There comes a time when the signs of ageing become very apparent. Skin begins looking deflated, droopy and wrinkled, swamping what were once beautifully sharp cheekbones and chiselled jawlines. Features that are, in fact, still very much intact – just hidden by the unpleasant effects of gravity. It’s no wonder that so many of us find it hard to connect with the ageing face we see in the mirror. Inside we’re eternally 25.
As part of the aging process which happens to all of us sooner or later, our skin progressively loses its elasticity and our muscles tend to slacken. The stresses of daily life, effects of gravity and exposure to sun can be seen on our faces. The folds and smile lines deepen, the corners of the mouth droop, the jaw line sags, and the skin of the neck becomes slack.
Around the eyes, the eyebrows droop and the skin of the eyelids gathers in loose folds. In the skin the first sign is fine wrinkles developing around the lips, at the outer corners of the eye and lines of expression. The rate at which this happens varies from one person to another and is probably determined by our genes. Aging of the skin of the face does not necessarily reflect the rate that the rest of our body and mind is ageing and many people feel frustrated that the face they see in the mirror is not the one they feel should be there. Substantial weight loss can produce similar changes in facial appearance to those of the aging process.
A facelift is an operation to tighten and lift the loose muscles and skin of your face below the eyes. (Anything above the eyes is a browlift.) A neck-lift tightens and lifts the skin of the neck.
As you age, your skin gets less elastic and droops, and your facial muscles slacken. The natural fat under the skin also sags, making you look older. The rate this happens at varies from person to person and is probably determined by your genes. The stresses of daily life, the effect of gravity and exposure to the sun also affect your face. Drastic weight loss can also age the face. The rate your face ages does not necessarily reflect the rate that the rest of your body and mind is ageing, and you may feel that the face you see in the mirror is not the one you should have.
A facelift gives the best results if your face and neck have started to sag but your skin still has some elasticity and your bone structure is strong and well defined. Most people who have facelifts are in their 40s to 60s, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their 70s or 80s. It should not be obvious that you have had a facelift, but you should look younger, healthier, lively and cheerful. Often facelifts are combined with fat grafting for more pleasing and natural results.