rejuvenation procedures: can't you buy it young?

When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the well-known phrase: "You get what you pay for. "Any type of facelift is a procedure that requires modern equipment, medicines and high quality anesthesia, providing the patient with special hospitalization conditions and, most importantly, a high qualification of the surgeon. If the price of this type of service is suspiciously low, it means that some of these points (or all at once) are not respected and the clinic may not have a license at all. But the beauty and health of your facial skin is not something you can spare. The public knows a great many stories of patients who, when deciding to save money, were forced to spend much larger sums not only on correcting the consequences of an operation that was aesthetically unsuccessful, but also on restoring health.

On average, the price of a two-area deep surgical facelift starts at a pretty staggering amount, if you need to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, you'll have to spend even more. The exact cost can only be verified at the consultation, as the scope of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. We are talking about age, the quality of the skin, the volume of unwanted tissue, the type of structure of the face, as well as the person's own will and much more.

The hardware SMAS (ultrasonic) facelift is not very cheap, the price is largely influenced by the number of lines. The cost of the contour with fillers depends on the medication and the volume of administration needed.

Technologies that allow the return of youth are in constant improvement, increasingly expanding the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to eliminate almost all manifestations of age-related alterations and, after the introduction of endoscopic technology, it has also become possible to minimize the trauma of operations. Therefore, the use of modern equipment, an individualized approach and the use of advanced techniques are all that people who want to look rejuvenated can count on.

Where can I go for the procedure?

The recommendations for choosing an aesthetic medicine center and a specialist are given by a specialist - plastic surgeon:

"Since plastic surgery and cosmetology have gained great popularity, a large number of specialist clinics have emerged on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards for the provision of medical services and employ unscrupulous specialists. interested in successfully solving the patient's problem, but also simply lack the resources necessary for high-quality work.

To find a top-notch doctor and a comfortable clinic, it is necessary to study as much information as possible about the specialists and the institution itself. First of all, do not hesitate to ask for a license to practice medical activity, certificates, doctor's degrees. . . Furthermore, all these documents must be publicly available on the website. The license must reflect the fulfillment of the requirements of the Procedure for the provision of medical care in the "Plastic Surgery" profile, approved by ordinance of the Ministry of Health. You must also pay attention to documents confirming the surgeon's current certification. It is worth knowing the status of the clinic, whether it has sufficient funding to purchase high-quality equipment, whether the medical institution has experience in carrying out the necessary procedures and pictures of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution has been operating for more than a year: if the history of the clinic is long, this suggests that patients (and regulatory authorities) have already formed a trusting attitude towards this medical institution.

An important selection criteria is the wide range of services provided and an integrated approach to solving the patient's aesthetic problems in one place: from diagnostic measures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.