Rhytidectomy (Facelift)
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reduce signs of aging in the face and neck. The procedure involves removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues, and repositioning the remaining skin to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.
It can address issues such as sagging skin, deep creases around the nose and mouth, jowls, and loose skin or fat around the neck. The goal of a facelift is to rejuvenate the facial appearance, while maintaining natural facial expressions.
Who is a good candidate for a face lift (rhytidectomy)?
A good candidate for a facelift, or rhytidectomy, typically includes individuals who meet the following criteria:
Facelift - The Procedure
How is a face lift (rhytidectomy) performed?
Anaesthesia
The procedure begins with the administration of a general anaesthesia in a fully certified hospital. It is often performed as a day procedure.
Incisions
Depending on the facelift technique your Plastic Surgeon is using will depend on the location of the scars. However, incisions are usually made at the hairline near the temples, continuing around the ear, and ending in the lower scalp
Tissue Repositioning
The underlying facial tissues and muscles are lifted and repositioned. This may involve tightening the deeper layers of the face and lifting the mid-face area.
Excess Skin Removal
Excess skin is trimmed away, and the remaining skin is re-draped smoothly over the uplifted contours. Any fat may be sculpted or redistributed to improve facial shape.
Closure
Incisions are closed with sutures. Dr Cronin takes great care to place incisions in natural creases and hairlines to minimise visible scarring.
At The Coastal Clinic, we provide exceptional surgical care and patient-centred end-to-end service to our clients on their journey to becoming the most confident, authentic version of themselves.
What are the different techniques used to perform a Facelift?
Deep Plane Face Lift
Overview: The deep plane facelift goes deeper than the SMAS facelift, addressing the deeper layers of the face, including the muscles and ligaments.
Procedure: The surgeon lifts the facial tissues in their entirety, repositioning them to restore without excessive skin tension.
Best For: Patients with significant sagging and deep facial lines.
SMAS Facelift
Overview: The Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) facelift is the most commonly performed technique. It involves lifting and tightening the deeper layers of the face, including muscles, fat, and skin.
Procedure: The surgeon makes incisions around the hairline and ears, then repositions and tightens the underlying facial tissues. Excess skin is removed.
Best For: Patients with moderate to severe sagging in the midface, jawline, and neck
Mid Face lift
Overview: A mid-facelift focuses on the middle section of the face, particularly the cheeks and under-eye area.
Procedure: The surgeon lifts and repositions the fat pads in the cheeks.
Best For: Patients with sagging cheeks or hollow under-eye areas, without significant jowling or neck sagging.
Mini Face lift
Overview: A less invasive version of the traditional facelift, the mini facelift targets early signs of aging, particularly around the lower face and jawline.
Procedure: Shorter incisions are made around the ears, and the underlying tissues are tightened with minimal skin removal.
Best For: Patients with mild to moderate sagging who seek subtle improvements with a quicker recovery.
Recovery & Aftercare
You will usually be discharged home from hospital the same day. You are required to have someone pick you up from the hospital and remain with you for the first 24hours. You will be placed in a surgical bra which is to be worn at all times for the first 6weeks. Surgical garments provide compression to the site and assist in reducing swelling and support healing.
Patients are monitored in the surgical recovery room at the hospital immediately after their operation. Patient’s usually go home on the same day. The face is usually bandaged to minimise swelling and support the healing tissues.
Prescribed pain medication helps manage discomfort during the recovery phase.
You will have an initial review with our nurse during the first post-operative week, and at each week until your incisions are healed and your pain has resolved. 6 weeks post-operatively you will have a review with Dr Cronin. Regular follow -ups with Dr Cronin at 3months, 6 months and 12months are also essential to monitor your surgical outcome.
Patients should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Light activities can typically be resumed within a week. Dr Cronin will advise you if it is safe to resume exercise during your 6week review.
Patients are advised on proper scar care techniques to minimise scarring. We offer a scar treatment plan as an add on for all of our surgical patients.
Swelling and bruising will gradually subside over the first few weeks, but it may take several months for all swelling to completely resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we haven’t addressed your inquiries yet, here are some frequently asked questions that may provide the information you’re looking for. However, if you still have any remaining questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic at 07 5683 0820 or via email at admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au. Our team is ready to assist you.
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From the age of 40, the amount of elastin in the skin gradually declines, until it ceases to be created by the age of 70. The skin gradually becomes thinner and easier to become wrinkled. Decades of everyday sun exposure also deteriorate the quality of the external layer of the skin, the epidermis.
A lifetime of facial movements starts to take its toll in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. Facial muscles differ from those of the rest of the body in that whilst most muscles attach to bones, and are designed to flex or extend joints such as a knee or shoulder, facial muscles attach directly to the skin, and are involved in forming the full spectrum of facial expression. Smile at a mirror and see how the movement of the skin causes the lines of facial expression – notably around the eyes, forehead, and across the cheeks. Over the course of a lifetime (particularly a happy one) these lines become more and more pronounced.
The incisions for a rhytidectomy or face lift procedure are usually made within the hairline, starting above the temple area and extending along the natural crease in front of the ear. The incisions then continue behind the earlobe and into the lower scalp. This approach allows for discreet placement of the incisions, with the aim to
The Coastal Clinic offers all patients our scar treatment plan package.
Before undergoing a facelift procedure, it is highly beneficial to establish a consistent and effective skincare regimen. By focusing on skincare prior to the surgery, you can enhance the overall condition of your skin which may help the result of your meloplasty.
The Coastal Clinic has designed a customised add-on preparation for your facelift package. This package is specifically designed to ensure your skin is in the best condition prior to surgery. To read more about our Preparing for your facelift package click here.
At The Coastal Clinic we offer all facelift patients an optional add on Preparing for a Facelift package. This is a 12 week treatment plan which includes a full consult with our cosmetic nurse and dermal/laser therapist, a Synergie Skincare A-Zinc pack, 3x laser genesis treatments and 2x bioremodelling treatments.
To read more about this package click here.
A well-performed facelift should enhance your natural appearance, making you look refreshed rather than overdone. Modern techniques focus on subtle, natural-looking results that avoid the overly tight or “pulled” look associated with older methods.
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If you are uncertain if you are a suitable candidate for a facelift, we suggest scheduling a consultation with our qualified dermal therapist or registered cosmetic nurses. They will provide guidance on various dermal treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers, tailored to your specific concerns.
Most people can return to work and resume light activities after about two weeks. At six weeks post-operatively the majority of swelling and bruising should have subsided and most patients can return to regular activities.
The results of a rhytidectomy vary depending on several factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and the natural aging process. It’s important to remember that while a rhytidectomy can rejuvenate the face, it does not stop the ageing process. Consequently, some patients may require another facelift in their lifetime to maintain their desired appearance.
Recovery time can vary depending on the type of facelift performed. Generally, most patients can return to light activities within 1-2 weeks. Swelling and bruising typically subside after 2-3 weeks, but full recovery, including the final results, may take several months.
Risks of Surgery
As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, we aim to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the general risks associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and procedure-specific risks.
- Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
- Death
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
- A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
- Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
- Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
- Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
- Wound discharge
- Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
- Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
- Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
- Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
- Pain and discomfort
- Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
- Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
- Adverse scarring
- Revisionary surgery
- Psychological impact of change in appearance
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
- Skin necrosis
- Haematoma
- Seroma
- Swelling and bruising
- Asymmetry
- Alopecia
- Movement of ears
- Parathesia (may be numbness or tingling)
- Facial nerve injury
- Extended drainage period
- Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
- Death
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
- A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
- Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
- Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
- Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
- Wound discharge
- Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
- Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
- Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
- Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
- Pain and discomfort
- Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
- Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
- Adverse scarring
- Revisionary surgery
- Psychological impact of change in appearance
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
