Facial aging is inevitable. As the years go by, the skin begins to loosen on the face and neck. The earliest changes often occur around the eyes. Later, the cheeks begin to sag, smile lines deepen, and the jaw line softens. This increased jowling, along with loosening of the skin and fat under the chin, can give the face a sad, sagging appearance. As the population ages, it is no wonder why face lift surgery has become the third most desired facial cosmetic surgical procedure.
Although standard face lift techniques can address many of these changes of lower facial aging, many patients are looking for alternatives to this “all-or-nothing” surgical approach. The “wind-tunnel” face and the “mask-like” look of conventional face lifts are no longer acceptable. Today, patients desire a more “natural” rejuvenation. Busy patients demand more immediate results, little (if any) down time, smaller incisions, and less visible scars.
The S-Lift is an ideal alternative to traditional face lifts. This wonderful procedure gets its name from the “S” shape of the small skin incision just in front of each ear. Patients like to call this procedure the “small face lift” (S is for small). The S-Lift provides an overall lift to the lower third of the face and cheeks. Compared to a conventional face lift, it is a much quicker, safer, more affordable operation with fewer complications and a much shorter recovery time. The S-Lift can be combined with other minimal incision procedures.
What does the S-Lift involve?
Who are the best candidates?
Why is the S-Lift gaining in popularity?
Are the results permanent?
When can I go back to work?
What does the S-Lift involve?
This small-incision alternative to the conventional face lift is performed in our fully accredited outpatient surgical facility under local anesthesia with mild sedation. A special anesthetic solution is gently injected into the area forward of the ears. This fluid gently lifts the skin from the underlying tissue. A narrow “S” shaped section of skin is excised from just in front of each ear so that the incision lies in a natural crease. The skin is lifted and the underlying muscles are tightened. Excess fat may be removed with a tiny instrument designed for facial liposculpture. The incisions are then closed using fine sutures. The procedure normally takes only about one hour to perform.
Who are the best candidates?
Ideal candidates for an S-Lift are men and women in good health between the ages of 35 and 55 of who have mild to moderate lower facial and/or neck laxity. It is equally well suited for the “younger” patients seeking tightening of the lower face to stay ahead of the aging process as well as the “older” patient who wants improvement of the lower face without the risks and lengthy recovery involved with the traditional face lift. Patients who need extensive cheek and neck lifting, or those with excessive laxity may be better candidates for traditional face lift surgery.
Why is the S-Lift gaining in popularity?
The S-Lift is a relatively safe and simple procedure that may be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with minimal sedation. The surgery time is short, complications are minimal, and recovery is much more rapid than with conventional face lift surgery. The procedure is more affordable, results in less scarring, and provides a more natural look.
Are the results permanent?
Following surgery, the normal aging process resumes. Your life-style choices, bone structure, skin type, sun exposure, and heredity all play a part in determining how many years can be removed by an S-Lift, and for how long. In general, younger patients enjoy longer-lasting results.
When can I go back to work?
Following conventional face lift surgery, many patients are quite bruised and swollen for prolonged periods and may not be able to return to their everyday activities for three weeks or more. Recovery following the S-Lift is much more rapid. Although there will be some swelling and bruising for several days, most patients can resume normal activities 4-5 days after surgery and usually return to work within a week.
