Everyone ages differently, but the one constant of aging is the appearance of wrinkles. As you grow older, your skin loses some of its fatty deposits and collagen. The result is looser skin and, ultimately, wrinkles. Although the American Academy of Dermatology notes that the aging process begins to affect your skin as early as your 20s, most people do not develop wrinkles until much later. Face lifts serve to tighten skin and minimize wrinkles to give you a more youthful appearance.
Traditional Face Lift
A surgeon can perform a traditional face lift under local or general anesthesia. A traditional face lift consists of a surgeon making an incision around the hairline and behind the ears at the base of the scalp. He then pulls the skin taut, removing any excess skin and fatty tissue. When the process is complete, the surgeon stitches up the incisions. Bruises and puffiness in the facial area may persist for up to six weeks. Traditional face lifts often leave minor scars.
Threadlift
A threadlift, also referred to as a "mini lift," is less invasive than a traditional face lift. During a threadlift, the cosmetic surgeon uses numerous small incisions and clear threads to lift and tighten specific areas of the face. The University of California School of Medicine notes that while the results from a threadlift are not permanent and typically last only three to five years, the procedure itself often takes less than an hour and can significantly reduce the appearance of sagging skin. If the patient is uncomfortable or otherwise unhappy with the results, a threadlift is reversible.
Temporal Lift
Sometimes referred to as a "forehead lift," a temporal lift tightens only skin in the forehead area. Although a temporal lift can help alleviate wrinkles, the Drexel University College of Medicine notes that many individuals opt for a temporal lift to help correct naturally furrowed brows. Temporal lifts can also improve the vision of individuals with particularly low-lying eyebrows. In some cases, a temporal lift can make it difficult to furrow your brow or raise your eyebrows. Additional surgery can be performed to correct these problems, should they occur.
Nonsurgical Face Lift
Nonsurgical face lifts involve damaging the skin beneath the top layer of epidermis, prompting it to produce additional collagen for healing. The healing process pulls the skin tighter, temporarily minimizing wrinkles. One variety of nonsurgical face lift, known as "Thermage," uses radio frequencies to prompt tightening of the skin. While not a replacement for a traditional face lift, nonsurgical face lifts provide the patient with minimal recovery time and can tighten the skin by up to 30 percent without the risk of scarring.
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