Facelift London

What is a Facelift?

At London Bridge Plastic Surgery, a facelift is performed to regain a more youthful fresh look by lifting sagging jowls and cheeks.

Facelift Plastic Surgery, in general, is used to enhance facial features to gain a rejuvenated appearance. The surgery is carried out to correct displaced tissues, skin, fat, and muscles of the face.

As we age several things happen to our face — The skin loses elasticity and becomes lax, fat decreases and becomes displaced by gravity producing the typical jowls, flat cheek, and lower eye bag. Muscles also lose their size and strength and with the loss of bone especially around the upper and lower jaws, the face takes on the typical features of aging. The skin loses collagen and hyaluronic acid, sun damage and pollution occur (Can also be worsened by smoking), pigmentation is common (age spots), fine blood vessels and wrinkles appear. These all contribute to the ‘aging’ of the face.

Why have a Facelift?

A Facelift will help reposition displaced skin, fat, and muscles to achieve a natural subtle youthful appearance. Remember, a facelift will not solve any life crises, but it can boost your self-confidence and enjoyment of life.

Who is the Best Candidate for a Facelift?

The best candidate for our London facelift are individuals who meet the following criteria:

• If you have sagging cheeks you’re typically a good candidate.
• If you have loose skin around your jawline you’re a good candidate.
• If the folds around your neck have become more noticeable over time.
• Many of our patients have noticeable wrinkles on the nose and mouth.

What are the Benefits of a Facelift?

Facelift surgery with our talented London plastic surgery team can be one of the most rewarding procedures. Below, we’ve listed a few of the marvellous benefits:

• The surgery will improve the definition of your facial features.
• Our facelift can minimize the deep wrinkles in the face.
• The surgery can rejuvenate your face and neck, giving you a more youthful appearance.
• The procedure will reduce excess or loose skin around the neck and jawline.
• The facelift operation will tighten lax muscles in the face.

Planning Your Facelift Surgery

The first step to planning a facelift is to get in touch! After scheduling your consultation, you’ll meet with one of our plastic surgeons to discuss the surgery. It’s vital that you are as open and honest as possible. Good communication with your surgeon always leads to the best results. Below, we’ve provided a pre-operative plan before getting your surgery. The surgeon will provide you with exact instructions prior to surgery.

• General: Cosmetic facelift plastic surgery will correct loose skin, jowls, and your neck with improvement in facial lines. Fat Grafting to restore volume loss may also be recommended to achieve the best results of your surgery. Any existing facial asymmetry will be pointed out during your consultation.
• Medical problems: Any Heart, Kidney, or blood pressure problems must be reported prior to the surgery.
• Drugs: Avoid Aspirin/Ibuprofen-type analgesics for two weeks before and after your facelift surgery. Stop Vitamin E two weeks before surgery.
• Smoking: It’s critical that you must avoid smoking at least three weeks prior to your facelift or Rhytidectomy surgery and until wounds are fully healed or at least two weeks after.

Facelift Surgery

Incisions are placed during the facelift operation in the hairline, above the ear, down in front of your ear, and then in the groove behind the ear to within the hairline behind the ear. Drains are placed on each side of your head and remain for a minimum of 4 hours post-operatively. During your surgery, dissolving or pullout sutures are used in front of the ears – these are then removed after 5-6 days.

Below, we’ve included an operative summary of the surgical procedure:

• Anaesthetic: Surgery is normally performed under a general anaesthetic with a Local Anaesthetic at the time of operation. Incisions are placed during your facelift cosmetic surgery in the hairline above the ear, down in front of your ear, and then in the groove behind the ear to within the hairline behind the ear.
• Drains: One drain on each side of your head remains for a minimum of 4 hours. Dissolving or pullout sutures are used in front of the ears.
• Clips: In some circumstances, you may require clips that will be removed in 10-14 days after your facelift plastic surgery.
• Dressings: At the end of your London facelift surgery, micropore tape, wool, and the bandage are placed and will be removed prior to discharge. A facial garment is to be worn for the first five days then as much as possible for the next 2-3 weeks following surgery.
• Hospital Stay: This is usually a day case procedure, but you may require 1 night stay in hospital after your facelift operation.

How is the Recovery Process?

Only mild pain is expected following your facelift surgery. Below, we’ve included post-operative instructions. Before your surgery, we will provide full post-op instructions.

• Pain killers: Avoid Aspirin / Ibuprofen type analgesics. Cleaning Gently, wash your hair after 48 hours following your surgery. Use mild shampoo only—such as baby shampoo.
• Exercise: Avoid vigorous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery. Do not bend down for the first three days following your facelift surgery. We recommend you sit up at night as much as possible.
• Care of scars: Gentle massage with simple moisturizing cream once sutures are removed.

How Much Does a Facelift Cost in London?

The Cost of a Facelift in London can vary on a number of factors. Following your consultation, the admin team will be able to provide you with an exact cost. Financing options are available to help ease the cost for our patients.

Why Choose London Bridge Plastic Surgery for Facelift Surgery?

London Bridge Plastic Surgery is a world-renowned plastic surgery practice started by Mr. Christopher Inglefield. He’s completed thousands of surgeries and is an expert in the field with a compassionate bedside manner. In 2012, Mr. Inglefield was accredited with the lifetime achievement award at the Aesthetic Awards for his work and dedication within the field of plastic surgery.

Potential Problems & Risks with a Facelift

As with all surgeries, there are risks and potential problems. The talented team at London Bridge Plastic Surgery takes patient safety as a top priority which reduces the risks. Below, we’ve included information about common conditions and issues to look out for.

• Pain: Mild-Moderate discomfort is only expected following your facelift or Rhytidectomy surgery. Bruising is common and may last for 10-14 days. The bruising can spread down your neck.
• Bleeding/Haematoma: This is rare with a facelift but if it happens it will require a return to the theatre for treatment.
• Facial Muscle Weakness: This may occur and is usually temporary, affecting the corner of the mouth or forehead, which recovers in about 6 weeks and is rarely permanent. *There is a greater risk of this with a facelift revision.
• Sensation: The skin of the face, scalp, and ears has reduced sensation/numbness after your facelift surgery. Recovery is expected from 6 weeks to 6 months and some residual numbness can be expected on the cheeks.
• Scars: These usually fade over 3 to 6 months. They rarely become red and thickened (Hypertrophy). There can also rarely be delayed healing of wounds, especially behind the ears.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re interested in a London facelift at our prestigious clinic by world-renowned plastic surgeon Mr. Christopher Inglefield, please contact us today. Mr. Inglefield is widely considered by his patients to offer the best facelift London residents can look forward to. We look forward to meeting with you and providing our expert recommendations.

Facelift FAQs

Your Facelift Questions Answered

Does Facelift Surgery require a General Anaesthetic?

Surgery is normally performed under a general anaesthetic with local anaesthetic at the time of operation.

How long is the procedure?

Facelift surgery normally takes approximately 2 hours to perform depending on the complexity of the surgery.

Will a special garment be required after Facelift surgery?

At the end of your facelift surgery, micropore tape, wool, and the bandage is placed and will be removed prior to discharge. A facial garment is to be worn for the first 5 days then as much as possible for the next 3-6 weeks following your facelift.

Does Facelift surgery require a stay in the hospital?

In most cases you can return home the same day but occasionally it is recommended to stay in hospital overnight depending on your individual needs.

Can Facelift surgery be performed in conjunction with other treatments?

Several other non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments or procedures may be suitable to achieve the optimum rejuvenation of the face. At LBPS we provide a full treatment plan that covers not only surgery but aftercare, non-surgical treatments, and more. Rejuvenation treatments or procedures may include skincare-Obagi, Anti Wrinkle Injections, Dermal Fillers, and Browlift, cheek or chin implants, or a Cheek / Midface lift. What is right for you will depend on your goals. Thus, at the time of your consultation, a thorough discussion of these nonsurgical and surgical procedures and the options is essential to providing you with the highest standard of care.

What is the best age for a Facelift?

Typically, the best age for a facelift is between 40 and 60 years of age, which is when aging in the skin becomes more prevalent.