Facelift: Stop the moments of youth

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

What is a facelift for?

With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalance, slowing of metabolic processes, reduced collagen production, changes in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat packages in some places and their appearance in other places where it is undesirable and so on. As a result, facial tissues lose volume and elasticity, the skin becomes flabby and sagging.

As much as good care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures are used, time will do its thing: all these means can affect only the surface layers of the skin. Even if it turns out to delay the appearance of surface wrinkles for a long time, then it will not be possible to stop or completely reverse the processes that occur in deep tissues with the help of all the above.

On a side noteThe advent of modern techniques has enabled surgical tightening services to once again strengthen their position. According to the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), today our country is in the TOP 15 countries in the world in the number of performed plastic surgeries. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market achieved record turnover 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 facelifting.

Astestimonywhen the face is tightened, ptosis occurs first. This is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face as a result of a gradual loss of elasticity and skin tone, worsening of muscle contractility. Ptosis can dominate a certain part of the face:

• in the lower third of the face- ptosis (lowering) of the neck and chin tissue on the background of relaxation and increase of the skin surface. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases on the neck and to the smoothing of the clear chin-cervical angle;
• in the middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, nasolacrimal furrows, bags under the eyes and relaxed cheeks, disrupting the oval face;
• in the upper third of the face- wrinkles on the forehead, lowered outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, canopy of the eyelids, the formation of horizontal wrinkles on the bridge of the nose.

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

Contraindications:

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

On a side note

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

Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery has, of course, gone far in its development and its possibilities are now great. However, you need to be aware that there is a possibility of complications after plastic surgery - surgeons are very aware of them and know how to reduce side effects. But some complications can be long-lasting and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.

Here is an overview of the currently most popular methods of face lifting - this will allow you to get an idea of the "arsenal" of modern clinics of aesthetic surgery and cosmetology.

Types of dentures

Today, plastic surgery specialists are able to perform facial lifting procedures for every taste, because the possibilities of modern medicine allow it. Each technique has its supporters both among doctors and among patients. Let’s take a closer look at how these techniques differ.

Surgical methods of facial tightening

These techniques allow you to work on the deep tissues of the face, so they can have a lasting effect. The most popular and most effective are endoscopic facelifts and SMAS lifting - they are aimed at a comprehensive solution to aging problems. With their help, the soft tissues of the face are redistributed and the skin is tightened.

Circular facelift (complex face and neck correction) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation that includes the possibilities of several 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 liver and kidney, hematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, pregnancy and lactation - to identify contraindications it is necessary to conduct laboratory examinations and instrumental studies, consult numerousspecialists. . .
• Injury: high. This is a full-fledged operation, so when choosing this technique, you must be aware of the difficulty of the upcoming intervention.
• Performance: Long incisions are made by circular lifting of the scalpel, followed by deep tissue modeling, transposition of fat sacs and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. After that, it is necessary to stay in the hospital (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period of at least a month.
• The result- the most pronounced and long-lasting, compared to all other techniques. Possible complications are scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches, and large hematomas.
• pros: the most effective procedure for tightening the face with an excessive amount of tissue, the ability to correct defects that other methods can not cope with.
• Cons: high trauma, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.

Endoscopic facelift -a progressive type of surgical intervention for in-depth correction of age-related changes using video endoscopic equipment. As you can understand, this method uses an endoscope with a video camera the size of a few millimeters, which transmits an image enlarged to a monitor. Thus, the doctor can clearly see the area of work with the nerve bundles and veins that are located in it. Endoscopic face and neck lifting is performed under general anesthesia. Varieties are endoscopic lifting of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each of the operations is used depending on which part of the face needs to solve the problems. It is possible to work with separate zones, but also to combine several types of interventions. With endoscopic facelift, the blood vessels are slightly injured and complete control over the operation is available, and if all the rules and recommendations are followed, the risk of serious complications is practically ruled out. Tissue swelling, small bruises, and temporary hair loss in the area of the intervention are possible, but over time the tissues fully regenerate.

• Indications: deep wrinkles and creases, consequences of loose soft tissues, lack of tissue volume due to age changes, drooping eyelid, drooping eyebrows and other aesthetic problems.
• Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases in the acute phase, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, skin coagulation disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
• Injury: medium. The equipment allows to avoid large cuts and control the position of blood vessels and nerves.
• Conducting the procedure: under general anesthesia, small incisions are made (up to 1. 5 cm), then a deep separation of the face mask is performed and tissue manipulation is performed under the control of video endoscopic equipment: dissection, tension and fixation of muscles and fat sheaths. Cosmetic sutures are placed at the end. The sutures are removed in five to seven days, and the patient can return to his usual way of life in two to three weeks.
• The result: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, the volumes are restored, but the natural symmetry is preserved. The duration of the effect depends on individual characteristics, the presence of bad habits and stereotypes of behavior, but in general the result can last up to 20 years. If we talk about possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
• Pluseshigh safety and low degree of trauma, the possibility of complete control with a video camera, the absence of visible traces of surgery, a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
• Cons: in the early rehabilitation period the effect of excessive correction is observed, the technique is unsuitable for patients with very large excess skin.

SMAS lifting- an effective method of surgical tightening with modeling of the musculo-aponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that the aging process of the middle and lower thirds of the face is mostly related to this layer.

• Indications: signs of aging in the form of sagging and loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, blurred facial contours.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases in the acute phase, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy.
• Conducting the procedure: during the operation, after the excision of the excess, the skin is tightened, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The operation lasts several hours, after which a recovery period lasting about a month is required.
• The resultpersistent, lasts up to eight years, but not as pronounced as in endoscopic lifting. Possible complications include nerve damage, hematomas and edema.
• prosmethods: noticeable lifting effect, elimination of excess skin.
• Cons: risk of complications, presence of scars around the earlobe (in front of and behind the ears).

Non-surgical skin tightening

This is a group of techniques whose use allows to achieve the lifting effect without significant skin damage. Such approaches have earned their popularity due to the possibility of performing facelifts without surgery, or in a milder way with a minimal period of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the weight and duration of the effect.

Hardware cosmetologyincludes techniques that use ultrasonic, radiowave, or laser lifting effects on tissues without compromising their integrity.

• Indications: wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and clear contours.
• Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, pregnancy.
• Injury: absent or almost absent.
• Performance: during the procedure, the problem area is hit with special equipment, in this case there is no need to use general anesthesia and a long period of rehabilitation. The patient can return to their jobs immediately, it is only necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations. Some procedures require only a few sessions, while others require a course of procedures.
• The result: restores strength and turgor, smoothes wrinkles, stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin. The result is less long-lasting than after surgical tightening, and largely depends on the characteristics of the patient's body, as well as directly on the specifics of the chosen technique. The effect usually lasts two to three years.
• pros- visible effect without trauma, absence of painful sensations and the need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
• Cons- inability to eliminate many pronounced problems of aging, less noticeable and long-lasting result, the need to repeat the course.

Injections -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 exacerbation phase, skin diseases, impaired skin integrity, blood clotting disorders, individual intolerance to drugs, pregnancy and lactation.
• Injury: Contour plastic is considered less traumatic, but there is a danger of damaging blood vessels and nerves with a needle.
• Performance: The procedure usually takes less than an hour. Only applicative anesthesia can be used, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of fillers, you can remove nasolacrimal grooves, nasolabial folds, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is injected only into the muscles - to relieve hypertension, and then smooth out wrinkles. Also, in this way, it is quite possible to "raise" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal tasks and perform them, following the doctor's recommendations.
• The result: procedures allow to restore volume and remove wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of drug. The effect can last three-six months to a year or a year and a half.
• pros: small trauma, possibility of correction of results if it proves unsatisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and use of general anesthesia.
• Cons: short-term result, need for repetition, visual removal of only surface defects.

The price of facial rejuvenation procedures: can't you buy youth?

When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the well-known phrase: "You get what you pay for. " Any type of facial tightening is a procedure that requires modern equipment, high-quality drugs and anesthesia, providing the patient with special living conditions and, most importantly, highly qualified surgeons. If the price for this type of service is suspiciously low, it means that some of these points (or all at once) are not respected, and maybe the clinic does not have a license at all. But the beauty and health of facial skin is not something you can save on. The public is aware of a huge number of stories about patients who, once deciding to save, were later forced to spend much larger amounts not only to eliminate the consequences of unsuccessful surgery from the aesthetic side, but also to restore health.

On average, the price of a deep surgical lifting of two areas of the face ranges from a rather impressive amount, and if it is necessary to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, you will have to spend even more. The exact cost can be found out only at the consultation, because the scope of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. It is about age, skin quality, volume of unwanted tissues, type of facial structure, as well as the wishes of the person and much more.

Hardware (ultrasonic) SMAS facelift is not too cheap, the number of lines greatly affects the price. The cost of contouring fillers depends on the drug and the required amount of application.

Technologies that enable the return of youth are constantly being improved, increasingly expanding the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to eliminate almost every manifestation of age-related changes, and after the introduction of endoscopic technology, it has become possible to minimize the trauma of operations. So, the use of modern equipment, individual 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?

Recommendations for the choice of aesthetic medicine center and specialist are given by an expert - plastic surgeon:

"Since plastic surgery and cosmetology have gained great popularity, a large number of specialized clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards for providing medical services and employ unscrupulous specialists. Such clinics are not only not interested in successful treatment. patient problems, they simply do not have the resources needed for quality work.

To find a high-class 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 seek a license for the right to practice medicine, a certificate, a doctor's degree. . . Moreover, all these documents should be publicly available on the site. It is necessary that the license reflects compliance with the requirements of the Procedure for providing medical care profile "Plastic Surgery", approved by order of the Ministry of Health. equipment and whether the medical institution has experience in performing the necessary procedures and photographs of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution operates for more than a year: if the history of the clinic is long, then it suggests that patients (and regulators) have already formed a relationship of trust to this medicalestablish.

An important selection criterion is a wide range of services and an integrated approach to solving the aesthetic problems of patients in one place: from diagnostic measures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.