Facial skin is some of the thinnest on the entire human body, and it takes a beating from the sun, other environmental factors, and from personal habits such as smoking. Plus, the declining production of collagen—the protein that provides structural support for the skin—causes the facial skin to sag and allows wrinkles and creases to form.
A traditional facelift or a ProLIFT™ with a board-certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta and Alpharetta, Dr. Mark Beaty, can turn back the clock on facial aging by a decade or more. Here’s information about both methods.
What is a Facelift?
Because of the name, some people assume a facelift addresses aging on the entire face, but that’s not the case. A facelift is a surgical procedure that addresses the visible signs of aging in the mid and lower face and the upper neck. Dr. Beaty uses a variety of methods to smooth and tighten the skin of the cheeks, the chin area, and the upper neck. These include the ProLIFT™ technique, developed by Dr. Mark Beaty, which is described below. During the facelift or ProLIFT™ procedure, the skin is lifted and underlying muscle and tissue is repositioned to its former higher position. Excess skin is then trimmed.
WHAT CONCERNS CAN A FACELIFT ADDRESS?
These visible signs of aging respond well to facelift surgery:
- Mid-face sagging
- Jowls
- Fatty, loose areas below your cheekbones
- Banding, fatty tissue, and loose skin on your upper neck
- Deep nasolabial folds
- Loss of facial volume around the cheeks, mouth, and eyes
Who can benefit from a Facelift?
Since the facelift and ProLIFT™ procedures are customized to the needs of each individual, they can be beneficial to a wide variety of patients who are concerned with their degree of facial aging. Whether you’re looking to correct early signs of aging, or have significant drooping or skin laxity concerns, the facelift and ProLIFT™ procedures offer the ultimate solution for a new and rejuvenated you.
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR A FACELIFT?
Technically, there is no “best” age for a facelift, as each individual may show progressing signs of aging at their own rate. However, patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s may find the procedure to be the most beneficial for their goals in achieving a more youthful facial appearance. Rather than focusing on age, individuals considering a facelift should do so based on the severity of visible aging signs in the mid and lower part of the face and neck. This can include fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, jowls, submental fat, and other aesthetic concerns. During a consultation, our surgeon will complete a thorough evaluation and discussion of goals to determine if the individual is an ideal candidate for facelift surgery or if an alternative treatment is preferred.
Facelift (ProLIFT™)
*Individual results may vary!
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FACELIFT?
Thanks to declining collagen, sun damage, and the natural slackening of our skin and support tissues that comes with aging, many people over the age of 45 could benefit from a facelift. Your healing will proceed more effectively if you don’t smoke. Plus, you need to realize that a facelift will take 10 to 15 years off of your facial age, but it won’t stop the aging process, which will continue its inexorable march.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FACELIFT TECHNIQUES?
Facelift terminology can be confusing for patients, with many terms used which can have various meanings such as mini-lift, SMAS Lift, S-Lift, etc. Dr. Beaty is a widely recognized facelift expert, regularly lecturing on technique. He believes the most important concept in facelift is that each procedure should be matched to the individual patient, there is no cookie-cutter approach. There is little role in modeled facial surgery for skin-only techniques, effective and natural results can only be achieved by repositioning the supportive tissues of the face called SMAS. The broad category of facelifting used by Dr. Beaty is primarily aimed at improving the contour of the cheeks, jawline, and neck include:
Minimal Incision Facelift
Patients with early signs of facial aging, particularly along the jawline and cheeks, may be a candidate for minimal incision facelift. This technique is used when there is not much excess skin to be removed and the supportive tissues of the face can be reached through limited access. With this technique the incisions are completely hidden behind the ear or within the hairline making it almost impossible to tell that you have had surgery. Younger patients desiring smaller amounts of correction are ideal candidates for this procedure and can enjoy a dramatically refreshed appearance with no visible signs of surgery.
ProLIFT™ Technique
The Progressive Limited Incision Facelift Technique, also known as ProLIFT™, is a facelift and neck rejuvenation procedure designed for each patient using their specific anatomy and tissue consistency for custom-tailored surgical results. Dr. Beaty developed the ProLIFT™ technique after many years of studying under several different esteemed mentors and mastering a full compendium of facelift techniques. The underlying method of the ProLIFT™ utilizes intraoperative analysis and advanced surgical practice to align a patient’s aesthetic concerns with the most natural-looking outcome. This means that all aspects of the procedure—from incision length and placement to how the facial tissues are repositioned and anchored—are designed specifically to each patient for optimal facial rejuvenation improvement.
It is important to note that although a ProLIFT™ may be performed with shorter incisions or more limited dissection to better accommodate certain patients, it is NOT a mini facelift, which can yield limited results. Each ProLIFT™ procedure is custom designed from consultation through surgery to give the best possible result for each patient. Through the ProLIFT™ approach, Dr. Beaty is able to evaluate each tissue plane during surgery to determine what is needed to release and reposition tissues, which allows him to use minimal incisions, no unnecessary maneuvers, and no extra dissection. Therefore, only tissue that needs to be modified must go through the healing process. This process helps to reduce swelling, bruising, and total healing time for an overall easier recovery and minimal downtime after surgery.
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Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is an advanced technique performed by a small subset of skilled and experienced facial plastic surgeons. The deep plane facelift accomplishes a complete release of the supportive tissues of the face as a single unit with the skin. The surgeon is then able to reposition the sagging tissues of the face and neck in a natural, vertical vector and anchor them under no tension. The results provide a greater degree of improvement in the midface and nasolabial folds compared to other techniques, as well as more precise control over jawline contouring and shaping of the neck. Since the skin and supportive tissues are elevated as a single unit, the blood supply is not interrupted, resulting in better skin quality and longer-lasting results. The deep plane technique is ideal for patients with moderate to advanced facial aging who want maximal results with a natural, refreshed look.
Preservation Deep Plane Facelift
A preservation deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique designed to lift and rejuvenate the face while maintaining natural volume and minimizing tissue disruption. Unlike traditional facelifts, this approach carefully preserves the skin as well as the delicate ligaments and deeper facial structures, allowing for a smoother, more youthful appearance with longer-lasting results. By repositioning the underlying layers rather than pulling the skin, the preservation deep plane facelift reduces tension, enhances definition, and helps prevent an overdone look. Ideal for individuals seeking significant yet natural-looking facial rejuvenation, this technique also promotes better healing and minimizes downtime.
HOW IS THE FACELIFT PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
The ProLIFT™ / facelift procedure will begin with a consultation with Dr. Beaty. You can expect a comprehensive assessment of your facial skin, supportive tissue, and volume needs. Dr. Beaty will explain the recovery expectations as well as how you will be impacted by each step of the treatment to achieve your desired results. During the procedure, each step will be carefully evaluated to deliver maximum efficacy.
WHAT IS RECOVERY FROM FACELIFT SURGERY LIKE?
Facelift surgery involves a good deal of tissue lifting and repositioning, and this creates tissue swelling and bruising. Your first week or so you’ll need to sleep with your head elevated, making sure not to roll over onto your face. The first few days will be the most difficult, but then you’ll feel better quickly. As you recover, there may be some numbness in the lower face and neck. This is normal and is a result of the facial nerves adjusting to the re-draped skin. Most patients can return to work by the second or third week after surgery.
HOW LONG DO FACELIFT RESULTS LAST?
The results created by Dr. Beaty with your facelift surgery are permanent. You’ll have to be patient while waiting to see your final results, as swelling can come and go, especially in the evening, for a few months. Most people think a facelift takes from 10-15 years off the age of their face.
Of course, the aging process won’t stop. But your face will begin aging from a younger starting point, analogous to resetting a clock. To keep up with the process, many patients have a more limited second procedure in 5-10 years after having a full facelift.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF FACELIFT SURGERY?
The risks are the same as with most cosmetic surgeries, including excessive bleeding, hematoma, and swelling. With facelifts, nerve injury due to re-draping is also possible but very rare. Usually this is temporary.
WILL I HAVE VISIBLE FACELIFT SCARS?
This depends on the method Dr. Beaty uses. For facelifts, Dr. Beaty is very successful at hiding the incisions in the hairline and behind the ears. Initially during your recovery your incision scars will be pink, but this will pass and they will turn white and then become less and less noticeable. To help this process along, you need to protect your incision lines from sun exposure during your recovery.
What is a Liquid Facelift?
You may hear liquid facelifts touted as an alternative to surgery. While injections of dermal fillers to return volume to areas such as sunken cheeks can show some improvement, they obviously can’t remove excess sagging skin and they can’t reposition muscle fiber. Plus, dermal fillers only last roughly 9-12 months, so the effects are fleeting. Dr. Beaty believes dermal fillers make a great addition after a facelift to fill out areas such as the lips, and they can help to maintain a facelift when you have some sagging in the future, but there really is no comparison between a surgical ProLIFT™ or facelift and a liquid facelift.
WHAT PROCEDURES COMPLEMENT A FACELIFT?
While a facelift procedure can provide rejuvenating results to the lower face and neck areas, some patients may be interested in addressing signs of aging in the upper areas of the face as well. To help create a maximized outcome, there are additional treatments that can complement a facelift, including:
- Brow Lift – Repositions the eyebrows, smooths forehead wrinkling, and tightens excess skin for a more rested, youthful look.
- Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) - Removes excess skin, fat, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids, corrects upper eyelid drooping, and reduces wrinkles and puffy eyelids.
- Face Liposuction – Targets excess fat in areas such as the neck and chin to create a more defined, angular face.
- Facial & Skin Rejuvenation – Enhances facelift results with minimally invasive techniques after patients are fully healed from surgery by using laser skin resurfacing, skin tightening therapies, microneedling, facials, and peels for a brighter, glowing complexion.
- Cosmetic Injectables & Dermal Fillers – Reduces or removes fine lines and wrinkles, restores volume, and fills in hollowed cheeks and lips for a restorative youthfulness.
Dr. Beaty will discuss all facial enhancement options during a personal consultation. He aims to address each patient’s concerns and goals for the most comprehensive treatment plan and optimal outcome.
Find out more about a custom FaceLift and Neck Lift in Atlanta, Georgia
For a facial and neck rejuvenation treatment that will maximize your results and take years off your face, choose ProLIFT™. This revolutionary anti-aging procedure is only available at Beaty Facial Plastic Surgery.
Learn More about Dr. Beaty’s ProLIFT™ Technique:
*individual results may vary
Our providers specialize in non-surgical procedures, facial plastic surgery options and more.
If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact us to speak with one of our experts.
