Maybe no one wants to say goodbye to youth and beauty. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are ready to argue with time: with their help, patients can "stop" the aging process, maintain youth and at the same time naturalness. But is it possible to entrust your face to someone without fear? How to choose a good clinic and a competent specialist from the abundance of tempting offers?
What is face lifting for?
With age, the appearance and contours of the face change due to natural physiological processes. There are many reasons for this: hormonal imbalances, slowing of metabolic processes, decreased production of collagen, changes in the composition of bone tissue, loss of fat packets in some places and their appearance in others. unwanted, and so on. As a result, facial tissues lose their volume and elasticity, the skin becomes flabby and loose.
No matter how good care, effective folk methods and cosmetic procedures are used, time will do its part: all these products can affect only the upper layers of the skin. Even if it turns out to delay the appearance of superficial wrinkles for a long time, it will not be possible to stop or completely change the processes taking place in the deep tissues with the help of all the above.
On a noteThe advent of modern technology has allowed surgical services to reaffirm their position. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), today our country is in the TOP 15 in the world in terms of the number of plastic surgeries performed. In 2017, the local plastic surgery market reached a record turnover in the last five years, growing by more than 30%. The demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow. The third most popular of all types of plastic surgery is face lifting.
How totestimonyptosis appears first for face lifting. It is a prolapse of the soft tissues of the face due to the gradual loss of skin elasticity and tone, deterioration of muscle contractility. Ptosis may predominate in a specific part of the face:
- in the lower third of the face- ptosis (sagging) of neck and chin tissue against the background of relaxation and increase in skin area. This leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases on the neck and a clear chin-cervical angle;
- in the middle third of the face- nasolabial folds, nasal tears, bags under the eyes and drooping cheeks, distorting the oval of the face;
- in the upper third of the face- wrinkles in the forehead, sagging of the outer edges of the eyebrows and corners of the eyes, overhanging of the eyelids, formation of horizontal wrinkles in the bridge of the nose.
These age-related signs of tissue aging can be compensated for by a variety of facial plastic surgery and professional cosmetology techniques. However, when it comes to surgery, it is important not to forget about the other side of the coin - the contraindications.
Contraindications:
- malignancies;
- violation of blood clotting;
- epilepsy and severe psychosomatic illnesses;
- untreated hypertension;
- diseases of the internal organs;
- dermatological diseases;
- in the stage of exacerbation of a chronic disease;
- pregnancy;
- inflammatory and infectious processes.
On a note
Aging, although not very pleasant, is a natural process in which the natural anthropometric proportions of the face must be maintained, despite the fact that it is accompanied by the appearance of gravitational ptosis, that is, physiological loss of tissue volume and tissue formation. skin folds and wrinkles. Therefore, from the very beginning of the tissue degenerative process, it is better to choose finer exposure methods that do not give a pronounced "adjusted" facial effect.
Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, of course, has come a long way and its potential is now great. However, be aware that complications are possible after plastic surgery - surgeons are well aware of them and know how to minimize side effects. However, some complications can be protracted and even dangerous, which is why it is so important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.
Here is an overview of the most popular face lifting methods today - it will give you an idea of the "arsenal" of modern aesthetic surgery and cosmetology clinics.
Types of braces
Nowadays, plastic surgeons are able to perform facelift procedures for every taste, because modern medical possibilities allow it. Each technique has its supporters among both doctors and patients. Let's take a closer look at how these methods differ.
Surgical face lifting methods
These methods allow you to act on the deep tissues of the face, so they can have a lasting effect. The most popular and effective are endoscopic face lifting and SMAS-lifting - they are aimed at a comprehensive solution to age-related problems. They redistribute the soft tissues of the face and tighten the skin.
Circular face lifting (complex face and neck correction) -a combined method of surgical reconstitution that incorporates several techniques.
- Indications: loss of tissue volume, "floating" contour, large amounts of excess loose tissue, deep wrinkles and other age-related changes.
- Contraindications: diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, nervous and other systems, as well as liver and kidney, haematological and skin pathologies, inflammatory and infectious processes, pregnancy and lactation - laboratory and instrumental studies are required to determine contraindications, consultseveral professionals. . .
- Injuries: high. This is a complete operation, so when choosing this technique, you should be aware of the severity of the expected intervention.
- Performing: Long incisions are made with a circular scalpel lift, followed by deep tissue modeling, transposition of fat bags and excision of excess skin. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. After that it is necessary to stay in the hospital (up to two days) and a rehabilitation period of at least one month.
- The result- the most pronounced and long-lasting compared to all other techniques. Possible complications include scarring, damage to the facial nerve and its branches, and extensive hematomas.
- pluses: the most effective procedure for lifting a face with excessive amount of tissue, the ability to eliminate shortcomings that other methods can not cope with.
- Minuses: major injury, relatively serious risk of complications, long rehabilitation period.
Endoscopic face lift -an advanced form of surgical intervention for the deep correction of age-related changes using video endoscopic equipment. As you can see, this method uses an endoscope with a multi-millimeter-sized camcorder that transmits a magnified image to the monitor. So the doctor can clearly see the work area with the nerve bundles and vessels in it. Endoscopic lifting of the face and neck is performed under general anesthesia. Varieties are endoscopic lifting of the upper, middle or lower third of the face - each of the operations is used depending on which part of the face the problem is to be solved. It is possible to work with separate zones or combine several types of interventions. With endoscopic facial lifting, there is little trauma to the blood vessels and complete control over the operation is available, and the risk of serious complications is virtually ruled out if all rules and recommendations are followed. Tissue swelling, minor bruising and temporary hair loss are possible in the intervention area, but over time the tissue is completely restored.
- Indications: deep wrinkles and creases, effects of soft tissue thinning, lack of tissue volume due to age changes, sagging of the eyelids, sagging of the eyebrows and other aesthetic problems.
- Contraindications: oncology, acute chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, skin coagulation disorders, pregnancy and lactation.
- Injuries: medium. The device allows you to avoid large incisions and control the location of blood vessels and nerves.
- Performing the procedure: In general anesthesia, small incisions are made (up to 1. 5 cm), followed by deep removal of the face mask and tissue manipulation under the control of video endoscopic equipment: removal of muscle and fat packs, tightening and fixation. At the end, cosmetic sutures are applied. The sutures are removed within five to seven days, and the patient can return to normal after two to three weeks.
- The result: the patient looks 10-15 years younger and does not lose his natural individuality - the skin is smoothed, volumes are replenished, but natural symmetry is maintained. The duration of exposure depends on individual characteristics, the presence of bad habits and behavioral stereotypes, but in general the outcome can last up to 20 years. If we talk about possible negative consequences, then everything is limited to swelling and small bruises.
- Pluseshigh safety and low level of injuries, possibility of complete control with a video camera, absence of visible traces of surgery, pronounced restorative effect.
- Minuses: In the early rehabilitation period, the effect of excessive correction is observed, the technique is poorly suited for patients with very large excess skin.
Lifting the SMAS- an effective method of surgical tightening with modeling of the muscular-aponeurotic layer. Most foreign plastic surgeons believe that this layer is mainly associated with the aging process of the middle and lower thirds of the face.
- Indications: signs of aging in the form of skin slimming and loss of elasticity, wrinkles, blurred facial contours.
- Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, coagulation disorders, pregnancy.
- Performing the procedure: During the operation, the skin is tightened, the muscle tissue is moved and fixed after the excess is excised. The operation lasts for several hours, after which a recovery period of about a month is required.
- The resultdurable, lasting up to eight years, but not as pronounced as with endoscopic lifting. Possible complications include nerve damage, hematomas and edema.
- plusesmethods: noticeable lifting effect, removal of excess skin.
- Minuses: risk of complications, scars around the ears (forehead and behind the ears).
Non-surgical skin tightening
This is a group of techniques, the use of which allows to obtain a lifting effect without significant skin damage. Such approaches have gained popularity due to the possibility to perform a facelift procedure without surgery, that is, in a more gentle way with a minimal rehabilitation period. Unfortunately, this inevitably affects the severity and duration of exposure.
Hardware cosmetologyincludes methods that apply the effects of ultrasound, radio waves, or laser lifting to tissues without compromising their integrity.
- Indications: loss of wrinkles, skin firmness and clear contours.
- Contraindications: oncology, chronic diseases, inflammatory skin diseases, pregnancy.
- Injuries: none or almost none.
- Performing: during the procedure there is an effect on the problem area with special equipment, in which case it is not necessary to use general anesthesia and a long rehabilitation period. The patient can return to their business immediately, just follow the doctor's recommendations. Some procedures require a few sessions, while others require a course of procedures.
- The result: restores firmness and turgor, smoothes wrinkles, stimulates natural collagen and elastin production. The result is less durable than after surgical tightening, and it depends very much on both the characteristics of the patient's body and the specifics of the chosen technique. The effect usually lasts two to three years.
- pluses- visible effect without injuries, lack of painful feelings and the need for long-term rehabilitation, skin tightening.
- Minuses- inability to eliminate many pronounced problems of aging, less noticeable and lasting result, the need to repeat the course.
Injections -introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid, collagen or botulinum toxin to combat age-related changes.
- Indications: wrinkles, lack of volume.
- Contraindications: severe chronic exacerbations, skin disorders, violation of skin integrity, coagulation disorders, individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation.
- Injuries: The contouring procedure is considered less traumatic, but there is a risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves with the needle.
- Performing: It usually takes less than an hour to complete the procedure. Only application anesthesia can be used, after which the medicine is injected into the problem area with a needle or cannula. With the help of the filler you can remove the tear grooves of the nose, nasolabial folds, correct the lack of volume in the middle and lower third of the face. Botulinum toxin is only injected into the muscles to relieve hypertension and then smooth out wrinkles. Also in this way it is quite possible to "lift" the lowered corners of the mouth. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal work and perform it according to the doctor's recommendations.
- The result: The procedures allow you to replenish and eliminate wrinkles, but the result depends on the characteristics of the patient's body and the choice of medicine. The effect can last for three-six months to one year or one and a half years.
- pluses: low trauma, possibility to correct the result if it was unsatisfactory, no need for rehabilitation and general anesthesia.
- Minuses: temporary result, need for repetition, visual correction of only superficial imperfections.
The cost of facial rejuvenation procedures: can't you buy youth?
When choosing a clinic, it is worth remembering the well-known phrase: "You get what you pay for. " Any facelift is a procedure that requires modern equipment, quality medication and anesthesia, providing the patient with special living conditions and, most importantly, a high degree of surgeon qualification. If the price of this type of service is suspiciously low, it means that some (or all) of these points are not met and the clinic may not be licensed at all. However, the beauty and health of the facial skin cannot be saved. The public is aware of a lot of stories about patients who, having once decided to save, were later forced to spend much larger sums not only on the aesthetic correction of a failed operation, but also on the restoration of their health.
On average, the price of a deep surgical face lift for two areas of the face starts from a rather impressive amount, if you have to perform more serious manipulations with a combination of techniques, you will have to spend even more. The exact costs can only be found out in a consultation, as the extent of the intervention depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. It is about age, skin quality, the amount of unwanted tissue, the type of facial structure, as well as the person's own wishes and much more.
Hardware (ultrasonic) SMAS facelift is not too cheap, the price is greatly influenced by the number of lines. The cost of contouring with excipients depends on the drug and the amount of administration required.
The technologies that allow the return of youth are constantly being improved, expanding the possibilities of modern aesthetic medicine. Today, plastic surgeons are able to prevent almost all age-related changes, and with the introduction of endoscopic technology, it has become possible to reduce surgical trauma. So the use of modern equipment, an individual approach and the use of advanced techniques are all that people who want to look refurbished can count on.
Where can I go to the procedure?
Recommendations for the choice of aesthetic medicine center and specialist are provided by an expert - plastic surgeon:
"Since the popularity of plastic surgery and cosmetology, a large number of specialized clinics have appeared on the market. Unfortunately, some of these institutions do not meet high standards of medical care and employ dishonest specialists. resources required for the work.
In order to find a high-class doctor and a comfortable clinic, it is necessary to research as much information as possible about the specialists and the institution itself. First of all, do not hesitate to ask for a license for the right to perform medical activities, certificates, medical diplomas. . . In addition, all these documents must be publicly available on the site. It is necessary that the license reflects the requirements of the procedure for the provision of medical care "Plastic Surgery" approved by the order of the Ministry of Health. Attention should also be paid to the documents proving the current surgeon's certificate. It is worth finding out what the status of the clinic is, whether it has sufficient funding for the purchase of quality equipment and whether the medical institution has experience in performing the necessary procedures and photographs of illustrative examples. It is desirable that the institution has been operating for more than a year: if the clinic has a long history, it shows that patients (and supervisory authorities) have already developed a reliable attitude towards this treatment institution.
An important selection criterion is the wide range of services provided and the integrated approach to solving the patient's aesthetic problems in one place: from diagnostic procedures to plastic surgery and professional cosmetology.