Facelift In New Haven, CT

With time, your skin loses its natural elasticity and begins to sag and stretch. This causes wrinkles, facial folds, jowls, and extra neck skin to appear. A facelift is often the perfect solution. Dr. Steinbacher uses modern approaches to help you look as young as you feel. Call (203) 453-6635 today to learn more about the procedure and whether you are a candidate for treatment!

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift or rhytidectomy is the treatment of choice for patients who have moderate to severe signs of sagging skin in the face and the neck. It is an outpatient procedure, in which your surgeon removes excess skin, tightens sagging muscle layers, and re-drapes the facial skin at a more youthful, higher level.

How Do I Know If I Need A Facelift?

Dr. Steinbacher recommends facelifts for his patients to address various visible signs of facial aging. These signs of aging are due to excess, saggy skin and fat around the neck. Such unwanted signs include:

• Sagging skin
• Facial jowls
• Double chins

Types of Facelifts

Also known as rhytidectomy, there are different types of facelifts, including:

Full Facelift

This type of facelift improves the signs of aging in the cheek area, jawline, and neck. This procedure may also be combined with other surgical procedures such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery to enhance results.

Mini Facelift

The “Mini lift,” also known as The Celebrity Facelift is a type of facelift that requires minimal downtime (as short as three days) and involves shorter incisions. It is most appropriate for signs of aging at the jawline or above and is not as completely effective for neck problems as a full facelift. It can be performed with the use of local anesthesia to promote patient comfort. Because it is a less invasive approach, the chances of side effects are also lower. Just like a full facelift, a celebrity facelift can be performed together with other forms of rejuvenation treatments such as injectable fillers, laser treatments, and eyelid surgery.

Rhytidectomy Procedure

Dr. Steinbacher usually performs facelifts while the patient is under intravenous sedation. Dr. Steinbacher most commonly performs the procedure in his private, fully licensed operating room. After sedation, Dr. Steinbacher will create an incision to begin the procedure. In a traditional facelift, the incision usually begins at the temples along the hairline, continues around the ears, and ends in the hairline behind the ear. Liposuction of the face and neck is then performed as needed. Dr. Steinbacher will reposition and lift the underlying tissue, typically the deeper layers and muscles of the face. Excess skin is then trimmed and the skin is draped back over the newly-formed contour. A second incision under the chin is also possible for patients plagued with a visibly aging neck. The goal of the procedure is to restore a more youthful, but natural look to the face.

Facelift Surgery Incisions

The procedure concludes by suturing the incision or applying skin adhesives. Dr. Steinbacher makes it a point to place the incisions in inconspicuous areas so that they are easily concealed by the natural contours of the face and the hairline of the patient.

A “celebrity” or mini-lift involves a much shorter incision, and less work under the skin, minimizing bruising and recovery time. The deeper tissues are still tightened however, and great importance is attached to a “natural” look.

Rhytidectomy Scarring

Any surgery involves some scarring, but Dr. Steinbacher makes it a point to place the incisions in inconspicuous areas so that they are easily concealed by the natural contours of the face and the hairline of the patient.

Rhytidectomy Recovery

Recovery from a facelift takes many forms. Physical recovery. Social Recovery. Recovery of sensation. Because it is your face, the interruption in social activities is often the hardest part of the recovery. The amount of time it will take for you to get back to a relatively normal routine after your facelift is about two weeks. Physical activity is limited the first two weeks to walking at a relaxed pace, while lifting, pushing, or straining should be avoided for two full weeks. Most patients will feel comfortable with makeup in social situations after two weeks.

How Long Will the Effects of a Facelift Last vs. The Effects of Fillers?

The results of a facelift will last for years, but its longevity depends on skin quality, significant weight changes, and environmental factors such as sun exposure. Depending on the type of filler, the effects can last anywhere from six months to two years. Fillers are temporary solutions for adding volume to the skin, and while fillers are not interchangeable with facelifts, they can be complementary.

Rhytidectomy Risks

Facelifts are safe if performed by a well-trained physician competent in evaluation, judgment, and surgical technique, such as Dr. Steinbacher. Like any surgery, facelift procedures carry some risk. Dr. Steinbacher will want to review these with you in detail. Fortunately, serious problems are rare, and these risks can be reduced by following our pre and post-operative instructions carefully.

Contact Dr. Steinbacher For A Facelift In Guilford, CT!

Dr. Steinbacher’s goal is to restore a more youthful, but natural look to your face. At our practice, we offer the answers to all your Facelift related questions, and the latest surgical techniques for desirable results! Contact us for a consultation with Dr. Derek Steinbacher in Guilford, CT at (203) 453-6635.

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