Face Lift Options For All Ages

A full facelift, which includes making in incision from the ear to the hairline, happens to be a very invasive procedure. Although most patients can expect dramatic results with a more youth appearance, there will be a price to pay; both in monetary costs and recovery time. Some of this cost will include a short hospital stay immediately after surgery. Furthermore, patients will need to take time off from work for at least the first week. It takes about two months to fully recover and enjoy the results of a full face lift. However, the invasiveness of this surgery produces better results. The surgeon can remove loose skin folds, and many times the patient will also combined their face lift with a neck or brow lift surgery. Older patients may choose this surgery because it is intended to remove both the excessive skin and fat that causes one's face to look aged.

There are other rhytidectomy procedures that are less invasive. This eliminates some of the cost and recovery time. One such procedure uses a surgical tool called an endoscope. This tool features a small camera that the surgeon can place underneath the skin to see the underlying muscles to manipulate the wrinkles and sagging skin.

Unlike a full lift, the surgeon does not need to make a large incision from the ear to the hairline for an endoscopic surgery. Instead, the surgeon can make three to four small incisions along the hairline, which allows them to place the camera in specific areas. These scars are easily hidden, and less obvious than the longer incision. The benefits to using this tool are endless, unfortunately it is better suited for patients who do not have an excessive amount of facial skin, since the endoscope does not remove excess skin. The endoscopic procedure does not require a hospital stay, and most patients recover with in a week.

There are many options for patients who are interested in a rhytidectomy; it isn't always necessary to have a more invasive procedure. Although this is better suited for older patients, younger patients who want to attack mild signs of aging have options too.