Facelift Surgery Perth, Facelift Recovery, Rhytidectomy, Meloplasty, Mid-Face Lift Perth, WA

Initial Consultation     Fees & Insurance     Email to a Friend     Print Brochure

Facelift - Face & Neck lift, Mini face lift, S - lift, Subperiosteal mid-face lift, Rhytidectomy

Over time, the long-term effects of aging, gravity, exposure to sun, dry air, smoking, high alcohol consumption, hereditary factors and general stress takes its toll on an individual's face and neckline. Jowls can develop under the jaw line forming folds and fat deposits. Sometimes creases begin to form between the nose and the mouth. The skin and contours may become less smooth, and the cheeks sag resulting in a droopy facial expression and "laugh lines".

A facelift can affect one's appearance dramatically. A Facelift is a safe, effective procedure performed to restore a more youthful appearance and a less fatigued look whilst maintaining or improving function. Increasingly women and men are seeking facelifts to restore a younger look to reflect their general health, corporate competitiveness and energy levels.

Facelift surgery is effective in improving facial contours but it does not stop the body clock or the natural aging process. This natural aging process will continue after surgery. Most people who seek facelift procedures are aged between 40 and 65 years of age, but younger or older people also have facelifts. It is now one of the most requested facial plastic cosmetic procedures.

When patients seek facial plastic surgery, it's not uncommon to focus on a single aspect of the appearance rather than the overall picture. As a qualified Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr Pham is trained to perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery on faces and necks. It is his responsibility to evaluate not only the areas of concern but other related areas that may enhance the final outcome. The motivation behind the requests is also taken into consideration. Not all patients are ready for cosmetic surgery and may be better suited with conservative procedures, such as wrinkle relaxer / Botox for fine lines and wrinkles and wrinkle fillers such as (Hyalaform, Restylane, Juvéderm, Esthélis, Collagen, Aquamid etc) for deeper lines and wrinkles. It should also be noted that cosmetic surgery is not necessarily the answer to failing relationships.

A Facelift is an elective procedure, which means that it is a personal choice and not necessary for maintenance of good health. Dr Pham will evaluate the soft tissues and bony architecture as well as the form and function of your head and neck areas. An overall assessment of your face provides the basis for what you may expect from a Facelift. Skin type, elasticity, thickness of the facial skin, subcutaneous and fatty tissues, bone structure, face shape, hairline, ethnic background and age etc, along with function and any degree of deformity are important factors which may influence the outcome of your surgery.

Dr Pham will inform you of the best methods of anaesthesia, the surgical facility where your procedure will take place and the benefits and risks involved in surgery. As with all facial plastic surgery procedures, a thorough health assessment and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Your understanding of procedures and routines is essential to a successful final result. Following a joint decision by you and Dr Pham to proceed with a Facelift, he will take photographs of you and discuss the options available.
Overall a Facelift address "saggy" skin and skin resurfacing procedures addresses textural fine wrinkles and imperfections, where as wrinkle relaxer and wrinkle fillers address wrinkles due to hyper dynamic lines and fine to moderate static wrinkles.

Facelift combined with other procedures

Understanding the Procedure

There are a number of types of Facelift.

Face and Neck Lift

The typical Facelift and Neck Lift begins with an incision in the area of the temple hair, just above and in front of the ear, which then continues around the lobe, circling the ear, before returning to the point of origin in the scalp. The skin is raised outward separating it from the underlying fat, connective tissues and muscles. Dr Pham will then reposition and tighten the underlying muscle and connective tissue with sutures (SMAS Lift, Deep Plane Facelift). Some fat and deep tissues may be removed, as well as excess skin. For men, the incision is aligned to accommodate the natural beard lines. There may also be a small incision hidden underneath your chin. The wound is closed with very thin sutures, and in the hairline with staples. A drain is occasionally inserted. A dressing is then applied and changed after 1-2 days. The hair and wound can be washed and suture lines cleaned after the dressing is removed.

In all cases, for camouflage reasons, incisions are placed where they will fall in natural creases in the skin. Any type of surgery leaves scarring and Dr Pham will close incisions in such a way that thin, virtually unnoticeable scars are well hidden. Incisions can be easily concealed by your hair or makeup.

Mini facelift / S-lift

A less invasive procedure is a Facelift (limited to face only). A number of variations include Mini-Facelift, Minimum Invasive Facelift, S-lift or MACS Lift (minimum access cranio-suspension). The incision is limited to the temple and in front of the ear. The underling fat and SMAS can be tightened, lifted and resutured with any excess removed. These procedures have less down time, fewer complications, reduce cost and are suitable for mild to moderate facial laxity and aging. These procedures are very effective in younger age groups where people are not looking to obtain dramatic results, but just subtle changes and refreshed looks.

Endoscopic Facelift / Mid-Facelifts / Subperiosteal Mid-Facelifts

In some facelift cases an endoscope (a rigid small tube with light and video camera attached which can be viewed on a screen) is used. This is known as an Endoscopic Facelift. It is commonly used for Mid-Facelifts (for medial cheek laxity) or Subperiosteal Facelifts.

In all cases, for camouflage reasons, incisions are placed where they will fall in natural creases in the skin. Any type of surgery leaves scarring and Dr Pham will close incisions in such a way that thin, virtually unnoticeable scars are well hidden. Incisions can be easily concealed by your hair or makeup.

Nect Lift

Not uncommonly a neck lift is requested to correct loose skin under the chin ("turkey wattle"). The scar is limited from the ear lobe to the posterior scalp area, however, when excess neck skin is removed, the lax skin of the face bunches up in front of the ears and the look is unnatural. The incision is then extended to the tragus to remove the dog ear. Many patients are usually not satisfied with just a Neck Lift and are better off having a combination Face and Neck Lift.

Dr Pham will discuss the most appropriate procedure with you.

A Facelift can be performed under IV (intravenous) sedation combined with local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. Occasionally it can be performed under local anaesthesia alone. Modern anaesthesia is safe and effective. However there are some side effects and it is best that you discuss these with your anaesthetist. Facelifts can be performed either in our day surgery or in hospital.