Skin Club by DermaGenesis

As we age, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of our daily lives can be seen in our faces. Supportive structures tend to stretch and deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jawline droops (jowling), and the neck becomes fatty and loose (turkey gobbler). Sometimes creases begin to form between the nose and the mouth. A facelift can "reset the clock" on the aging process, enhance appearance and restore a more youthful and refreshed look. In order to have a more complete balance, a facelift is commonly performed in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift (brow lift), eyelid surgery, fat injection or nose reshaping.

Surgical procedure

There are a variety of incision locations, depending on the problem areas, and they are usually very well hidden above the hairline at the temples, in a natural line in front of the ear, and behind the ear to the lower scalp. Through the discreet facelift incisions, the plastic surgeon is able to free the skin from the underlying tissues to the extent necessary for the particular surgical technique selected. After the skin has been pulled up and back, the excess is removed. In some instances, the deeper tissues may also need to be repositioned in order to restore a more youthful contour to the face. If necessary, a small incision beneath the chin permits the removal of fatty tissue in that area and smoothing of the cord-like structures of the underlying muscle in the neck. By redistributing the fat and tightening these structures, a fresher, more youthful appearance can be restored.
Facial liposuction is used to treat sagging jowls, a double chin and "turkey neck" by removing excess fat. For those with less severe signs of facial aging, a mini-facelift, can achieve a significant amount of improvement with fewer incisions and less recovery time. If the problem areas are limited to the neck, a more conservative procedure, known as a "platysmaplasty" will be recommended.

Post surgery

After surgery, the patient must restrict their activities and simply relax for a few days. Elevating the head when sleeping will help to minimize swelling and bruising. Patients might notice puffiness and discoloration, which may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Generally, the greatest amount of swelling occurs 24 to 48 hours after surgery, but it may take several weeks before all puffiness is resolved. Most bruising will disappear within two weeks.
Patients will also experience some numbness in the facial area, which may be present for several weeks or longer. The stitches will be removed from four to seven days after surgery. Most often, they will be able to resume most activities within two weeks and begin to exercise three to four weeks after surgery.

Results

The results of the facelift may be dramatic or subtle. Since the healing process is gradual, patients should expect to wait at least several weeks for an accurate picture of their "new look." Additional minor changes may occur over several months.

Safety, risks and side effects

Some of the potential complications include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, reactions to anaesthesia and injury to underlying structures, though it is usually only temporary. Facelift incisions are most often inconspicuous, but this is not entirely predicable due to individual variations in healing.

Cost

Cost is influenced by the surgeon's skills and the hospital ranking. On an average, it may range from RM 6000 to RM 9000 for a face lift.