Maybe no one wants to say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue with time: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, preserve youth and at the same time naturalness. But is it possible to trust someone with their own face without fear? How to choose a good clinic and a competent specialist among the abundance of tempting offers?
What is a facelift used for?
With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalance, a slowdown in metabolic processes, a decrease in collagen production, a change in the composition of bone tissue, the loss of fat packets in some places and their appearance in others, where it is undesirable. , and so on. As a result, the facial tissues lose volume and elasticity, the skin becomes flabby and flabby.
No matter how good care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures are used, time will take its toll - all these funds can only affect the surface layers of the skin. Even if it turns out to delay the appearance of superficial wrinkles for a long time, it will not be possible to completely stop or reverse the processes occurring in deep tissues with the help of the above.
on a noteThe emergence of modern techniques allowed surgical tightening services to once again strengthen their position. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), today our country is among the top 15 countries in the world for the number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market achieved record revenue over the past five years, increasing by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow. The third most popular of all types of plastic surgery is the facelift.
Liketestimonyfor a facelift, ptosis is the first to appear. This is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face due to a gradual loss of elasticity and skin tone, deterioration of muscle contractility. Ptosis can predominate in a specific part of the face:
- in the lower third of the face- ptosis (fall) of the tissues of the neck and chin against the background of relaxation and increase in the skin area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and folds on the neck and the smoothing of a noticeable chin-cervical angle;
- in the middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, nasolacrimal furrows, bags under the eyes and sagging cheeks, which distort the oval of the face;
- in the upper third of the face- forehead wrinkles, lowering of the outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, protrusion of the eyelids, formation of horizontal wrinkles in the bridge of the nose.
These age-related signs of tissue aging can be compensated for using various facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology techniques. However, when it comes to surgery, it is important not to forget the other side of the coin: contraindications.
Contraindications:
- malignant neoplasms;
- violation of blood clotting;
- epilepsy and severe psychosomatic diseases;
- untreated hypertension;
- diseases of the 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 should be preserved, although this is accompanied by the appearance of gravitational ptosis, that is, physiological loss of tissue volume and the formation of folds and wrinkles of the skin. Therefore, from the very beginning of the degenerative process of tissues, it is better to choose more gentle methods of exposure that do not give a pronounced effect of a "tuned" face.
Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, of course, has gone a long way in its development and its possibilities are now great. However, you must be aware that after plastic surgery there is a possibility of complications - surgeons are well aware of this and know how to minimize side effects. But some complications can be protracted 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 methods of face lifting - this will allow you to get an idea of the "arsenal" of modern cosmetic surgery and cosmetology clinics.
Types of braces
Today, plastic surgery specialists are able to perform facelift procedures for all tastes, because the possibilities of modern medicine allow it. Each technique has its adherents both among doctors and among patients. Let's take a closer look at how these techniques differ.
Surgical methods of facelift
These techniques allow you to work on the deep tissues of the face, so they can have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are the endoscopic facelift and the SMAS facelift - they aim at a complete solution to age-related problems. With their help, the redistribution of soft tissues of the face and skin tightening are performed.
Circular lifting (complex correction of face and neck) -a combined method of surgical rejuvenation, which includes the possibilities of several techniques.
- indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, a large amount of 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 necessary to conduct a laboratory and instrumental studies, consult a number of specialists. . .
- Wound: tall. This is a full-fledged operation, therefore, when choosing this technique, you need to be aware of the severity of the upcoming surgery.
- Development: With a circular lifting of the scalpel, long incisions are made, followed by deep tissue shaping, transposition of fatty bags and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Thereafter, hospitalization is required (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period of at least one month.
- Result- the most pronounced and long-lasting, when compared with all other techniques. Possible complications are scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches, and extensive hematomas.
- professionals- the most effective procedure for a facelift with an excessive amount of tissue, the ability to correct deficiencies that other methods cannot cope with.
- against: high trauma, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.
Endoscopic face lift -a progressive type of surgery for the profound 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 an enlarged image many times to the monitor. Then the doctor can clearly see the working area with the nerve bundles and vessels that are inside it. An endoscopic face and neck lift is performed under general anesthesia. Varieties are endoscopic lifting of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each of the operations is used depending on which part of the facial problems needs to be addressed. It is possible both to work with separate areas and to combine several types of interventions. With an endoscopic facelift, the blood vessels are little 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. Tissue swelling, minor bruises, and temporary hair loss in the surgery area are possible, but over time the tissues are fully restored.
- indications: deep wrinkles and folds, consequences of soft tissue relaxation, lack of tissue volume due to age-related changes, drooping eyelid, drooping eyebrows and other cosmetic problems.
- Contraindications: oncology, severe chronic diseases in the acute phase, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, skin clotting disorders, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Wound: medium. The equipment allows you to do without large incisions and to check the position 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 face mask is performed and tissue manipulation is performed under the control of endoscopic video equipment: dissection, tension and fixation of muscles and packs of fat. Eventually, cosmetic stitches are applied. The stitches are removed in five to seven days, and the patient can return to his usual lifestyle in two to three weeks.
- Result: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality: the skin is smoothed, the volumes are restored, 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 talk about the possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
- benefitshigh safety and low level of trauma, the possibility of full control with a video camera, the absence of visible traces of surgical interventions, a pronounced rejuvenating effect.
- against: in the first rehabilitation period, the effect of hypercorrection is observed, the technique is unsuitable for patients with a very large excess of skin.
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 thirds of the face is mainly associated with this layer.
- indications: signs of aging in the form of sagging and loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles, indistinct facial contours.
- Contraindications: oncology, acute chronic diseases, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy.
- Execution of the procedure: during the operation, after the removal of the excess, the skin is stretched, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed. The operation takes several hours, after which a recovery period is required, which lasts about a month.
- Resultpersistent, lasts up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic lifting. Possible complications include nerve damage, bruising, and edema.
- professionalsmethods: noticeable lifting effect, elimination of excess skin.
- against: the risk of complications, the presence of scars around the auricle (in front of and behind the ears).
Non-surgical skin firming
This is a group of techniques, the use of which allows you to achieve a lifting effect without significant damage to the skin. Such approaches have gained their popularity due to the possibility of performing a facelift procedure without surgery, that is, in a more gentle way with a minimum rehabilitation period. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of the effect.
Hardware cosmetologyincludes techniques that use 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 skin diseases, pregnancy.
- Wound: absent or almost absent.
- Development: during the procedure, the impact on the problem area with special equipment is performed, In this case, there is no need to use general anesthesia and in a long rehabilitation period. The patient can immediately return to their own activity, it is only necessary to follow the recommendations of the doctor. With some procedures, a few sessions are enough, while others require a cycle of procedures.
- Result: restores firmness and firmness, relaxes wrinkles, stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin. The result is less lasting than surgical tightening, and strongly depends both on the characteristics of the patient's body and directly on the specifics of the chosen technique. The effect usually lasts for two to three years.
- professionals- visible effect without trauma, absence of painful sensations and need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
- against- the inability to eliminate many of the expressed problems of aging, a less evident and lasting result, the need to repeat the course.
Injections -the introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin to counteract age-related changes.
- indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
- Contraindications: severe chronic diseases in the stage of exacerbation, skin diseases, violation of the integrity of the skin, blood clotting disorders, individual intolerance to drugs, pregnancy and lactation.
- Wound: The contour plastic procedure is considered less traumatic, but there is a risk of damaging blood vessels and nerves with a needle.
- Development: The procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete. It is possible to use only application anesthesia, after which the drug is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of a filler, you can get rid of nasolacrimal folds, nasolabial folds, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower thirds of the face. Botulinum toxin is only injected into the muscles - to relieve hypertonicity and thus smooth out wrinkles. Also in this way it is quite possible to "raise" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal activities and perform them, following the doctor's recommendations.
- Result: the procedures allow you to replenish the volume and eliminate wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of the drug. The effect can last for three-from six months to a year or a year and a half.
- professionals: low trauma, ability to correct the result if it proved unsatisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and the use of general anesthesia.
- against: short-term result, need for repetition, visual elimination of only superficial imperfections.
The Cost of Facelift Procedures: Can't You Buy Youth?
When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the famous phrase: "You get what you pay for". Any type of facelift is a procedure that requires modern equipment, high-quality drugs and anesthesia, providing the patient with special conditions of stay and, above all, a high qualification of the surgeon. If the price for this type of service is suspiciously low, it means that some of these points (or all at once) are not being met, and perhaps the clinic is not licensed at all. But facial skin beauty and health are not something you can save on. The public knows a huge number of stories of patients who, once they decided to save, were later forced to spend much more money not only to correct the consequences of an unsuccessful operation in terms of aesthetics, but also for restore their health.
On average, the price for a deep surgical lifting of two areas of the face starts at a rather impressive amount; if it is necessary to carry out more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, then you will have to spend even more. The exact cost can only be found out at the time of consultation, since the scope of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. We are talking about 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.
SMAS hardware (ultrasound) facelift 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 make it possible to restore youth 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 has also become possible to minimize the trauma of operations. So the use of modern equipment, an individual approach and the use of advanced techniques are all that people who want to look rejuvenated can count on.
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 wide popularity, a large number of specialized clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards for providing medical services and employ unscrupulous specialists. Such clinics are not only not interested in successfully solving the patient's problem, they simply do not have the necessary resources for high-quality work.
To find a high-class doctor and a comfortable clinic, you need 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 carry out medical activities, certificates, diplomas of doctors. . . Furthermore, all of these documents should be publicly available on the site. The license must reflect compliance with the requirements of the Procedure for the provision of medical care in the "Plastic Surgery" profile, approved by order of the Ministry of Health. You should also pay attention to the documents confirming the surgeon's current certification. It is worth finding out what the state 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 photos of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution has been in operation for more than a year: if the history of the clinic is long, this suggests that patients (and regulators) have already formed a confident attitude towards this medical institution.
An important selection criterion is a wide range of services provided and an integrated approach to solving the patient's aesthetic problems in one place: from diagnostic measures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.