What is a Facelift?
A facelift is considered one of the pinnacle procedures in Plastic Surgery. Its goal is to lift the facial tissues and restore a youthful appearance.
Who is Facial Plastic Surgery for?
A facelift is ideal for both men and women who wish to improve the appearance of their face and erase the signs of aging. Over time, the skin becomes thinner, loosens, creating folds, and shows sagging due to gravity. Our face reveals our age, as signs of aging become more visible over time. Moisturizing creams may help, but they cannot deeply address wrinkles or skin sagging.
A facelift can improve the appearance of the face. It aims to tighten the skin and muscles of the face, lift the features, and remove excess skin. It provides a rejuvenation that is not associated with the old image of a “pulled” face, but rather, it is based on respecting the individual’s features and achieving harmony in its reconstruction.
With a facelift and neck lift, we eliminate wrinkles and signs of aging, achieving a youthful appearance while ensuring a natural, long-lasting result.
What Techniques are Used for the Lift?
Dr. Boukouvalas, with extensive experience and knowledge of all facelift techniques, chooses the method that best suits the individualized needs of each patient.
The technique used for the lift depends on the needs of the face. The main techniques are as follows:
- S-Lift: A “mini” lifting technique to improve mild to moderate sagging in the lower part of the face and neck. The incisions are barely noticeable, and the risk is significantly lower compared to the “classic” full facelift.
- MACS Lift: The Minimal Access Cranial Suspension is a lifting technique that is rarely performed under general anesthesia and most often under local anesthesia and sedation. It aims to correct skin sagging in the face, neck, and jawline. Incisions are made along the natural hairline, through the ear, and 3-4cm behind the ear, depending on the severity of the issue in the neck area.
- BAAPS Lift: A lifting technique in which the middle face is lifted by suturing the superficial myo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) of the facial muscles like a “purse-string”. The procedure is done under sedation and local anesthesia and focuses on the neck and middle face.
- Deep Plane Horizontal & Vertical SMASectomy Lift: This technique is an evolution of the above methods, differing in the depth of tissue separation under the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic), providing a more natural and effective tissue lift. The procedure is done under sedation and local anesthesia.
It is important to note that the primary correction of this procedure is not the skin but the underlying tissue, especially the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). In younger individuals, incisions behind the ear are avoided because they are not necessary. Typically, liposuction of the submandibular area is performed simultaneously, and when needed, fat grafting to the face (cheeks, cheekbones, periocular area) is done.
This approach achieves facial lifting while resolving volume loss in areas that need it.
Important Information about the Procedure
The evolution of medical techniques and Dr. Boukouvalas’s experience make the procedure safe, with guaranteed natural results.
The stay at the clinic is only 24 hours, after which the patient can return home. The scars from the lift are very thin and hidden in the hairline or natural facial folds and fade over time. There is no pain, as it is replaced by mild numbness that gradually fades with healing.
