FACELIFT

A popular misconception about facelifts (rhytidectomy) is that the signs of aging will be completely removed over the entire face. Instead, it is a procedure designed to improve the signs of aging, particularly redundant skin, in the lower half of the face, from the corners of the lips, over the cheeks to the neck level. It has no effect on the wrinkles around the eyes, the forehead or around the mouth.

Many people make the mistake of pulling the skin back tightly on the face so every wrinkle is removed in order to get an idea of what a facelift will do. The result is a mask like appearance with the mouth and nose distorted. This is not what a facelift will do. A more accurate demonstration is to hold a mirror above the head and then look up into it. A tightening of the skin in the lower third of the face will be noted.