Aging is a natural process that encompasses many things, including growing wiser and taking more time to appreciate what is truly important in life. However, with all the wonderful things that aging brings, it also sometimes results in weaker joints, less sharp memory and reflexes, hormonal fluctuations, and changes in skin elasticity.
No matter how much moisturizing cream and anti-wrinkle remedies you’ve slathered on in your younger years, your skin may still slowly start to sag as you grow older.
Not to worry, there are many available medical procedures to correct sagging skin and hollowed-out facial features. A facelift is one of these options.
Getting a facelift in Toronto and you don’t know where to start? Looking for a reputable facelift surgeon in Toronto? Or maybe you are still on the fence about getting cosmetic surgery done but don’t know how much a facelift costs? Let us guide you on the specifics and pertinent details.
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery that aims to minimize the appearance of saggy skin folds, particularly in the cheeks, jowls, and chin area. It is also referred to as a rhytidectomy in the medical world.
Since loose skin cannot be fully returned to its original state, part of it has to be removed to make the face look smoother and more youthful. A facelift may be done together with other cosmetic surgery procedures, including eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty, to minimize the total downtime.
Facelifts are restorative surgeries that may require a few weeks for recovery, depending on the type of surgery used.
How is it done?
The level of invasiveness varies for each type of facelift procedure. A traditional facelift typically involves making an incision near the hairline near the temples, in the creases of the earlobe, behind the ear, and underneath the chin so that any scars formed are less visible.
Stitches or sutures used may dissolve over time, but some stitches may still need to be removed by your surgeon sometime after the procedure. The affected area is disinfected and bandaged afterward. Some swelling after the surgery is expected and may be managed using drains or medication.
Why does our skin sag?
Our skin will naturally hang down as we age due to the force of gravity. Truth is, we need gravity to survive but its effects on our bodies are less than pretty sometimes. Our skin also loses its elasticity for other reasons, including age, weight loss or the loss of fat deposits, medical conditions, and heredity. Other external factors such as stress, smoking, and sun damage may also contribute to the loss of skin laxity.
Why get a facelift?
To experience sagging skin is completely normal. Some people may choose to keep their skin the way it is, which is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. However, some people will want to do something about their appearance to make themselves look younger and healthier, and there is definitely nothing wrong with this.
There are many disadvantages of sagging skin, including:
- Loose skin is sometimes highly uncomfortable and may cause itchiness around the area.
- It’s harder to apply makeup to sagging skin because of the uneven textures.
- Lax skin due to medical conditions, sudden weight loss, or premature aging may cause you to look older than you are, causing low self-esteem issues.
Everyone has their own life story, and we at Visage are more than ready to help you get amazing results from a Facelift in Toronto that suit your lifestyle.
Types of facelift procedures
Mid-face lift
The mid-face lift targets the middle part of the face, especially the skin around the cheeks. As we age, the skin around the cheeks will start to sag and form a hollow appearance. A mid-face lift can reset the cheeks so that they sit a bit higher, making the face appear fuller and more youthful.
A mid-face lift may require some fat grafting in some cases. You do not need an additional procedure for fat grafting since this is done concurrently with your mid-face lift. Fatty deposits underneath the chin are typically used to achieve a plumper, fuller effect on the cheeks.
Mini facelift
Some people who show early signs of aging or are simply not ready for a full traditional facelift may choose to have a mini facelift, otherwise known as a short scar facelift. It is less invasive than a traditional facelift and requires a shorter recovery period, but usually has less pronounced effects.
A mini facelift is done by creating very small incisions along the hairline and in the folds of the ear. The procedure targets the muscular area under the skin, known as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer. A mini facelift may be done in one of two ways:
Endoscopic facelift. This uses a tiny camera and other equipment to guide the doctor with the incisions and repositioning of fat and other tissue underneath the skin. The endoscopic method is less invasive than the non-endoscopic technique, typically requiring only a half-inch incision.
Non-endoscopic facelift. The second method does not use a camera or any special equipment to guide the cosmetic surgeon. Your doctor will simply make an incision and perform the surgery based on what he sees. A non-endoscopic facelift will require longer incisions than an endoscopic procedure, but they will still be much smaller compared to a traditional facelift.
One advantage of a mini facelift is a shorter recovery time. Patients can expect to return to their normal activities within a week of their procedure. The surgery also requires less time to complete than a traditional facelift and costs much less. A mini facelift may be done using local anesthesia, depending on the patient’s pain tolerance and other pertinent factors.
A mini facelift may be a good choice if you just have minimal sagging around the jowl and chin area. Addressing these problem areas early minimizes the need for further surgeries in the future.
Neck lift
The neck is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of aging. A neck lift addresses sagging skin, excess fat, and lax muscle tone. Patients may opt to undergo other procedures in conjunction with their neck lift to reduce their downtime and achieve more seamless results.
Having a reputable cosmetic surgeon to assess your needs is crucial. Dr. DuPéré as a highly trained, skilled, and compassionate surgeon will sit down with you and determine what you need versus what is physically possible.
Brow lift
Horizontal lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows add years to a person’s countenance. Those prominent lines look so harsh and are very noticeable in person. A brow lift can tighten the forehead and brow area, restructuring your face into a more relaxed, younger version. However, if done incorrectly, you could end up with a surprised look on your face.
When looking for facelift surgeons in Toronto, consider their educational background, experience, and popularity with patients.
Traditional facelift
A traditional facelift is best for patients with pronounced loss of skin elasticity. Incisions are made around the hairline, under the chin, and in the creases of the ears where they may be hidden naturally. Excess skin, fat, muscle, and other tissues are removed and the skin is sutured together to create a firmer, younger appearance.
In traditional facelifts, patients may expect a recovery period lasting 10 to 14 days. Though this type of surgery is more invasive than the others above, the effects are more drastic and long-lasting.
Deep plane facelift
The skin has three layers of tissue, called “planes,” that may be manipulated using facelifts. These planes are as follows:
- Superficial plane, the outermost layer of skin
- Mid plane, or the SMAS
- Deep plane, consisting of muscle tissue underneath the SMAS
Deep plane facelifts move the deep plane and mid plane as one, making for a more drastic final result. The use of this technique depends on the severity of skin laxity and the target area.
Who is a good candidate for a facelift?
Any man or woman who has skin laxity, sagging jowls, deeply etched lines, and wrinkles may be a good candidate for a facelift. The most important thing is to find a good doctor from a respectable clinic who will help you set your expectations and give you the best possible surgery for your unique facial structure.
Keep in mind that facelifts have a risk for minimal scarring, which may lead to problems for those who tend to form keloids. Discuss your medical history and options thoroughly with your doctor before you go through any type of surgery.
How do I prepare for my facelift?
Before your surgery, Dr. DuPéré will review all of your medications and ask you to temporarily discontinue the use of any blood thinners. Blood-thinning agents, including aspirin, warfarin, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E may cause excessive bleeding during and after the procedure.
He will conduct a thorough examination of your face to determine which areas to target and which procedure to use. He will also go through the risks and possible outcomes with you to set realistic expectations and make sure that you understand what you need to do for a swifter recovery.
Since anesthesia will be used, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery. Recovery may be slow and uncomfortable, so make sure that you have someone help you during your downtime. Keep in mind that you may not be well enough to prepare meals or do work around the house.
What you put in your body is often more important than what you apply to it. Avoid smoking, drinking, and unhealthy food before and after your surgery to ensure that you are in top condition. Doing this will help you to heal faster. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you to avoid free radical damage, which contributes to wrinkles, skin conditions, and skin cell damage.
How much does a facelift cost?
A traditional facelift in Toronto will cost around $20,000+. If you opt for a mini facelift, expect it to set you back around $10,000. Realistically speaking, facelift surgery is not cheap. And for good reason!
An expertly trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. DuPéré has many things to consider before even starting your procedure. He has to map out your entire facial structure and determine, through years of training and practice, how to go about your individualized surgery.
It takes skill and a good deal of knowledge to be considered a good plastic surgeon. Thus, you may want to reassess your options if you encounter a deal that is simply too good to be true because it probably is. It’s your face we’re talking about! You do not want some rushed, half-baked surgery that wasn’t planned out to perfection. Trust us, with our renowned clinic, you will get more than what you pay for.
No two faces are the same. Each one has different muscles and tissues underneath, plus various needs, textures, and issues. We have the best and most admired facelift surgeon in Toronto to make certain that your unique features are treated with the utmost respect and restored as best as possible. Rest assured that your facelift surgery or any other cosmetic procedures are carefully planned and tailored to your exact specifications.
What to expect after your facelift in Toronto
There may be some pain and swelling, which is normal because you will have just undergone a surgical procedure. Your doctor may give you pain meds and creams to alleviate any discomfort and to prevent bacterial infection at the incision sites.
For traditional facelifts, you will need at least two weeks before you can resume your regular activities, including exercise. During your recovery period, it’s important to take it easy, avoid direct sunlight, and take your medications as necessary.
Everyone heals at a different rate, though. Some people may recuperate much more easily than others. Make sure you consult with your doctor to determine if you’re ready to come back to work or resume your workouts.
Facelifts cannot change your fundamental facial structure, so don’t expect to come out looking like a movie star after your procedure. Your facelift will remove excess skin and restore a more youthful appearance, but it is not a hundred percent effective for eliminating wrinkles, and it cannot fully reverse the progress of aging.
Any uneven skin tone, dark spots, age spots, and scars may still be in place after your surgery. Some skin issues may be treated together with your facelift surgery. Discuss your goals with Dr. DuPéré so that they can help you make them happen.
How long is the recovery period?
You will be able to resume your daily routine within 2 to 3 weeks after your procedure. Most of the pain, swelling and general discomfort will have dissipated by this time. Keep in mind that more invasive facelift treatments involve deeper layers of the skin, which is why they take more time to heal completely. As your skin heals, the full effects of your surgery will become more visible. You will be able to see the final results within 3 to 6 months.
Expect to have a follow-up session where your doctor will assess how far your recovery has come and whether your incisions are healing as they should.
Can non-surgical facelifts work as effectively?
No, unfortunately, non-surgical facelifts will not give you results as drastic and long-lasting as surgical treatments. You may be able to see some positive effects such as smoother skin, but these are usually temporary and last only for a few months.
How long will a facelift last?
A facelift, even a minimally invasive one, will last for a long time if you take care of your skin and maintain a healthy weight. Many people will find that the results of their facelift will last throughout their lifetimes as long as they are mindful of their lifestyles.
Sadly, some things are out of our control, such as gravity and the effects of aging. Top facelift experts will tell you that in 10 to 15 years, you might find some troublesome sagging skin once again.
