Ask Dr. Younger: Face Lifts
A facelift is a common cosmetic surgery that aims to give the face a youthful appearance. Facial and neck skin is lifted and tightened during a facelift while excess skin is removed. The goal is to smooth wrinkles and other signs of aging like folded or sagging skin, jowls and loss of cheek volume.
There are several types of facelifts, depending on the area of the face the procedure addresses. A complete facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, including the jowls and neck, while a mini lift targets wrinkles in the lower face and neck. Some people combine multiple procedures for a complete facial rejuvenation.
Regardless of the specific technique, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ritchie Younger of Younger Plastic Surgery in Vancouver, BC, has the skill, experience and artistic eye to help patients look 10-20 years younger with natural, long-lasting facelift results.
But First, What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a common cosmetic surgery that aims to give the face a youthful appearance. Facial and neck skin is lifted and tightened during a facelift, while excess skin is removed. The goal is to smooth wrinkles and other signs of aging like folded or sagging skin, jowls and loss of cheek volume.
There are several types of facelifts, depending on the area of the face the procedure addresses. A complete facelift focuses on the lower two-thirds of the face, including the jowls and neck, while a mini lift targets wrinkles in the lower face and neck. Some people combine multiple procedures for a complete facial rejuvenation.
Regardless of the specific technique, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ritchie Younger has the skill, experience and artistic eye to help patients look 10-15 years younger with natural, long-lasting facelift results.
Your Questions, Answered
When it comes to surgery, most of us have dozens of questions. From knowing what the surgery entails to whether or not you should get it, it’s best to ask the expert. So, we interviewed the renowned Dr. Ritchie Younger of Vancouver to tell us everything we wanted to know about facelifts.
What’s the right age to get a facelift?
There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all, perfect age to get a facelift, but Dr. Younger recommends against trying too young and starting between 40 – 60. For most people, middle-age is when aging becomes increasingly visible, and consideration for surgery or injections begins. There have been a few cases where successful facelifts were performed on persons younger than 40, but that is very rare and typically unnecessary.
The best way to determine if now is the right time for you to consider a facelift is to take a good look in the mirror. Pull your facial skin upward from the chin. Is there a dramatic difference of 1” or more to lift up? Does a dramatically younger face reflect back at you? If so, you should consult an expert you can trust to tell you the truth.
Can clients get similar results with less invasive procedures like “liquid facelifts” or others?
Despite the many new products or procedures that have made aesthetic strides for providing temporary age reversal appearance, “Facelifts are still the gold standard for anti-aging procedures,” says Dr. Younger.
When done right, facelifts provide, on average, about 15 years of permanent age reversal. A traditional surgical facelift is more cost-effective, giving longer-lasting and more dramatic results. However, this doesn’t mean your procedure will be evident to others. With invisible scars behind the ears and on the hairline, no one can explain why you look rested and refreshed with smoother skin.
While some procedures stave off deeper lines and wrinkles in your younger years, a facelift will always be the best method for genuinely eliminating at least ten years off your face. If you’re 60, you can expect to appear between 40 and 50 years old, which isn’t possible with other methods.
When should someone get a “mini” lift instead of a complete facelift?
While many facelift techniques exist, there seems to be a half-facelift option that’s often spoken about as a “simpler” option for those who don’t need their forehead anti-aged as well. And Dr. Younger doesn’t participate in these. The mini facelift usually ends with an asymmetrical effect and sets off the balance of the forehead and lower facial shape. Instead, allow your specially trained surgeon to create the perfect balance of lift and smoothing that will suit your features. Get personalised results with a complete facelift for long-term confidence and satisfaction.
Are there people who shouldn’t get facelifts?
20-30% of people who come in for consultations will be told a facelift is not necessary. Since the goal is to help a person turn the clock back 15 or 20 years, someone who doesn’t have that much age reversal to gain should probably wait.
Starting too soon in life means you aren’t likely to get a balanced or aesthetically pleasing look and sets off a cycle of wanting frequent touch-ups before necessary. This can add health risks that aren’t worth the results.
What if you’re afraid of anesthesia?
Dr. Younger performs many facelift surgeries with local anesthesia without you having to go under. This allows you to be awake but in a relaxed space and is ideal for anyone who doesn’t do well with sedation, which can slow healing time for some. There’s no reason to fear surgery when in the hands of a board-certified specialist who puts your best interests of safety and appearance first.
Ready to Ask Your Own Questions?
During your individual consultation, Dr. Younger can determine if a facelift or alternate procedure is recommended to achieve your aesthetic goals. As an expert facelift surgeon, he tailors every procedure to match your unique facial structure for a natural-looking, revitalised appearance and renewed inner self-confidence.
To schedule a one-on-one facelift consultation with Dr. Ritchie Younger, please call 604-738-3223 or complete an inquiry form here to determine your candidacy for this rejuvenating procedure. Dr. Younger truly enjoys helping patients like you turn back time with a customised plan!
