Tired of Sagging Facial Skin? A Facelift May Be For You

Everyone’s skin sags as they age. Over time, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, and many of us speed up the process with sun exposure. While supplements and noninvasive aesthetic procedures can help replenish collagen, at some point, it stops regenerating fast enough to maintain a youthful appearance.

A facelift (or rhytidectomy) is an effective way to treat sagging skin. If you live in the Pittsburgh area and have questions about the type of facelift surgery that’s right for you, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. James Fernau can help.

Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, located near Coraopolis, PA, offers traditional facelifts, mini facelifts, deep plane facelifts, and other surgical procedures to help remove sagging skin and deep creases.

How does a facelift treat sagging skin?

Facelift surgery aims to reduce sagging in the cheeks, jawline drooping (jowls), and deep folds on the side of the nose and mouth. The procedure can alter the contour of the face by manipulating the skin or going deeper to alter tissues and muscles, and remove fat.

There are a few different types of facelifts. Dr. Fernau will discuss your goals with you and recommend the method that is least invasive and most effective.

What type of facelift is right for you?

If you’re troubled by sagging skin on your face, Dr. Fernau and the staff at Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa offer multiple options for facial plastic surgery for patients near Pittsburgh, Coraopolis, or the surrounding area. These include:

• Skin-only facelift (cutaneous facelift): This technique is most appropriate for patients who still have good muscle tone but want to improve their skin’s elasticity and see tightening around the cheeks and jowls. It involves pulling back the skin and removing the remaining loose skin without manipulating fat or muscle tissues. Most patients can expect a quick recovery.

• A traditional facelift involves manipulating the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) by repositioning the tissue beneath the skin. It is most appropriate for patients over 50 who have lost muscle tissue and experience severe sagging. It involves long incisions from the temple to the back of the ear, the reshaping of the contours of the face, and the removal of excess fat and skin, primarily from the lower third of the face.

• A deep plane facelift requires a highly-experienced plastic surgeon, like Dr. Fernau, to treat severe cases of drooping. This method is unique because it does not involve separating the skin from the muscle tissue to tighten the skin. Instead, the focus is on reshaping the muscle and fat layers of the skin, particularly in the cheek area.

• A mini facelift (or short-scar facelift) targets the middle and lower parts of the face. It involves smaller incisions along the ears and hairline. The surgeon will then pull tight the sagging skin and remove any excess. This technique is less invasive; however, it isn’t effective for correcting severe skin sagging.

Facelift surgery can treat mild to severe skin sagging, depending on the technique you choose. If you want to treat fine lines or other aesthetic issues, such as pigmentation or texture irregularities, Dr. Fernau offers less-invasive aesthetic procedures as well.

Contact us today for a facial plastic surgery consultation in Pittsburgh, PA

If you’re tired of sagging skin and are interested in discussing your options for facelift surgery, Dr. James Fernau and the staff at Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa near Coraopolis, PA can help. Schedule a private consultation today.