Facelift

What Is a Facelift?

As you age, you may notice that your face starts to look less firm and supple. From the stress of daily life to prolonged sun exposure throughout your youth, skin on the face tends to sag and lose elasticity over time, resulting in jowls, deep creases, and an overall drooping appearance. If you are suffering from these cosmetic concerns, a facelift in Northern Virginia and Alexandria may be exactly what you need to restore a more youthful appearance to your face.

Available as a mini lift or a full facelift, this operation is sought by many local patients who are seeking to correct issues like sagging and deep creases on their face. Through repositioning deeper structures and tightening the skin by removing any excess tissue, a facelift will allow you to look and feel rejuvenated. If you’d like to turn back the signs of age, our facial surgeon Dr. Eric Desman is happy to discuss your options.

Ideal Candidates for a Facelift

The best candidates for a facelift include people who have started to notice sagging in the face and neck, but whose skin still maintains adequate elasticity. The majority of facelift patients are in their 40s to 60, but operation can also be done on patients well into their seventies or eighties, provided they still have some skin elasticity. Candidates for a facelift should maintain good health and be free from major medical conditions.

If you only have moderate facial sagging, you might want to consider a mini face lift. This face surgery is usually sought by patients in their 30s and 40s who don’t have significant levels of excess skin on their face, but who still want to improve their appearance and decrease signs of aging. A mini facelift also requires a shorter recovery period, allowing patients to get back to their daily life as soon as possible. Dr. Desman can help patients in Alexandria or Northern Virginia deliberate between a mini and full facelift.

How Does a Facelift Work?

Dr. Desman offers the following facelift options to meet your specific needs:

• Full Facelift – This surgery corrects wrinkles and sagging skin from the cheeks, sides of the face, lower face, and jaw area. The incisions for this procedure are usually on the edges of the lower half of the face. A full facelift frequently includes a Neck Lift.
• Mini Lift – Also called an S-lift, this procedure is less invasive than a full facelift. Less tissue is removed and a smaller portion of the face is lifted. Rather than focusing on the entire face, a mini lift corrects wrinkles and sagging skin on the middle or lower parts of the face.

Performing a facelift typically takes a few hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. Placement of the incisions might vary based on the areas needing treatment and Dr. Desman's preferred technique. In general, the facial skin is separated from the underlying fat and muscle, and if there is excess fat, it is either trimmed or suctioned out to provide a better contour to the face and chin. Any atrophied muscles will be tightened, and excess tissue will be removed. Immediately after a facelift, a small tube may be placed under the skin near the ear to help drain blood.

Dr. Desman performs Alexandria and Northern Virgina facelifts with care, so patients can rest assured that they will receive the safest and most attentive treatment.

Preparing for Your Facelift

Prior to the day of your facelift surgery, Dr. Desman will give you specific instructions to follow, so that you’re prepared and fully informed. These instructions will include any necessary dietary restrictions and outline which medications you should take or avoid. If you smoke, you should quit at least two weeks before surgery, as it can significantly affect the body’s ability to heal. Carefully following Dr. Desman’s instructions will help your operations go more smoothly and alleviate any anxiety you might feel before your procedure.

Maintaining the Results of a Facelift

Most facelift patients in Alexandria and Northern Virginia are happy with their results, especially once swelling and bruising have subsided. While the face will continue to age, the effects of a facelift are long lasting, allowing many patients to enjoy years of their rejuvenated appearance. If further signs of aging develop, patients sometimes opt for undergoing another facelift or mini lift ten years down the road. We also offer non-invasive treatments like Botox^® Cosmetic and Kybella^®, which can help restore a more youthful appearance without having to undergo a second surgery.

Remember to follow your facelift up with a healthy skin care routine for the best results post-surgery. And don’t forget to use your free consult with our licensed esthetician and month of free membership to our VIP program to get started!

Contact Our Team About a Facelift in Northern Virginia

If you are starting to notice wrinkles, fine lines, deep creases, or a sagging facial appearance, it is important for you to remember that you can pursue a facelift in Northern Virginia to achieve the cosmetic enhancements you desire. Especially when you work with Dr. Desman, you can boost your self-esteem and keep your face look as young as possible.

Our practice is proud to offer follow up communication, personalized assistance, and the attention you deserve. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.