Maybe no one wants to say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue with the times: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, preserve youth and at the same time look natural. But is it possible to trust someone with your face without fear? How do you choose a good clinic and a competent specialist among the abundance of tempting offers?
What is a facelift for?
With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalance, slowing down of metabolic processes, decreased production of collagen, changes in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat bundles in some places and their appearance at times. 'others, where it is unwanted, and so on. As a result, facial tissues lose volume and elasticity, the skin becomes flabby and loose.
Regardless of the right care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures used, time will do its work: all these funds can affect only the surface layers of the skin. Even if it turns out that it delays the appearance of superficial wrinkles for a long time, then it will not be possible to completely stop or reverse the processes that occur in the deep tissues with the help of all of the above.
On a noteThe emergence of modern techniques has enabled surgical tightening services to once again strengthen their position. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), our country is now in the TOP 15 countries in the world in terms of the number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market reached a record turnover in the past five years, growing by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow. The third most popular among all types of plastic surgery is facelift.
Astestimonyfor a facelift, ptosis is the first to appear. It is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face resulting from a gradual loss of elasticity and tone of the skin, deterioration of muscle contractility. Ptosis can predominate in a specific part of the face:
- in the lower third of the face- ptosis (sagging) of the tissues of the neck and chin against the background of relaxation and increased skin surface area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and folds on the neck and the smoothing of a sharp chin-cervical angle;
- middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, nasolacrimal folds, bags under the eyes and drooping cheeks, deforming the oval of the face;
- in the upper third of the face- forehead wrinkles, sagging of the outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, protruding eyelids, formation of horizontal wrinkles at the bridge of the nose.
These age-related signs of tissue aging can be compensated for by various techniques of facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology. However, when it comes to surgery, it is important not to forget the flip side - the contraindications.
Contraindications:
- Malignant neoplasms;
- violation of blood clotting;
- epilepsy and serious psychosomatic illnesses;
- untreated hypertension;
- diseases of internal organs;
- dermatological diseases;
- chronic diseases in the stage of exacerbation;
- pregnancy;
- inflammatory and infectious processes.
On a note
Aging, although not very pleasant, is a natural process in which the natural anthropometric proportions of the face must be preserved, despite the fact that it is accompanied by the appearance of gravitational ptosis, i. e. physiological loss of tissue volume and the formation of skin folds and wrinkles. Therefore, from the very beginning of the degenerative process of tissues, it is better to choose more delicate exposure methods that do not give a pronounced "tuned" face effect.
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, of course, has gone a long way in its development and its possibilities are now great. However, you should be aware that after plastic surgery there is a possibility of complications - surgeons are familiar with them and know how to minimize side effects. But some complications can be prolonged and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.
Here is an overview of the currently most popular facelift methods - this will allow you to get an idea of the "arsenal" of modern cosmetic surgery and cosmetology clinics.
Types of suspenders
Today, specialists in plastic surgery are able to perform facelift procedures for any taste, as the possibilities of modern medicine allow. Each technique has its own adepts both among physicians and among patients. Let's take a closer look at how these techniques differ.
Surgical methods of facelift
These techniques allow to work the deep tissues of the face so that they have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are the endoscopic facelift and the SMAS facelift - they are aimed at a comprehensive solution to age-related problems. With their help, the redistribution of soft tissues of the face and tightening of the skin is carried out.
Circular lifting (complex correction of the face and neck) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation, which includes the possibilities of several techniques.
- Indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, excess loose tissue, deep wrinkles and other age-related changes.
- Contraindications: diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and other systems, as well as the liver and kidneys, hematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, the period of pregnancy and lactation - to identify contraindications it is necessaryto conduct laboratory and instrumental studies, consult a number of specialists. . .
- Injury: high. This is an operation in its own right, therefore, when choosing this technique, you should be aware of the seriousness of the upcoming intervention.
- Production: With a circular scalpel lifting, long incisions are made, followed by deep tissue modeling, transposition of pockets of fat and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Subsequently, it is necessary to stay in the hospital (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period of at least a month.
- Results- the most pronounced and the most durable, compared to all other techniques. Possible complications are scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches, and extensive bruising.
- advantages: the most effective procedure for a facelift with an excessive amount of tissue, the ability to correct deficiencies that other methods cannot cope with.
- Disadvantages: high trauma, relatively high risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.
Endoscopic lifting -a progressive type of surgery for the in-depth correction of age-related changes using endoscopic video equipment. As you can understand, this method uses an endoscope with a video camera of several millimeters, which transmits a magnified image several times to the monitor. Thus, the doctor can clearly see the working area with the nerve bundles and the vessels therein. An endoscopic face and neck lift is performed under general anesthesia. The varieties are an endoscopic facelift of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each of the operations is used depending on which part of the facial problems are to be treated. It is possible both to work with separate areas, and to combine several types of interventions. With an endoscopic facelift, the blood vessels are minimally injured and full control of the operation is available, and if all the rules and recommendations are followed, the risk of serious complications is practically excluded. Swelling of the tissues, small bruises, and temporary hair loss in the area of the procedure are possible, but over time the tissues are completely restored.
- Indications: deep wrinkles and folds, consequences of sagging soft tissues, lack of tissue volume due to age-related changes, droopy eyelid, drooping eyebrows and other cosmetic problems.
- Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases in the acute stage, inflammatory dermatoses, infections, skin coagulation disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
- Injury: way. The equipment eliminates the need for large incisions and controls the location of blood vessels and nerves.
- Execution of the procedure: under general anesthesia, small incisions are made (up to 1. 5 cm), then a deep detachment of the facial mask is carried out and tissue manipulations are carried out under the control of endoscopic video equipment: dissection, tension and fixation of themuscles and fatty deposits. At the end, cosmetic points are applied. The stitches are removed in five to seven days and the patient can return to their usual lifestyle in two to three weeks.
- Results: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, volumes are replenished, but the natural symmetry is preserved. The duration of the effect depends on individual characteristics, the presence of bad habits and stereotypes of behavior, but in general, the result can last up to 20 years. If we are talking about the possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
- Advantageshigh safety and low level of trauma, the possibility of full control with a video camera, the absence of visible traces of surgery, a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
- Disadvantages: in period of early rehabilitation, the effect of overcorrection is observed, the technique is poorly suited to patients with a very significant skin excess.
SMAS lifting- an effective method of surgical tightening with modeling of the musculo-aponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that the aging process of the middle and lower third of the face is mainly associated with this layer.
- Indications: signs of aging in the form of sagging and loss of elasticity of the skin, wrinkles, indistinct facial contours.
- Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases in the acute stage, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy.
- Execution of the procedure: during the operation, after excision of the excess, the skin is tightened, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The operation lasts for several hours, after which a recovery period is required, which lasts about a month.
- Resultspersistent, lasts up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic facelift. Possible complications include nerve damage, bruising, and edema.
- advantagesmethods: noticeable lifting effect, elimination of excess skin.
- Disadvantages: the risk of complications, the presence of scars around the atrium (in front of and behind the ears).
Non-surgical skin firming
This is a set of techniques the use of which makes it possible to obtain a lifting effect without significantly damaging the skin. Such approaches have gained popularity due to the possibility of performing a facelift procedure without surgery, that is, in a more gentle way with a minimal rehabilitation period. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of the effect.
Hardware cosmetologyincludes techniques using ultrasonic, radio wave or laser lifting effects on tissues without violating their integrity.
- Indications: wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and clear contour.
- Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory dermatoses, pregnancy.
- Injury: absent or almost absent.
- Production: during the procedure, the impact on the problem area with special equipment is carried out, In this case, it is not necessary to use general anesthesia and in a long period of rehabilitation. The patient can immediately resume his activities, he is only required to follow the doctor's recommendations. With some procedures, a few sessions are sufficient, while others require a course of procedures.
- Results: restore firmness and turgor, smooth wrinkles, stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin. The result is less durable than after surgical tightening, and strongly depends both on the characteristics of the patient's body and directly on the specifics of the chosen technique. Usually the effect lasts for two to three years.
- advantages- visible effect without trauma, absence of painful sensations and need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
- Disadvantages- the inability to eliminate many of the expressed problems of aging, less noticeable and lasting result, the need to repeat the course.
Injections -the introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin to combat age-related changes.
- Indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
- Contraindications: serious chronic diseases in the exacerbation stage, skin diseases, violation of the integrity of the skin, blood clotting disorders, individual intolerance to drugs, pregnancy and lactation.
- Injury: The contour plastic surgery procedure is considered less traumatic, but there is a risk of damaging blood vessels and nerves with a needle.
- Production: The procedure usually takes less than an hour. Only anesthesia per application can be used, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of a filler, you can remove nasolacrimal folds, nasolabial folds, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is injected only into the muscles - to relieve hypertonia and then smooth out wrinkles. In this way, too, it is quite possible to "lift" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can resume their normal activities and do them, following the doctor's recommendations.
- Results: procedures allow to replenish volume and remove wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of drug. The effect can last for three-six months to a year or a year and a half.
- advantages: low trauma, possibility of correcting the result if it turns out to be unsatisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and recourse to general anesthesia.
- Disadvantages: short-term result, need for repetition, visual elimination of only superficial imperfections.
The cost of facial rejuvenation procedures: can not you buy youth?
When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the well-known phrase: "You get what you pay for". Any type of facelift is a procedure that requires modern equipment, drugs and high-quality anesthesia, providing the patient with special conditions of stay and, above all, high qualification of the surgeon. If the price of this type of service is strangely low, it means that some of these points (or all at once) are not being met, and maybe the clinic is not licensed at all. But the beauty and health of facial skin are not things you can save money on. The public knows a great number of stories of patients who, once they decided to save money, were then forced to spend much larger sums not only to correct the consequences of an unsuccessful operation on the aesthetic level, but also to restore their health.
On average, the price of a deep surgical facelift of two areas of the face starts from a rather impressive amount; if it is necessary to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, then you will have to spend even more. The exact cost can only be found out during the consultation, since the scope of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. We are talking about the age, the quality of the skin, the volume of unwanted tissues, the type of structure of the face, as well as the wishes of the person himself, and much more.
The facelift of the (ultrasonic) SMAS equipment is not too cheap, the price is largely influenced by the number of lines. The cost of contouring with fillers depends on the drug and the volume of administration required.
The technologies that allow the return of young people are constantly being improved, expanding more and more the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to eliminate almost all manifestations of age-related changes, and after the introduction of endoscopic technology, it also became possible to minimize the trauma of operations. Thus, the use of modern equipment, an individual approach and the use of advanced techniques are all that can be counted on by people who want to look rejuvenated.
Where can I go for the procedure?
Recommendations for choosing a center of aesthetic medicine and a specialist are given by an expert - plastic surgeon:
"Since plastic surgery and cosmetology have gained popularity, a large number of specialized clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards of medical service delivery and employ unscrupulous specialists. Such clinics are not only interested in successfully solving the patient's problem, but simply do not have the resources for high-quality work.
In order to find a high-level doctor and a comfortable clinic, it is necessary to study as much information as possible about the specialists and the institution itself. First of all, do not hesitate to apply for a license for the right to practice medical activities, certificates, diplomas of doctors. . . In addition, all these documents must be accessible to the public on the site. It is necessary that the license reflects compliance with the requirements of the Procedure for the provision of medical care in the profile "Plastic Surgery", approved by order of the Ministry of Health. You should also pay attention to documents confirming the surgeon's current certification. It is worth knowing what the status of the clinic is, whether it has a sufficient level of funding to acquire high-quality equipment, and whether the medical institution has experience in carrying out the necessary procedures and photosillustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution has been operating for more than a year: if the history of the clinic is long, this suggests that patients (and regulatory authorities) have already developed an attitude of trust towards this medical institution.
An important selection criterion is a wide range of services provided and an integrated approach to solving the aesthetic problems of the patient in one place: from diagnostic measures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.