The face is one of the first places we notice the signs of aging. Drooping eyelids, deep creases between the nose and mouth, and sagging skin around the jawline can make us look years older than we feel. These effects are a result of collagen breakdown and volume loss, both parts of the natural aging process that contribute to a worn, tired appearance. If you’re not pleased with how the aging process has changed your face, you don’t have to settle. In fact, your cosmetic surgery options have never been better. Innovations in facial plastic surgery allow us to safely and comfortably rewind your skin to a more youthful time in your life when it was even more gorgeous.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert A. Shumway in San Diego, CA offers a full spectrum of facial plastic surgery procedures at his private practice. One of the most common surgeries at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery is the facelift. This treatment focuses on precise areas of the face to correct loose skin and wrinkles to create a smooth, more youthful appearance. Based upon your aesthetic goals, a facelift can focus on the areas around the eyes, the mid-face area and cheeks, the bottom section including the mouth, jowls, neck, and more for an all-around younger look. The type of facelift used depends on your desired outcome, the health of your skin, the degree of skin laxity, your lifestyle, your age, and other factors. We see men and women who want full facelifts while others may only need a mid-face lift. Dr. Shumway is an experienced surgeon who understands the anatomy and complex intricacies of a facelift procedure. The objective is to produce a natural appearance that’s smooth and appealing.

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery will have noticeable facial wrinkles and lines, whether it be the face as a whole or a specific section, such as the mid-face and lower face. A facelift can target various sections, depending on your unique signs of aging. It’s also important to note that age doesn’t always define the timing to have cosmetic facial surgery. There are countless unique concerns and reasons, and also numerous lift types, depending on what needs to be addressed. The treatment chosen will be different for patients who are in their 30s compared to patients who are over 60. Skin laxity is one of the key components in the decision-making process. Candidates should be physically healthy, stop smoking (if applicable), and have expectations that are realistic.

As you age, the skin of your face loses volume and elasticity. This can result in sagging, jowls, and frown lines that can make you look years older than you feel. A male facelift addresses these problems by removing excess skin from the cheeks, jaw, and forehead. Then, the skin is tightened to eliminate wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Regardless of your aesthetic concerns, there are numerous facelifts to consider. Some facelifts treat the upper area of the face, and others focus on the lower two-thirds. Moreover, some techniques are a bit more invasive than others. It’s very common for some individuals to have a brow lift, or BOTOX and fillers to complement their outcomes. Some of the more known facelift techniques include:

• Full Facelift
  A common surgery for older adults, the full or “traditional” facelift usually makes an incision near the hairline, extending down to the temple region, stopping near the base of the ears. The deeper layer of facial muscles is delicately stretched and securely tightened to create a lifted appearance, which diminishes excessive wrinkles and sagging. A full facelift is used for patients who show signs of aggressive aging. During a full facelift, several methods may be used, including an eyelid lift to address the eyes or neck reduction for the lower region.
• Mid-Facelift
  Incorporating a similar method to the mini facelift, the cheek lift (known as a mid-facelift) addresses the droopy features around the cheekbones, as well as the upper jaw. The mid-facelift works great for those who desire improvement in the middle to lower region of the face, which also includes the jowls.
• Lower Facelift
  A lower facelift corrects the neck region, chin, and sometimes the jowls. Methods of a nonsurgical nature, such as Kybella or laser skin tightening, can also be applied for chin augmentation to attain a younger-looking neck.
• Mini Facelift
  When undergoing a mini facelift, a tiny incision is placed near the ears to elevate the skin, which helps the mouth and jawline. This technique creates nice and subtle enhancements that look beautiful and natural.

It is important to schedule your facelift surgery at a time when you can take at least two weeks off from work and other activities in order to heal and recover. Plan for someone else to rush family members back and forth to their activities or to clean the house. The less you have to do for yourself in the days and weeks following your surgery, the more rapidly your body will be able to heal. Your priorities during your recovery time are to rest, maintain proper nutrition, and keep your follow-up visits with Dr. Shumway.

Following your procedure, we will monitor your health until you can be safely released to be taken home by a friend or family member. Prior to your surgery, Dr. Shumway or someone on his team will plan your follow-up visits and give you suggestions to help you feel more comfortable during your recovery. It’s normal to have bruising, swelling, possible drainage, slight to moderate pain, and soreness, which may be reduced by pain medication. You should feel and physically look better after about a month. Then, you can expect a smoother and younger-looking facial appearance. Keep in mind that a full facelift continues to be the gold standard in cosmetic surgery in giving men and women a youthful appearance. By eliminating wrinkles in the brow, around the eyes and cheeks, and enhancing the neck and chin area, you can lose years off of your appearance.

A good skin care regimen, a healthy lifestyle, and sun avoidance will maximize the longevity of your facelift, which can last between 7 – 10 years. Excessive drinking, smoking, and sun exposure will work against you. Your facelift will not eliminate every wrinkle on your face, but wrinkles around the mouth or eyelids can be addressed with additional procedures, such as dermal fillers, chemical peels, or lasers.

How much does a facelift cost?
The cost of your facelift will depend on the technique and other factors. In your consultation, Dr. Shumway will create your unique treatment plan to match your needs and goals. When this is complete, he can go over estimates of fees. To avoid unnatural-looking results, it’s better to concentrate on finding a skilled surgeon, like Dr. Shumway, instead of the lowest price. Shumway Cosmetic Surgery can give you information on low-interest financing if you would like it.

Which technique is best for me?
The best technique for you will vary based on your concerns, goals, level of skin laxity, what areas are being addressed, and other factors. To produce your best results, Dr. Shumway will explain the different techniques in your consultation. He can then help you choose which technique is best.

Should I get a surgical or nonsurgical facelift?
Although there are several great noninvasive skin tightening treatments, these can only give you small improvements. For moderate to severe skin sagging, facelift surgery is the best choice to improve your appearance. In your consultation, Dr. Shumway will discuss your choices, including nonsurgical procedures, to help you choose which is best for your goals.

What about wrinkle fillers and relaxers over facelift surgery?
Wrinkle fillers and relaxers, like BOTOX and Juvéderm, have become more popular to improve fine lines and wrinkles. Also known as a liquid facelift, nonsurgical wrinkle treatments usually help with early signs of aging; however, the results won’t last more than 1 – 2 years. A facelift will produce more significant improvements than injectables with long-lasting results. Ask Dr. Shumway about nonsurgical wrinkle treatments in your consultation. There will come a point in time in the life of your skin that cosmetic injectables will not give you the results that a surgical facelift will provide.

Will my results look natural?
Some patients worry that a facelift will make their skin look shiny, overly tight, or like they are in a wind tunnel. Dr. Shumway focuses on giving you results that look natural so you appear refreshed, not fake. He listens to your concerns and goals before creating your custom treatment plan to produce your best results.

We know choosing to undergo a facelift or any other type of cosmetic procedure is a big deal, and we will do everything we can to make you comfortable every step of the way. We work closely with all of our patients from the consultation all the way to the stunning reveal. Dr. Shumway’s impressive credentials and experience combined with the compassionate care he offers each patient will wow you almost as much as your own gorgeous reflection in the mirror when your facelift is all said and done. To hear more about this treatment, we welcome you to contact Shumway Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego, CA to schedule your consultation with Dr. Shumway.