Rhytidectomy
Face-lift surgery (rhytidectomy) removes excess skin from the neck and lower jaw line (jowl) to give the lower two-thirds of the face a more youthful and rested appearance. A face-lift treats loose, sagging skin. It does not get rid of wrinkles. Face-lift scars are hidden behind the ears in the hair and under the chin. Face-lifts are most commonly performed on people age 40 to 70. Depending upon aging changes present before surgery, results from a face-lift can range from subtle to dramatic.With age, the skin begins to wrinkle and lose elasticity. Over time, creases deepen and jowls may appear along the jawline, and creases from the nose to the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds) become more apparent. Years of prolonged sun exposure damage the skin. In advanced facial aging, loose skin dangles under the chin creating the effect commonly known as "turkey wattle." In addition, smoking damages the skin by decreasing blood flow to it, and in some people, causes creasing, sometimes called marionette lines.
A person may be a candidate for face-lift surgery if any of the following conditions are present:
- A deep crease or fold running from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth
- An undefined jawline with excess skin (jowls)
- Loose skin and excess fatty tissue at the neck
