Surgical facelift or HIFU?
Are you considering a surgical facelift?
In this blog, we compare surgical facelift in comparison to the relatively new non-invasive skin tightening treatment, HiFu or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound.
WHAT IS A SURGICAL FACELIFT?
Surgical facelifts, also called a rhytidectomy, have been performed on patients since the early 1900’s. It is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to create a younger, streamlined jawline, smoothing out folds on the cheeks, and reducing saggy skin. During a face-lift, a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. Tissues below the skin are altered, and excess skin is removed.
For patients wishing for a dramatic, instantly (fairly long-lasting, up to 10 years) younger looking face, this procedure continues to be incredibly popular, particularly with the rise of apps and filters on phones making ‘fake’ adjustments to the face, intensifying the desire to look younger.
WHAT DOES A SURGICAL FACELIFT PROCEDURE INVOLVE?
The surgical facelift is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, however, it is occasionally performed safely and effectively under local anaesthetic and sedation.
The facelift procedure will vary depending on the clinic and desired outcome, but most surgeons will:
make cuts (incisions) above the hairline at the temples that extend down in front of your ear, underneath your earlobe and behind the ear
make cuts under the chin if the jawline is also being lifted
remove the surplus facial skin
pull the remaining skin backwards and upwards before stitching it into its new position
sometimes redistribute facial fat and tissue or add this to the face
bandage the face to minimise bruising and swelling
The procedure will take approximately 2 to 3 hours, and most people need to stay in hospital overnight.
There may be some pain afterwards, for which pain killers can be administered, and downtime (the time it will take for you to resume normal activities) is around 2 to 4 weeks. And you will need to take this time off work to fully recover, and avoid any complications arising from the surgery. During this time, bruising will be visible, and it could take up to 6 to 9 months to see the full effect of the facelift.
IS A SURGICAL FACELIFT SAFE?
There are many benefits a surgical facelift can bring when aspiring to achieve your personal goals to look younger, but you will have to weigh up the risks and potential complications that come with facelift surgery.
The main risk factors associated with surgical facelifts are bleeding, hematoma, and infection, while rare, other risks include:
Reaction to anesthesia
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Facial nerve injury with weakness
Fluid accumulation
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Persistent pain
Poor wound healing and skin loss
Prolonged swelling
Skin irregularities and discoloration
Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incisions
Unfavorable scarring
There is always a risk that the procedure is carried out unsatisfactorily, this is where you operate due diligence when choosing a surgeon. Unsatisfactory results may include asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions.
All these risks and others should be fully discussed prior to your consent being given for the facelift surgery. You should feel that you can ask questions and be given satisfactory answers.
HOW MUCH WOULD A SURGICAL FACELIFT COST?
Another important factor when making comparisons to procedures is the cost. In the UK, the cost of a facelift can vary greatly from clinic to clinic and depending on the extent of the procedure. Expect to pay anything from a few thousand pounds for a mini facelift to £10,000 for a face and neck lift.
WHAT IS A HIFU FACELIFT?
Have you heard of Ultrasound HiFu skin lifting and tightening treatment? It is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure with almost no downtime. Ultrasound HiFu is fast becoming the go-to alternative to surgical facelifts due to little or no risk associated with it, and the affordability and accessibility of the treatment.
More and more people are choosing a HiFu facelift over surgical facelift because of its numerous benefits. Here are some of its benefits of taking the HIFU Facelift treatment:
Reduces wrinkles and tightens saggy skin
Lifts the cheeks, eyebrows, and eyelids
Defines the jawline and tightens the décolletage
Natural looking and long-lasting results
No downtime, safe and effective
HOW DOES ULTRASOUND HIFU WORK?
The Ultrasound HiFu facelift procedure is non-invasive, so does not require surgical incisions. It uses the latest in Ultrasound technology to tighten loose skin in the cheeks, jawline and neck. The ultrasound stimulates collagen and elastin production, and triggers dermal collagen fibre regeneration, focussing on all layers of the skin from the epidermis through to the SMAS layer.
The skin is rapidly heated causing tissue coagulation necrosis, cavitation and heat shock in the cells, meaning that the portion of tissue which is being ablated is destroyed.
It can take some time for the body to naturally produce new collagen, usually around a couple of weeks. There might be slight redness, bruising, and/or swelling after the procedure.
HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST?
Good aftercare is important to arrive at and sustain the best possible results from HiFu treatment, with results gradually improving over the first couple of months. You can expect the results to last for 2-3 years, but this varies on the age and lifestyle of the patient. You will most likely need additional treatments once the natural aging process takes over. The good news is pricing for a full face and neck lift is around £750, making additional treatments affordable in comparison to a hefty cost for surgical facelift.
At Springwell clinic, we can only offer a consultation to discuss your needs and desired outcome in regards to the HiFu facelift procedure. It is entirely your decision as to which facelift procedure is best for you.
Read more on Ultrasound HiFu treatment here Ultrasound Hifu Treatment.
Why not contact us for a free consultation on 01628 308060, email hello@springwellclinic.co.uk, or book online here.