Facelift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a procedure designed to help lift and remove excess facial tissue to reduce visible signs of aging in the face. Many people seek facelifts because of factors such as natural aging and significant fluctuations in weight. This procedure can address deep wrinkles or creases, asymmetry, and jowls.
If you are looking for a solution to the aforementioned concerns, look no further than Northwestern Plastic Surgery!
Dr. Utku Dolen, MD, is a board-certified plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon based in Algonquin, Illinois. Board-certified in both the United States and Europe, Dr. Dolen is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety, care, and professionalism. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a leader in his industry, presenting and contributing to groundbreaking research, as well as holding committee positions across multiple professional organizations.
To schedule your facelift consultation with Dr. Dolen, please call our Algonquin location at (847) 854-3522 or come visit our office in person!
Contents
About Facelifts
A facelift is a procedure that aims to help reduce sagging skin and laxity through the repositioning, lifting, and removal of excess facial tissue. (1) As patients age, the levels of elastin and collagen in the body can start to decline, leading to the appearance of deep wrinkles, creases, and even jowls. These effects can cause patients to be perceived as older than their actual age.
At Northwestern Plastic Surgery, we understand patients have a wide variety of concerns and treatment needs – that’s why we offer multiple variations of the facelift. Each variation comes with its own benefits to help patients feel more confident about their appearance.
SMAS Facelift
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is the structural layer that connects the facial skin to the underlying muscles. A SMAS facelift elevates the traditional facelift technique by not only addressing the top layer of skin but also adjusting the underlying tissue to help enhance the stability and longevity of the results. (2)
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is a type of facelift that offers a deeper, more comprehensive level of facial rejuvenation in patients experiencing severe skin laxity and facial sagging. This popular facelift variation is designed to adjust not only the skin and SMAS layers but also the underlying layers of muscle and tissue. The deep plane facelift offers the most consistent, longest-lasting results for each patient, with effects often lasting 10 to 15 years or longer.
Mini Facelift
The mini facelift is a variation of the traditional facelift that is designed to target mild to moderate levels of facial sagging and skin laxity. This variation offers both a shorter recovery time and shorter incisions. This procedure is less invasive and may be recommended for younger patients who are interested in targeting earlier signs of aging.
Facelift Benefits
There are many benefits a facelift can offer patients. This procedure can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and deep folds in the face and neck, restoring a more youthful appearance. Eliminating excess, sagging skin can help sculpt a more defined chin and jawline as well as enhance the face’s natural contours. Dr. Dolen can also customize each aspect of the procedure, combining treatments if needed to help each patient achieve their aesthetic goals. Each facelift also offers long-lasting results, helping patients feel more confident and comfortable for as long as a decade in some cases.
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for a facelift are those currently experiencing visual signs and symptoms of aging. This can include sagging skin in the neck and face, as well as the appearance of deep facial creases or wrinkles. All candidates interested in a facelift should be in good overall health and hold realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure. If applicable, candidates should be prepared to quit smoking several weeks before their procedure and fully refrain from nicotine or tobacco until healed.
To find out if you are an ideal candidate for this procedure, please visit our office or call (847) 854-3522.
Personal Consultation
Each patient is asked to sit down for a personal consultation with Dr. Dolen before their procedure. The consultation is a chance for our team to get to know each patient better and understand the motivations and goals behind their decision to get a facelift. After learning more about the patient’s medical history, Dr. Dolen will examine the face and neck to determine the best strategies and methods to restore a more youthful appearance. Once he establishes a custom treatment plan, he will prepare individualized preoperative and postoperative instructions to guide the patient through the process.
To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Dolen at our Algonquin office, please call (847) 854-3522 or visit our office.
Preparation
Dr. Dolen will provide each patient with personalized preoperative instructions to help patients prepare for their facelift. Generally speaking, patients should pre-arrange transportation home from their procedure, as well as any time away from work or other social commitments, to focus on resting. Many find it helpful to also arrange for a trusted individual to help them around the house throughout the first few days of recovery.
Medications and supplements with blood-thinning properties should be avoided, as well as excessive sun exposure or the use of tanning beds. Patients who smoke should cease the use of nicotine and tobacco several weeks before their appointment, refraining from use until fully healed. The consumption of alcohol should also be avoided for at least 48 hours before and after a facelift procedure.
Procedure
The procedure begins with the administration of anesthesia to ensure each patient feels fully relaxed and comfortable before their procedure begins. Dr. Dolen will make discreet incisions near the ears and hairline to minimize the potential for visible scarring. He will then lift and reposition the facial tissues, removing excess tissue as needed. The total duration of the procedure can vary depending on the type of facelift performed, the ideal outcomes, and the degree of necessary correction. A typical facelift can take anywhere between 4-6 hours, with some patients seeing shorter or longer durations.
Recovery & Results
Following a facelift, it can be common to experience bruising and swelling at the treatment site. These effects will gradually subside on their own, and any discomfort can be managed through the use of prescribed pain medication. While resting, patients are recommended to keep their heads elevated, avoid unprotected sun exposure, and avoid physical activity and other strenuous tasks. Patients can expect to return to work around two weeks after their initial appointment, but may also be asked to occasionally return to the office so that Dr. Dolen and his team can monitor the recovery.
After any residual swelling subsides, patients can enjoy a more youthful, radiant appearance. Patients will be able to notice more defined features and a tighter and smoother facial contour. The results of a facelift are long-lasting, with effects potentially lasting for up to a decade. Patients may be able to preserve their results by using the proper sun protection and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Corresponding Procedures
There are many corresponding procedures that Dr. Dolen can perform alongside a facelift to help achieve more substantial results. A popular procedure that can be performed alongside a facelift is blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or fat grafting to face. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin from upper eyelid or reduces the lower eyelid bags to give more youthful look. Patients who need blepharoplasty usually complain that they look tired. Fat grafting to face provides volume along with tightness provided with facelift.
Cost of a Facelift in Algonquin, Illinois
The cost of each facelift can differ between patients as each procedure is fully tailored to help each individual address their concerns and reach their aesthetic goals. Dr. Dolen will provide each patient with an estimated cost at their personal consultation after he creates their treatment plan.
To unlock the full cost of your facelift, please call our Algonquin office at (847) 854-3522 or come visit our office in person!
FAQ
How long will the results of my facelift last?
The results of a facelift can last between five to ten years.
Will there be any visible scarring left after my facelift heals?
Patients will experience minimal scarring. However, we ensure lower scar visibility by placing the incisions along the ear and hairline. These scars often fade significantly over time.
When can I return to work after my facelift?
Most patients can return to work between 1-2 weeks. However, exact timing may vary between patients depending on the nature of their careers.
Can I combine my facelift with another procedure?
A facelift can be combined with a variety of other procedures for a deeper level of facial rejuvenation.
References
- Charafeddine AH, Drake R, McBride J, Zins JE. Facelift: History and Anatomy. Clin Plast Surg. 2019 Oct;46(4):505-513. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.05.001. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 31514803..https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31514803/
- Rohrich RJ, Durand PD, Dayan E. The Lift-and-Fill Facelift: Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Manipulation with Fat Compartment Augmentation. Clin Plast Surg. 2019 Oct;46(4):515-522. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.06.001. Epub 2019 Jul 15. PMID: 31514804. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31514804/