FACE LIFT-IT’S TIME TO LOOK REFRESHED!!!

The face is the most visible part of our body, and it’s always exposed to the public (unless you are a celebrity and hide your face with a scarf and sunglasses!)

Unfortunately, we are all victims of genetics and the laws of gravity. Eventually, the signs of aging will make noticeable changes in our face. From top to bottom these changes are: ptosis (drooping) of the eyebrows or excess fat and skin in the upper and lower eyelids, descent of the mid-face causing flattening of the cheeks and exaggerating the bulging of the lower eyelids, descent of the lower face creating the jowls (hound dog look), and loosening of the muscles/skin of the neck resulting in a “turkey neck”.

All of the above can be improved with plastic surgery. My goal, as a plastic surgeon, is to improve the face while maintaining a natural look. The incisions for the face lift start in front of the ear, extend behind the ear, and travel back to the junction of the hair line with the back of the neck. If done properly, the scars heal very nicely. However, your hair stylist will be able to see the scars from up close. The face and neck skin is undermined and the facial “muscles” are tightened. The cheek is repositioned to its youthful position. The neck muscles are also brought back to their normal position. The excess face and neck skin are then removed. It is important to take the right amount of skin; otherwise a “wind-swept”, operated look will be the result. I also tighten the muscles not to create tension, but to correct the aging and add volume at the same time.

It is important to note that a face lift will correct the underlying problem of aging. However, the quality of the remaining skin is not going to improve dramatically with a face lift. Imagine the leaning Tower of Pisa. A face lift is similar to straightening the Tower. However, only a fresh coat of paint will make the Tower look new. Several options are available to address the skin. For most patients I recommend the Mixto Laser to improve the quality of the skin. The recovery period for a face lift is shorter than most surgeries. Majority of patients can attend a public event in two weeks, with make-up. The swelling may take 2-4 months to resolve.

Michael A. Jazayeri, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon in Santa Ana and member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons. His office is located in central Orange County, in the city of Santa Ana.

To schedule a consultation, please call (714) 834-0101.