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Facelift in Santa Barbara
Many women (and men) older than age 40 have a keen interest in regaining a youthful appearance in their face. While the newest in laser technology (see our Laser Services section) can go along way to reversing the sign of aging, they are never a pure substitute for a surgical lift, which remains the 'gold standard' of invasive anti-aging techniques. You may be a candidate for a facelift, or rhytidectomy, if you have experienced a significant loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone of the face and neck. A California facelift may also be appropriate if you have the appearance of jowls and deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth, and developed facial and neck wrinkles.
If you believe you have lost youthful chin and neck contours and/or feel you that have a tired facial appearance, please send us an email or call our Santa Barbara plastic surgery office at 805-682-7222 to schedule a consultation.
Rhytidectomy patient shown before surgery with deep cheek folds,
jowls, and loose skin on the front and side of neck.
At Aesthetic Surgical Partners, we perform our facelifts in such a way as to give our patients a dramatically more rested and youthful contour to the face and neck while still appearing completely natural rather than "done", or overly affected.
Facelifts range in size from "mini" to "full" depending on location and extent of skin laxity. The operation is done on an outpatient basis in Santa Barbara under general anesthesia so as to facilitate optimal surgical conditions.
Incisions are made on either side of the face from inside the
hairline at the temples, in front of or partially within the ear, around
the earlobe, in the crease behind the ear and into the lower scalp.
The design of these incisions may vary from patient to
patient and according to the surgeon's personal technique.
Incisions are made within the hairline (or along the hair margin) above the ear, extending down around the lobe and ending in or below the hairline behind the ear, always with the intention of hiding any visible scars as much as possible. The subcutaneous layers and neck muscles are tightened, the facial skin is pulled and lifted, and the excess skin is removed.
Loose skin is pulled up and backward, and the excess is removed.
The patient goes home with the head and neck wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day. Minimal initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Sutures are removed within 14 days. Bruising and swelling decrease to "socially acceptable" levels in 10-20 days. The final result of a facelift procedure is evident in 4-6 weeks or sooner, with continued improvement for several months.
The postoperative patient with smoother, firmer skin on the face and neck.
Additional procedures that would enhance the result of a facelift are: Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift, Chemical Peel, Chin Enhancement, Nose Reshaping (rhinoplasty), Liposuction of the Neck, and Laser Skin Resurfacing.
This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore is not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment.
The specific risks and the suitability of facelift (rhytidectomy) procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.
Illustrations courtesy the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
- Facelift Information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Schedule a personal consultation with an Aesthetic Surgical Partners plastic surgeon
- Contact us for additional information about Santa Barbara facelifts