If you’re noticing signs of aging in your lower face and neck, such as sagging skin and deep lines, a facelift in Atlanta by Dr. Teri N. Moak can rejuvenate your appearance. This procedure smooths deeper lines, contours the jawline, and lifts sagging skin, restoring a more youthful look.
The inevitable effects of age on facial skin
As we age, our facial skin naturally loses volume and elasticity. Fine lines deepen into wrinkles, the jawline becomes less defined, and skin begins to sag, particularly in the lower face and neck. These gradual changes can create an appearance that doesn’t reflect how youthful and vibrant you feel inside. Environmental factors like sun exposure and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can accelerate these aging signs, making them more pronounced. Eventually, these cumulative effects prompt many to seek solutions for a rejuvenated look.
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to lift and remove sagging skin in the lower face and neck, providing a more youthful and natural appearance. This surgery targets deeper lines, contours the jawline, and tightens facial skin through discreet incisions. Unlike non-invasive treatments, a facelift in Atlanta addresses significant sagging and jowling and delivers long-lasting results. By repositioning and tightening underlying tissues, a facelift effectively rejuvenates the face, helping you achieve a refreshed look that aligns with how you feel on the inside.
You may be a candidate for a facelift if:
- You have a loss of a well-defined jawline
- You have deep wrinkles in the cheeks and sagging skin near the cheekbones
- You have loose skin on the neck
- You have prominent jowls or marionette lines
- You are a nonsmoker, or are willing to stop smoking before your facelift
- You are in generally good health
- You have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the surgery
- You feel that your facial appearance does not reflect your inner vitality
- You have noticed a significant loss of facial volume and elasticity
- You have significant sagging that cannot be corrected with fillers or non-surgical treatments
Facelift can treat the following:
- Deep lines and wrinkles in the lower face
- Sagging skin on the face and neck
- Loss of a well-defined jawline
- Prominent jowls or marionette lines
- Loose skin on the neck
- Prominent neck muscles, often referred to as “turkey neck”
- Excess fat in the neck and jawline
To find out if you’re a good candidate for a facelift in Atlanta, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
What are the different types of facelift procedures available?
Primary facelift
A primary facelift is the first surgical intervention a patient undergoes to address signs of aging in the lower face and neck. During a primary facelift, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues are tightened, and the face is repositioned to a more youthful contour. The incisions are typically placed discreetly around the ears and hairline, ensuring minimal visible scarring. The primary facelift reduces deep wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin, restoring a refreshed appearance.
Revision facelift
A revision facelift, also known as a secondary facelift, is performed on patients who have previously undergone a facelift but are experiencing further aging or are dissatisfied with the initial results. This procedure is more complex due to the presence of scar tissue and altered anatomy from the first surgery. The revision facelift addresses any remaining or new signs of aging, refines previous results, and may be able to correct concerns related to the initial procedure.
Lower facelift
The lower facelift in Atlanta specifically targets the lower third of the face, including the jawline and neck. This is ideal for patients who have noticeable sagging and jowls but do not require a full facelift. The lower facelift focuses on tightening and lifting the skin and underlying tissues in this area to create a more defined jawline and smoother neck. By concentrating on the lower face, it provides significant rejuvenation with less recovery time compared to a full facelift.
SMAS facelift
The SMAS facelift targets the thick connective tissue layer of the face. Unlike traditional facelifts that only tighten the skin, the SMAS facelift tightens the strong, connective tissue layer of the face, yielding natural-looking results. By addressing this structural component of the face, the SMAS facelift provides a more substantial and long-lasting rejuvenation than skin tightening procedures alone.
Deep plane facelift
The deep plane facelift in Atlanta is an advanced surgical technique that offers the most comprehensive lift by repositioning the deeper layers of facial tissue. This approach involves lifting the skin and underlying SMAS as a single unit, ensuring the most powerful, natural looking, and enduring result. By addressing the deeper structures of the face, this technique minimizes tension on the skin, reducing the risk of a “pulled” appearance and providing a more youthful contour.
Mid-facelift
A mid-facelift, or cheek lift, rejuvenates the middle third of the face, targeting sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, and hollowness under the eyes. Ideal for those not requiring a full facelift, this procedure lifts and repositions underlying tissues for a youthful contour. Incisions are typically made within the hairline or inside the mouth, ensuring minimal visible scarring. The mid-facelift enhances facial harmony, resulting in a refreshed appearance with minimal recovery time compared to more extensive facelifts.
Enhance your results with the Sciton erbium laser
Dr. Moak also offers advanced skin resurfacing treatments using the Sciton erbium laser. This cutting-edge technology effectively targets deep rhytides (wrinkles) and rejuvenates the skin by removing damaged outer layers, promoting collagen production, and improving overall texture and tone. Ideal for those seeking to address deep facial lines or achieve smoother, more youthful skin, the Sciton erbium laser provides precise, controlled results. Enhance your facelift in Atlanta with laser skin resurfacing.
What happens during your facelift procedure?
Dr. Moak will perform your facelift under general anesthesia. The incisions are discreetly placed around your ears, extending into the hairline, and under your chin if a neck lift is included. Dr. Moak will carefully lift and tighten the underlying tissues, remove excess skin, and reposition your facial contours to a more youthful state. After the procedure, you’ll be placed in dressings and a head wrap before heading home to rest and recover.
What is the recovery following a facelift?
For the first few days, you can expect some pain, swelling, and bruising. Most patients return to work after two to three weeks, though bruising and swelling may take longer to subside. Initial incisions typically heal within two to three weeks, but full recovery, including the return of normal sensation and the fading of scars, can take several months. By six weeks, you’ll likely resume full activity, with final results visible at six months to a year.
Facelift FAQs
How long do facelift results last? Are the results permanent?
Results of a facelift in Atlanta can last up to 10 years or more, depending on factors like your skin type, age, lifestyle, and overall health. However, it does not stop the aging process. Your face will continue to age, but you’ll always look younger than if you had not undergone the procedure.
Will a facelift address sagging eyebrows or eyelids?
A facelift focuses on the lower face and neck. Sagging eyebrows and eyelids require different procedures, such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).
How noticeable are facelift scars?
Facelift scars are typically well-concealed within the natural contours of your ears and hairline. With proper care, scars will fade over time and become less noticeable.
Be beautiful, thoughtfully
Dr. Teri N. Moak is a fellowship-trained, award-winning plastic surgeon who believes in enhancing natural beauty with care and precision. Her thoughtful approach to aesthetic surgery, including facelifts in Atlanta, ensures that every patient feels confident and celebrated. Specializing in personalized treatments, Dr. Moak combines her expertise in art and science to achieve harmonious, natural-looking results. She is dedicated to empowering her patients to feel their best, both inside and out. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Moak today to embark on your journey to thoughtful beauty.
