Facelifts and Necklifts

As we get older, the tissues in the face and neck loosen. These changes occur as a result of heredity, gravity and environmental exposure. Jowls form over the jaw line and excess skin, fat and vertical bands may appear in the neck. A face lift (or cheek neck lift as Dr. Barr often refers to it) is an elegant cosmetic surgery designed to eliminate sagging skin and reestablish a more youthful appearance. The main areas treated by a facelift are the neck, cheeks, and jawline. After a facelift, you will look natural and more youthful, not stretched and artificial as some public figures seem.

During your initial consultation Dr. Lucy Barr, a Salt Lake City cosmetic surgery expert, will perform a thorough evaluation and your treatment options will be individually designed. Depending on the extent of tissue laxity, the type of facelift used may vary, and other procedures may be considered.

Facelift surgery involves re-positioning and supporting tissues that have started to sag as we age.  Lifting and contouring the support layers in the cheeks (SMAS layer) and the neck (Platysma, fat) restores an aesthetic contour, and excess skin is then removed through meticulously placed incisions. Over time, these incisions become well camouflaged in the hairline and natural creases.

In the appropriate patient, incisions can be limited in length, with an incision in front of the ear. This is termed a mini facelift frequently also called mini lift, MACS lift, SwiftLift™ or short scar face lift. These procedures primarily address the jawline. A neck lift alone can also be performed, primarily addressing the neck with an incision behind the ear. If you have little excess skin and only wish to eliminate some fat in your neck, neck liposuction may also be an appropriate technique. Additional procedures, such as implants, are also available, and may serve to augment your result. A well-defined chin can provide a better neck contour providing balance to the face and creating a pleasing profile. Cheek implants may also help give the face a fresh lifted and youthful look. A treatment plant to best meet your needs will be thoughtfully designed during your consultation with Dr. Barr, who will carefully tailor her technique specifically to meet your needs and desires.

In fact, there are even many non-surgical options available. It has become well understood in modern day aesthetic medicine, that it is not only necessary to re-position tissue, but also to refill, relax and resurface them. This is exactly how a non-surgical face lift or liquid facelift works. As we age, not only does the soft tissue sag, but we lose fat in our faces. Replacing or refilling volume where it is lost can create the effect of a lift and restore a more youthful appearance. The fillers used for this purpose (such as sculptra, juvederm, restylane, and radiesse) can be administered in the office. More permanent volume replacement is obtained by transferring your own fat. Smoothing out unwanted lines that occur from repetitive expressions like frowning is also a part of a liquid facelift. Neuromodulators (including Botox and Dysport) will help these expressions relax and over time soften the wrinkles they cause. Last but not least, your skin may require resurfacing, meaning a laser or chemical peel treatment applied to the surface to brighten skin tone and smooth out brown spots and wrinkles. For those who want an alternative to surgery, the non surgical face lift provides a great way to achieve results. The combination of these techniques can provide a rejuvenated and youthful appearance without the down time of surgery. Whether you are considering a facelift, a neck lift, a mini facelift or a non surgical face lift, take advantage of a consultation with Dr. Barr so you can decide together which option is best for you. Call to book your appointment at 801-532-0204.

Once the procedure is completed, patients typically receive comments that they look younger, rested and refreshed. They may even entertain questions regarding the loss of weight. Patients also report an increased sense of well-being. Our results exemplify our philosophy of a natural rejuvenation where everybody notices, but nobody knows.

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facelift before and after
facelift side view before and after

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