Every patient is affected differently. There are many other factors that also affect these changes, including smoking, weight gain or loss, genetics, excess sun exposure and excessive facial animation.
Facelift Techniques
A facelift is performed under general anaesthetic in fully accredited hospitals. Dr Safvat only works with highly trained anaesthetists accredited with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. The operation time varies depending on the number of procedures needed to rejuvenate the face. This can range from three to six hours.
Early facelifts just focused on tightening the skin. Unfortunately, the skin stretches, so the results of these skin-only facelifts were very short-lived. Dr Safvat only utilises the most modern facelift techniques. These involve repositioning the supporting structures under the skin, the SMAS (Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System), to a more youthful position.
Excess skin is then resected without any tension on the suture line, ensuring better healing and longer-lasting, more natural results. The incisions are hidden and quite inconspicuous. They’re placed either just around the ear (short scar/mini facelift) or extend to the hairline above and behind the ear (long scar). The choice of the incision technique generally depends on the amount and the site of excess skin that requires removal.
Restoring volume to the mid-face sometimes requires fat injection (fat grafting). It involves the removal of fat from other areas of the body and placing it in the face, resulting in a more youthful appearance. A bonus side effect of fat grafting is its high concentration of stem cells, which also improves the quality and texture of the surrounding skin and tissues.
Often, multiple procedures are combined to address the different effects of ageing on the whole face and neck. This helps achieve overall facial harmony and youthfulness. For example, upper and lower blepharoplasties are undertaken to rejuvenate the tired look of the eyes. The mid-face can be improved with fat injections or a facelift to produce more dramatic results. A neck lift can be performed with or without liposuction and platysma tightening to address the neck.
The most appropriate procedure or combination of procedures required will be decided on during a personalised consultation with Dr Safvat. The aim is to produce youthful, yet natural results.
Recovery
Following a facelift, patients often need to spend a night or two in hospital. This is followed by two to three weeks at home to rest and recover.
Swelling and bruising will be quite significant during the first two weeks. A compression garment will need to be worn during this time to reduce swelling.
Any activities that would increase blood pressure should be avoided for at least a month, if not longer. Even taking short walks too soon could affect your recovery and results. To be safe, it’s best to avoid exercise for at least six weeks.
Patients need to wait several months to see the final results of their surgery. Results will last at least five to ten years before the natural ageing process starts taking effect again.