As age progresses, the skin loses its elasticity and tone, leading to sagging and excess skin on the face. The force of gravity tends to pull the skin downwards, causing the creases between the nose and mouth to deepen (the nasolabial fold).

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Taking all this into account, we have the facial muscles, which after so many years of performing their facial movements, the expression marks deepen, especially in the eyes, forehead and other facial regions. It is all these changes together that lead to the appearance of aging.

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The facelift aims to partially reverse this aging process, as it acts on the muscles of the face and removes excess skin. When performing this technique, we take care not to modify the patient's facial harmony by leaving an undesirably rigid skin, we try to seek a natural, less aged appearance, respecting the facial features, keeping the structures firm.

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WHAT IS FACIAL LIFTING?

It is a surgical procedure that is performed on people who have an aged appearance on the face, whether due to lack of skin care, excessive exposure to the sun, or simple genetic factors.

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This procedure is one of the most requested in plastic surgeons' offices, being performed mostly in women between 50 and 70 years of age, who seek a lighter and more attractive appearance.

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The Face Lift can be performed in both sexes, as long as the indication is approved by the plastic surgeon.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCEDURE IS TO IMPROVE REGIONS SUCH AS:

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• Pomules

• The Chinese mustache (nasolabial furrow)

• neck and jowl

• the skin near the mouth

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HOW IS THIS TECHNIQUE PERFORMED?

Small incisions are made in the ear and neck region, through which the fixation of the subdermal planes will be applied (superficial apo neurotic muscle system: SMAS that are weakened and then remove excess skin.

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Deep wrinkles near the mouth, known as the Chinese mustache and part of the sagging neck, can also be treated.

In some cases, this procedure can be combined with other methods to increase facial volume, for example, using the patient's own fat, the famous facial lipofilling.

RECOMMENDATION

It is indicated only for those patients who have facial sagging, wrinkles, deep furrows and excess skin on the face and neck. Remember that this procedure does not change the quality of the skin, it only improves its general appearance, by fixing structures that have lost strength and removing the remnants of the facial folds.

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TYPE OF ANESTHESIA

It can be performed with local anesthesia, with sedation or with general anesthesia, depending on the case to be treated.

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ADMISSION TIME

It is usually from 12 to 24 hours

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POST-OPERATIVE

Postoperative care is very important for the patient to have a good surgical result.

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Two drains are usually left, one on each side of the face, which will be removed within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

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The first post dressings will be performed after 48 hours, removing the comprehensive bandage around the treated area.

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Edema and bruises (purple) are expected, but show progressive improvement within 21 days.

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Recovery is usually painless, with minimal change in facial sensitivity for a period of time, which returns as the months go by.

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Sun exposure should be avoided for 30 days, with the intention of avoiding bleeding, accentuating the edema and not altering the scar's color. The use of sunscreen is mandatory for six months after the procedure.

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It may happen that the neck and face get a slight stiffness and numb sensation, in these cases it is important to remain calm and know that this will pass as the postoperative months.

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After 15 to 20 days of performing the cosmetic procedure, the patient can resume their normal routine, requiring the use of sunscreen.

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COMPLICATIONS

It is important to be prepared to perform this type of procedure, control pre-existing pathologies such as Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, coagulation changes, etc.

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Nevertheless, the complications that we can mention in this case are: bruises, opening of stitches, infections, skin necrosis, changes in scars, nerve damage, loss of sensation, and it is important to mention that within all of this, the consumption of cigarette smoking is a potential aggravating factor, so much so that it is advised to stop smoking immediately, or to stop smoking one month before and one month after surgery.

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FINAL RESULT

Most patients reach a final result within 6 months of surgery, it is important to mention that large changes in body weight, such as losing weight or gaining weight, can modify the final result, as the surgery is planned within the patient's current physical structure.