Wrinkles, sagging skin and laxity in the jowls and neck begin to appear after years of exposure to the elements, facial expressions and the natural aging process. A facelift provides an overall lift to the lower third of your face by tightening loose skin in the jowls, neck and jaw line.

Doctor Reed begins the face-lifting procedure with an incision in the area of the temple hair (hidden in the hair), continues in front of the ear in a natural crease, and then continues around the ear lobe, circling the ear before ending in the hair behind the ear. The incision in front of the ear is placed in the natural skin creases so that it is well camouflaged after you heal. For men the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beardline. In a multiplanar facelift the deep layer of muscle underneath the skin is then dissected, advanced and tightened, and this helps support the skin after surgery. The excess skin is trimmed, and the incisions are closed meticulously with fine sutures, thus minimizing the visibility of any incisions.

Mini-facelifts are also performed which minimize the incision and the recovery time. Mini face lifts accomplish many of the goals of a traditional full face lift, however with more severe drooping neck and jowl skin a full face lift provides a better, longer lasting result compared to a mini facelift. Many patients are good candidates for a mini face lift, and the ideal candidate for the mini facelift is best determined by a doctor who performs all types of face-lifting surgery such as Doctor Reed. The mini facelift is also referred to as an S-lift, or short incision facelift due to the shape and smaller size of the incision. Dr. Reed can perform this procedure under local anesthesia while you are awake. The incision is hidden behind the natural curves of the ear called the tragus, so that no scars are visible. The muscle layer is tightened but not dissected and this minimizes post-operative bruising and swelling. This procedure is ideal for professionals and those with tight schedules, and recovery is usually a few days.

Please note that a facelift alone will not remove forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet or bags under your eyes. These areas can, however, be treated at the same time as your face lift. Dr Reed will help you decide which procedure/s will produce the desired outcome during your free consultation.