Facelift

As we age, we lose precious facial volume, and our skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Our body starts to decrease its production of collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping our skin structure firm and youthful. Muscle tone in the face also decreases, leading to looser facial features. All these factors lead to facial skin that sags and droops around the mouth and the jaw.

Once the swelling has mostly dissipated a few weeks after the surgery, you will be able to notice a significant improvement in the reduction of loose skin on your lower face and neck.

A facelift can significantly enhance the appearance of a double chin, excess fat, and turkey neck by tightening the neck skin, repositioning deeper structures, and removing excess skin. If you have more advanced neck aging, you can consider combining your facelift with a neck lift for comprehensive rejuvenation.

A properly performed facelift should not interfere with normal facial movements. Dr. Langsdon’s techniques respect natural anatomy, minimize risks such as facial nerve injury, and avoid placing unnecessary tension on the skin or muscles.

Most patients look socially presentable within two weeks, but full facelift results continue to refine over several months as swelling subsides and new collagen forms. By around the six‑month mark, your face will settle into its final, naturally rejuvenated appearance.

Many patients enhance their surgical results with treatments such as dermal fillers or laser resurfacing to address skin irregularities, sun damage, or acne scars. These options can improve skin tone, texture, and skin rejuvenation while complementing the structural improvements of facial rejuvenation surgery.

A full facelift will lift sagging on the cheeks, along the jaw, and on the neck. A mini facelift will address a smaller amount of sagging on the cheeks. The mid-facelift will lift sagging skin on the upper cheek.

In addition to the traditional facelift and mid-facelift, Dr. Phillip Langsdon also offers a deep plane facelift, a technique that he has mastered and contributed to through his own innovative surgical techniques that are now used by other leading facelift surgeons worldwide. During surgery, the deep plane facelift is designed to maintain the skin and underlying tissues in alignment with each other while detaching and repositioning the entire system as a single unit. As a result, there is no strain on the skin or muscle, allowing the facial tissue to be repositioned for a more natural, subtle, and permanent effect.

A facelift’s results will last for years, and the excision of sagging, excess skin is something that can’t be reversed. However, the aging process will still continue after the facelift is completed. The rate that a patient’s aging will progress will depend on their skin quality and its elasticity. Other factors like a patient’s age, hormonal balance, and lifestyle can affect their aging process after the facelift is performed. Patients who want to maintain their results can request a touch-up.

Those seeking a facelift in Memphis choose The Langsdon Clinic for our natural results. The “too-tight” look associated with the facelift is more of a result of a surgeon’s work or old facelift techniques. When performed correctly, a facelift should make someone look younger and more refreshed; they shouldn’t look any different or appear too artificial. The Langsdon Clinic creates natural and balanced results by respecting a patient’s tissues and facial anatomy. We take great care to personalize each facelift so that they fit perfectly for each patient.

Your scars from the facelift will eventually heal and then fade. First, the scars will look pale and red before the scar fully matures. About a week or two after the surgery, you will be able to safely cover the scars with makeup; however, it might take a few months to about a year before the scars fully fade. Your incisions will be in discreet locations where they will not be easily visible while you heal.

It’s recommended that patients take a week off of work or school and up to two weeks away from social events. Patients might still have some bruising at the two-week mark, but it should be easy to cover with makeup by then. While patients will be able to see their new youthful looks a few weeks after the surgery, patients might still have some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the incisions up to 5-6 months after the surgery. It might take up to a year before swelling has completely subsided.

The incisions are small and inobtrusive, going from the temple near the hairline, then traveling down in front of and around the ear. Most patients will also have a scar running below the chin that’s not easily noticeable.

Your facelift will take place in The Langsdon Clinic’s on-site, full-service outpatient facility, licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Health and providing a hospital-grade, if not higher, level of safety. During your facelift, you will work with our board-certified anesthesiologist and a highly professional, compassionate medical staff.

Since a traditional facelift only addresses signs of aging on the lower half of the face, it can be combined with other compatible procedures like the forehead lift and the eyelid lift.

As you grow older and become bothered by signs of aging, you may find a facelift to be the right solution. If any of the following apply to you, a facelift is an option to consider.

• The way the skin of your face and neck tends to sag makes you feel self-conscious.
• In the mirror, you see that your face makes you look a lot older than you feel.
• You’ve begun wearing scarves and turtlenecks to hide the folds in your neck.
• You feel that looking older than your years is negatively affecting your career or relationships.

After your facelift, you can expect an improvement in self-confidence, as your younger appearance will highlight your health and vitality. Dr. Langsdon can help you find the right facial rejuvenation procedure that aligns with your unique situation and goals. 

Your meeting with your doctor is a time for you to ask questions and be prepared to discuss:

• Your goals for this surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical issues you might have
• The medications, vitamins, and supplements you take, as well as your alcohol, tobacco, and drug use

You should also expect your doctor to:

• Inquire about your general state of health and any preexisting health conditions or risk factors
• Go over your facelift options with you
• Examine and take measurements and photographs of your face
• Discuss the expected outcomes of your facelift, as well as any risks or potential complications

It usually takes around two weeks before you can attend social functions and return to work. The more treatment that is needed, the longer the recovery.

If you have some visible swelling and bruising at the end of this period, it may not be noticeable to others, or it may be camouflaged with makeup.

If your job tends to be strenuous, you may need a little more time to ensure that healing is well underway.