The most comprehensive approach to treating facial wrinkles and sagging caused by ageing is a facelift, also called a rhytidectomy. This procedure can range from minimally invasive "lunchtime lifts" to more extensive and sophisticated surgery. Facelifts involve removing excess skin and then tightening the underlying tissue and muscle before redraping the skin on the face and neck. This procedure is used to correct midface sagging, marionette lines, jowls and double chin. The effectiveness of this procedure has made it the "gold standard" in facial rejuvenation, with thousands of people undergoing the procedure every year.

You might consider a facelift if:

You feel your face does not reflect your energy level and youthful spirit.
You look in the mirror and feel like age has taken its toll and you do not look like yourself anymore.
Your face has begun to age but you still have some skin elasticity.

Facelifts are popular because they can improve many areas of the face using only one surgical procedure. Facelifts are also an excellent choice for individuals who wish to recontour their neck and jawline. Facelifts remain the gold standard in facial rejuvenation because, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, they are able to make individuals look ten to fifteen years younger and boast long lasting results.

However, a facelift will not be able to create an entirely new version of you, only create a younger looking version. Age and skin type are also factors that need to be considered, and the more extensive versions of this procedure will require that you take some time off to recover.

You might be a good candidate for a facelift if:

You experience skin sagging in your mid face and/or jawline.
You have deep creases that extend from your nose to the corners of your mouth, referred to as nasolabial folds.
You have lines that extend from each corner of your mouth down to your chin, called marionette lines.
You have a double chin, which is caused by loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw.
The skin on your neck is creased and/or sagging
You are in good health

Before deciding if a facelift is right for you consult with your doctor and your plastic surgeon.

Dr. Adil Ladak is a board certified plastic surgeon based in Edmonton Alberta. His specialties include facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring and skin treatments. Contact Dr. Ladak at 780.407.6691 to book your consultation.