The 7 Types of Facelifts

A facelift is a surgical cosmetic procedure that lifts and tightens the face to reduce the signs of aging. If you have wrinkles, saggy skin on the face and neck, folds of skin on the cheeks, folds on the jawline, or other signs of aging, a facelift can help improve your overall aesthetic appearance and beauty.

If you’re considering getting a facelift, it’s important that you understand the seven most common types of facelifts. Facelifts differ based on the location on your face and the surgical method. Below, we outline each type of facelift so you can make an informed decision about which is right for you. 

Location

There are four different types of facelifts as defined by which part of the face gets treated. These types of facelifts include upper facelift, mid facelift, lower facelift, and complete facelift.

Upper facelift

This type of facelift focuses on the forehead. The cosmetic procedure reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Incisions are made in the hairline, and the procedure involves lifting the skin to the side of the eyebrows.

This type of facelift is often paired with a brow lift or eyelid surgery to enhance the results of your upper facelift. A brow lift helps reduce frown lines and drooping eyebrows, while eyelid surgery helps eliminate sagging eyelids.

Mid facelift

A mid facelift focuses on the area between the corners of the eyes and the corners of the mouth. Your nose, cheeks, and upper lip will be the primary focus during this type of facelift. This cosmetic procedure can help reduce creases, wrinkles, sunken cheeks, sagging cheeks, and under-eye hollows to improve your facial contour. 

Your plastic surgeon will reposition the fat in this area during a mid facelift by making incisions in the hairline and the mouth.

Lower facelift

A lower facelift treats everything below the corners of your mouth. This cosmetic procedure reduces the signs of jowls and creates tighter and more youthful-looking skin.

A neck lift is often done in addition to a lower facelift to make the transition from jawline to neck look natural. It helps create a more cohesive appearance of smooth, tight skin.

Complete Facelift

Just as the name suggests, a complete or full facelift incorporates upper, mid, and lower facelift regions for equal lifting. This cosmetic procedure is ideal if you have more severe signs of aging, as it can help create a full restoration of the face.

Incisions are made by the hairline and around the ear as well as under the chin. Your surgeon then sculpts the fat and lifts the muscles before positioning your skin over the new facial contour.

Procedure

There are many different variations in the procedure for a facelift. These procedures range from minimally invasive to invasive. Below are three of the most common facelift procedures.

Endoscopic Facelift

If you’re worried about facelift scars or extensive surgery, an endoscopic facelift is the minimally invasive procedure for you. During this type of facelift, your plastic surgeon uses small cameras to get a clear view of your face without making extensive incisions.

An endoscopic facelift is a cosmetic procedure that can tighten your facial muscles for a more youthful appearance. However, if your plastic surgeon suggests removing excess skin for your ideal results, this procedure won’t work. Endoscopic facelifts don’t include the removal of skin.

Cutaneous Lift

As opposed to the tightening of muscles in a more traditional facelift, a cutaneous facelift focuses on only the skin. During this cosmetic procedure, your plastic surgeon trims excess skin and stretches what remains for a smoother, tighter-looking appearance. 

This procedure is more invasive than the endoscopic facelift procedure. However, the skin can stretch over time, so this treatment is less permanent. 

Traditional Facelift

During a traditional facelift, incisions are made in the hairline and under the chin. Your plastic surgeon will reposition not only the skin but also the muscles. This will result in tighter skin that is more permanent because of the direct sculpting of the muscles.

From sagging skin to wrinkles and deep creases, the traditional facelift can address it all. At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, double-board certified, Dr. Dominic Castellano has years of experience performing facelifts to improve the lives of his patients. If you want to know what type of facelift Dr. Dominic recommends for your cosmetic desires, schedule a consultation today.

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