Face & Neck Lift

• Cervical-facial lift • Centro-Facial Lift • Temporal Lift • Forehead Lift • 

Lower face and neck: Cervical-facial lift

The most popular facelift is the cervical-facial lifting.

The cervical-facial lifting aims to improve the appearance of the neck and the oval of the face. The naso-labial folds are also reduced. The neck-chin angle is restored.

Turkey Wattle, type of vertical strands stretched over both sides of the trachea due to the release of the platysma muscle (or SMAS), are also reduced.

Guidelines for the face lift

The skin of the face and neck is tightened from discreet incisions located around the ears and scalp.
The face lift is performed under general anaesthesia. The duration varies between 1 and a half and 3 hours, excluding any eventual associated surgical procedures.
The skin is partially peeled off, the underlying muscle layer (SMAS and platysma) is tightened, and then the skin is gently tightened.

Hospitalisation lasts between 12 and 4 hours during which the patient wears a large bandage shaped like a helmet.
Before the patient leaves the clinic, the dressing is removed and the scars are simply covered with ointment.

Lifting cervico facial à Cannes - Alpes Maritimes

Associated procedures

All other methods of facial cosmetic surgery may be associated with face and neck lift according to patient needs.

  • Neck contouring : a liposuction of the neck and certain areas of the face is almost always associated.
  • It is also common to perform eyelid surgery at the same time with or without a temporal lift.
  • Re-injecting the previously removed fat from the face and neck or knees, helps restore volume to the cheeks, eyebrows, lips, chin and soften the nasolabial folds, hollow temples and cheeks.
  • Certain facial muscles can also be remodelled. In particular, the Depressor Anguli Ori muscle (DAO) can be cut through two 1 cm incisions located in the mouth, which allows the downward pull of the corners of the mouth to be removed.
  • An upper lip lift also restores a good visual balance to the mouth.
  • A slight raising of the cheekbones can be done by an upward pulling of threads from two small incisions in the scalp. This technique also allows you to fill the side portion of the hollows under the eyes.
  • A centro-facelift can be proposed in addition to the cervical-facial lifting. This technique is performed either in the same operation or done separately. The mid facelift or centro malar also allows the cheekbones to be lifted, however the correction of under eye hollows is more thorough, the nasolabial fold is better corrected. Round eye can be corrected to display a more sensual almond shape.
  • Reduction in the size of the earlobes and/or size of the ears.

Non-surgical techniques are also often considered in addition to a facelift:

  • Botulinum toxin injections or hyaluronic acid injections can be performed during surgery if the injection site is different from the surgery site. Otherwise, the injections are given 15 days before or after surgery.
  • Electro-rejuvenation (Timed) or dermabrasion are used to correct fine lines located at the upper lip.
  • A glycolic chemical peel (light superficial peel) or TCA trichloroacetic acid (medium peel) can be performed on the day of surgery and improves the complexion and radiance of the skin, fades out pigmented marks and blemishes, and reduces certain fine lines.
Mini-face lift

The general principle of the procedure is the same but the scar is shorter and skin peeling is done to a lesser degree. A mini face lift can be performed under local anaesthesia as an outpatient. This procedure is well suited for patients with moderately sagging skin.

These minimally invasive facelift techniques have several names: “one-stitch lift”, “mini-lift”, “short-scar lift” etc…

Cervicoplasty

Cervicoplasty effectively treats excess skin on the neck, either after classic cervico-facial lifting where the treatment of excess cervical skin was insufficient, or in patients (often men) requiring a simpler procedure to a classic cervico-facial lift.
Either a straight or a zig-zag scar will be located in the middle of the neck. The jowls are not improved.
This procedure is performed under a local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis. Scarring is generally almost unnoticeable after 12 to 24 months.

Post-operative effects

After effects include edema (swelling) of the face and ecchymosis (bruises) of varying importance depending on the patient and mostly disappear during the first two weeks. Sometimes it is necessary to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the results of the procedure to be unnoticeable.

Pain is minimal or even absent, however some unpleasant sensations (skin tension, temporary numbness of the cheeks or ears, cardboard-like skin, etc.) may persist for a few days to several weeks.

The result obtained is natural and gives a relaxed and rested look. The face does not have a frozen or surgical appearance. The lifting makes the patient appear on average 10 years younger.

The scars are hidden around the ears and scalp. They are unnoticeable after 3 to 6 months. The hairline is maintained.

Risk of complications

As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.

The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :

  • stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
  • not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).

Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a cervico-facial lift that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to risk of hematoma, infection and scarring.
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.

Health insurance coverage
As this procedure is considered purely for aesthetic purposes, no coverage is provided by health insurance.

Mid-facelift: centro-facial lift

The mid-facelift or centro-malar facelift aims to reposition the facial tissue located between the eyes and the mouth (midface) to their proper place.

Over time, the tissues of the mid face literally droop. The result is a hollowing under the eyes, elongation of the lower eyelid with a tendency to create a round eye (disappearance of the almond shape), a loss of volume of the cheekbones, the formation of nasolabial folds and bitterness folds (“marionette lines”), and the appearance of puffy lumps on either side of the chin making the face appear square (jowls).

Guidelines for the procedure

The surgeon makes an incision just below the eyelashes of the lower eyelid (sub-eyelid incision) identical to that used during a simple lower eyelid surgery.

From this incision, all the soft tissues of the cheek and cheekbones will be repositioned higher in a movement opposite to that caused by ageing.

This results in an improvement of the nasolabial folds, jowls, dark circles and cheekbones. The eye regains its natural almond shape before ageing. The almond shape can even be emphasised during a canthoplasty when combined with the centro-facial lifting.

Invisible facial threads are attached through small perforations in the cheekbone (palpable bony arch under the eyes).

At the end of the procedure, excess skin of the lower eyelid is removed.

Lifting centro facial à Cannes, Monaco et Antibes

Associated procedures
All other methods of facial cosmetic surgery may be associated with a centro-facelift according to patient needs.
  • A liposuction of the neck and certain areas of the face.
  • It is also common to perform eyelid surgery at the same time with or without a temporal lift.
  • Certain facial muscles can also be remodelled. In particular, the Depressor Anguli Oris muscle (DAO) can be cut through two 1 cm incisions located in the mouth, which allows the downward pull of the corners of the mouth to be removed.
  • An upper lip lift also helps restore the mouth to its original expression.
  • A traditional facelift can be proposed in addition to the centro-facial lifting. This technique is performed either during the same operation, or more frequently during a separate procedure.

Non-surgical techniques are also often considered in addition to a mid-facelift :

  • Botulinum toxin injections or hyaluronic acid injections can be performed during surgery if the injection site is different from the surgery site. Otherwise, the injections are given 15 days before or after surgery.
  • Electro-rejuvenation (Timed) or dermabrasion are used to correct fine lines located at the upper lip.
  • A glycolic chemical peel (light superficial peel) or TCA trichloroacetic acid (medium peel) can be performed on the day of surgery and improves the complexion and radiance of the skin and reduces pigmented marks, blemishes, and fine lines.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The duration varies between 2 and 3 hours. Hospitalisation is 24 hours.
After discharge from the clinic no dressing is required. Applying ointment to the scars is sufficient.

Post-operative effects
The pain is moderate or absent and is relieved by appropriate analgesics. A feeling of pressure and tight skin is normal during the first couple of days.

The after effects are characterised by edema (swelling) of the face and ecchymosis (bruises) of varying importance depending on the patient and disappear during the first 2 to 3 weeks. It is necessary to wait 3 to 6 weeks for the results of the procedure to be unnoticeable. In rare cases, small imperfections or a feeling of over-correction can take a little longer to disappear.

Hardening and decreased sensitivity of the lifted sites or the upper lip may persist for 1 to several months.

Outcome

The result is natural. The face doesn’t appear to be either frozen or surgically enhanced. The facial features give a fresh, rested and relaxed look.

The scars are very discreet, sometimes pink for several weeks but are easily camouflaged with makeup. They are unnoticeable after 3-6 months.

Risk of complications

As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.

The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :

  • stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
  • not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).

Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a mid-face lift that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to risk of hematoma, infection and temporary skin sensibility.
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.

Health insurance coverage
As this procedure is considered purely for aesthetic purposes, no coverage is provided by health insurance.

Upper face: Temporal lift

The temporal brow or lateral brow lift raises the outer end of the eyebrow

The temporal brow lift (“dummy clip“) helps open up the eye by raising the lateral portion of the eyebrow (tail of the eyebrow), thus restoring the correct distance between the eyelashes and eyebrow. The temporal lift can also soften the appearance of crow’s feet.

Guidelines for the procedure

Lifting temporal à Cannes - Alpes Maritimes

All the skin of the temporal region and the lateral portion of the eyebrow are lifted up through an incision 3 to 4 cm hidden in the scalp.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis (out the same day) under assisted local anaesthesia (diazepine-induced analgesia). The procedure lasts from 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours.

The procedure can be carried out under general anaesthesia when combined with a more complex procedure (facelift, rhinoplasty …). In this case, the hospital stay is 24 hours.

Associated procedures
  • An upper blepharoplasty is frequently associated. The amount of skin needed to be removed from the upper eyelid is limited thanks to the temporal lift, making the palpebral scar shorter than usual.
  • A canthoplasty in order to modify the position of the outer corner of the eye (external canthus) upwards, this obtains a more almond-shaped eye (cat’s eye or fox eyes).
  • Botulinum toxin injections help to maintain the result of temporal lifting by partially paralysing the portion of the orbicularis muscle that pulls the tail of the eyebrow down. Botox injections without a temporal lifting allow the raising of the tail of the eyebrow but the result is less impressive than with a temporal lift and is only temporary. The choice between temporal lift (associated or not with botox) and botox injections alone will only be determined following a discussion between the patient and the surgeon.
Postoperative effects
The amount of swelling (often greater around the third day) and bruising from the temporal lift vary depending on the patient. A small bead of skin at the scar is normal and disappears spontaneously after several days.

The pain is mild, a feeling of tension is felt at the temples.

Social and professional activities can be resumed 1 to 2 weeks after surgery depending on the job performed.

Risk of complications

As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.

The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :

  • stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
  • not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).

Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a temporal lift that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to risk of hematoma, infection and scarring.
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.

Health insurance coverage
As this procedure is considered purely for aesthetic purposes, no coverage is provided by health insurance.

Upper face: Forehead lift

The forehead lift raises both eyebrows. Forehead wrinkles and frown lines are reduced.

Guidelines for the procedure

Depending on the case :

  • the incision can be made from ear to ear at the hairline level (bi-coronal incision) in this case the forehead is enlarged by the procedure (the hairline is set further back);
  • the incision can be made at the hairline reducing the height of the forehead ;
  • the forehead lift is performed under endoscopy and 4 incisions of 3 to 4 cm each are made at the hairline resulting in no change in the height of the forehead ;

The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia. The surgery lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Hospitalisation is 24 hours.

Associated procedures
The forehead lift can be combined with all other facial rejuvenation procedures, in particular a cervico-facial lift which complements it perfectly (fronto-cervico-facial lift).
Postoperative effects
The after effects of the forehead lift include edema (often more obvious around the 3rd day) and ecchymoses (bruises) of variable importance depending on the patient. Social and professional activities can be resumed 1 to 2 weeks after surgery depending on the job performed.
Risk of complications

As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.

The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :

  • stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
  • not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).

Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a forehead lift that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to, risk of hematoma, infection and scarring, and alopecia at the level of the hairline scars (generally temporary).
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.

Health insurance coverage
As this procedure is considered purely for aesthetic purposes, no coverage is provided by health insurance.
Lifting Visage & Cou à Cannes et Lifting cervico-facial à Cannes Côte d'azur - Dr Christophe Laveaux

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