Lower Facelift
in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL
For some people, the natural aging process can affect the lower face and neck. Those changes, often caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and gravity, can make the skin of the lower face look as if it is aging unevenly and cause the skin around the neck to loosen. Similar to a full facelift, the lower facelift reduces the visible signs of aging by tightening the muscles of the face, repositioning the loose fat and redraping the skin of the neck and lower face. The men and women of Florida including Tampa, St. Petersburg and the surrounding towns rely on the skills and expertise of Dr. Dean G. Davis, a dual-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist.
Candidates for a lower facelift are men or women with loose skin around their jawline, cheek and mouth. People with “jowls’ or fat deposits along the jaw. The ideal candidate might also have lost elasticity in the skin around the neck that causes the area to wiggle or sag. These surgeries won’t restore a person’s youthful vitality or health; it will help people regain their youthful appearance and enhance a person’s self-image.
What is a Lower Facelift?
The lower face includes the parts of the face and neck from the top of the ear to the corner of the mouth and down to the larynx (voice box). The appearance of this part of the face can show a person’s age. Both men and women know that by having a more youthful looking lower face can improve a person’s beauty and appeal. A lower facelift will reduce the visible signs of aging, improving excess fat from the jowl and neck region. The procedure also tightens the musculofascial system while re-draping the skin of the neck and face.
Are You a Good Candidate For A Lower Facelift?
You are a good candidate if you meet the following criteria:
- If you have “jowls” and deep creases along the base of your nose and the corners of your mouth.
- If you have experienced a loss of elasticity and loosened muscle tone of your neck and face.
- If you believe you have a tired or aged appearance.
- If you have neck or facial wrinkles.
- If you feel that your chin and neck no longer have youthful contours.
Intended Results
The intended result of the procedure is to give the neck and face a youthful appearance. After the surgery, patients will appear rested.
How is a Lower Facelift Performed?
Dr. Davis performs the lower facelift, also referred to as a rhytidectomy, in his office’s surgical suite. The procedure requires general sedation and takes no longer than two hours. To reduce anxiety, patients are given medication before the lower facelift begins. During the procedure, any excess fatty tissue and skin are reduced from the neck and jawline. The skin is then lifted, not stretched, to show a more youthful appearance. Where the incisions will occur depends on the problems being corrected. Dr. Davis takes into consideration whether a patient is male or female when making a decision to place the incision. In any situation, the incisions are made in a place where they are hidden in the folds of the skin or by the hair. In exposed areas, fine, absorbable sutures close the incision, making scarring hard to notice over time.
Lower facelifts do wonders for improving and enhancing the contours of your jawline and face. However, a lower facelift will not improve the fine wrinkles on the skin’s surface and cannot correct sun damage. A post-operative skin care regimen and additional skin resurfacing procedure are needed to treat these conditions. Both of these procedures are available at Davis Facial Plastic Surgery. These issues are discussed at your initial consultation.
What Should I Expect in Terms of Recovery?
Most of Dr. Davis’ lower facelift patients have very little memory after they are given preoperative medications. They may regain full awareness while they are in the recovery room or once they return home. A turban-style dressing is placed around the neck and head after the surgery and taken care of in the following day in the office. Patients experience very little discomfort after the procedure. They are prescribed medications for the first few days after surgery to help them rest comfortably. One week after the surgery, patients have the staples and stitches taken care of.
The swelling of the neck and face peaks at 72 hours after the surgery. To reduce swelling, you should sleep and rest with your head in an elevated position. In most cases, the majority of the swelling decreases in two to four weeks. It takes two to four months for the remainder of the swelling to subside. You may see bruising on the neck and face. The bruising usually goes away in three to six weeks. It is also common to have areas of numbness, firmness, and tenderness around the incision area.
To protect the healing tissues, some activities are restricted after the facelift. It is advised that movements such as twisting of the neck or head, bending, coughing and sneezing are limited for three to six weeks after the surgery. Driving, with precautions, can be resumed after two weeks. Patients are advised to avoid contact sports for at least three months. The coloring and perming of hair should not occur until six weeks after the procedure.
Because nothing heels suddenly or evenly, it takes three to six months to see the best results. You should discuss your goals and expectations with Dr. Davis and follow his aftercare instructions to get desired results.
Real Patient Reviews
“Dr Davis is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon. His work is amazing. I had a full facelift five years ago and I still look and feel GREAT. Today I had a pearl laser treatment that was painless and thorough. Dr. Davis and his team are masters of their craft. Why would anyone go anywhere else?” – Deborah H.
How Much Do Lower Facelifts Cost?
A lower facelift is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. Patients are responsible for covering the full cost of the procedure. Dr. Davis accepts payment via cash, credit card, and as well as CareCredit® as a financing option. Davis Facial Plastic Surgery does not participate in any medical health insurance plans.
If you live in Florida including Tampa, St. Petersburg and the surrounding towns and want to reduce the signs of aging in your lower face area, contact our office today to schedule a private lower facelift consultation with Dr. Davis.