Most doctors’ usual facelift incision. This incision raises the hairline in front of the ear. Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is the gold standard for lower face and neck rejuvenation. The procedure has undergone many refinements and advances over the past several decades. There are many different facial techniques to tighten the skin, but none can boast the results that a contemporary facelift procedure can produce. At Virginia Facial Surgery we warn that patients should beware of ‘miracle machines’ lofty promises, ‘the quick and easy, non-surgical facelift,’ “better than a facelift or Laser,” or the, “facelift in a bottle.” The results of these procedures are short-lived and leave many disappointed and with hard-earned money wasted. Also be wary of advertising gimmicks such as, ‘facelift in an hour while you are awake.’ These procedures are cook-book treatments provided by corporate franchises. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These franchises have many unhappy customers…just search the company name and read the blogs. Nothing can take the place of a contemporary facelift procedure.

At Virginia Facial Surgery, our facelift is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. The signs of aging are different during each decade of life and facial cosmetic procedures are now being sought out by people as young as in their twenties. This trend has been increasing, as people want to stay younger looking their entire life. Historically, facelift procedures were performed for people in their sixties or later. People now desire smaller procedures throughout their lives to continue to look young. We offer the weekend facelift, the mini-facelift, and the comprehensive facelift. We custom design your facelift procedure based on your aging and personal desires. Our procedures give you the results and longevity that you are looking for. Recent advances in procedures, anesthesia, instruments and technology make facelift surgery easier and more affordable. Our facelift procedures have you resting in your own home by the early afternoon. Naturally, as the face ages, the muscles lose tone and elasticity, begin to sag, and cause jowling. This also causes the skin to become lax and the neck muscle (platysma) begins to sag and form bands. Fat tissue may also collect under the chin. The skin may also be aged due to sun and environmental damage.

During your consultation, Dr. Mueller will first listen to your concerns and then will evaluate your bone structure, skin and muscle sagging, and skin damage. Based on the client’s concerns and Dr. Mueller’s examination, a personalized treatment plan will be recommended. Remember, these procedures are not needed but are desired. Dr. Mueller may suggest other procedures such as:

• blepharoplasty (eyelid procedure),
• liposuction,
• chin implant, or
• laser skin resurfacing

in combination with a facelift, but understand, that a facelift addresses the middle and lower face/neck only. Three main issues determine what type of facelift can be performed and if multiple procedures can be performed. They are the:

• patient’s general health,
• the amount of time the patient can take away from work, and
• the patient’s budget.

We insist that our patients see their primary care physician to have complete physical and blood tests to establish their overall health. A real facelift takes 10 – 14 days to heal. Promises of:

• “no downtime,”
• “no scars,”
• “no bruising,” and
• “no anesthesia,”

are promises that will not deliver results.

The three types of facelifts that we offer:

• the weekend facelift (small),
• the mini-facelift (medium), and
• the comprehensive facelift (large)

all address specific aging issues. A real facelift addresses issues such as jowling, platysmal neck bands, and the deep layers of the face and the neck, again, depending on the degree of aging.

Franchise and trendy micro-lifts do not address any of these issues and do not have longevity. Conservative facelift procedures do have a place, but only in our younger clients with minor aging. You would not want to waste your hard-earned money on a small lift when you really need a large procedure. A real facelift takes 10-14 days to recover. Don’t fall for high-priced television ads and advertised “miracle cures.”