Ask Dr. Man- Facelift

Dear Dr. Man, I’m 45 years old and I’m in great shape. The problem is that I have the body of a 30 year old but the face of a 50 year old. I have droopy eyebrows and wrinkles on my forehead. I really want to get a facelift, but I never thought people so young get them. Can you please give me more details about a facelift and tell me if I’m too young to get one? Signed, Molly in Boca

Dear Molly, The face of plastic surgery has really changed over the years. It used to be that most people getting facelifts were in their late 50’s or early sixties. Nowadays, we see people coming in earlier (usually in their mid-forties). Since there are less drastic, more minimally-invasive procedures, patients no longer need to wait until aging is extreme.

Today’s facelifts have evolved from years past. They entail more than just lifting and tightening of the skin. There are many excellent procedures out there, depending on each patient’s individual needs.

One procedure is a full facelift, which addresses the mid-face, jowls and neck area. Incisions begin at the temples and go under and beyond the ears, extending laterally into the nape. With a full facelift, the skin and tissue are repositioned and fat is often reduced, repositioned and sometimes added. Then, the skin is redraped and excess skin is removed.

Another procedure is a mid-facelift, which uses similar techniques as a full facelift, but generally does not include work on the neck and jowls. The incisions begin at the temples and go under the ears or begin at the temples and curve back into the hairline just above the ears.

Another alternative for people whose problems lie mainly in the top part of their face is a forehead lift (a.k.a. “brow lift”). A forehead lift can help reduce deep creases, horizontal lines and furrows in the forehead. It can also help lift heavy, droopy eyebrows that can create a hooding effect over the eyes. The procedure helps restore a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. It also helps to improve the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired. The procedure is done with an endoscope using small incisions.

The best way to decide which procedure is right for you is to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Good luck!

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.