From Here to There with Facelifts

As we age, there is simply no way to fight the ravages of time...or is there? Cosmetic surgery in the form of facial lifts is a field growing with new techniques that turn back the clock.

From Here to There with Facelifts

The world's population is living longer than ever - and with longer life comes more of the effects of aging. People's skin is sagging, getting more wrinkles and becoming spottier, so many women (and men) are turning to plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to change the way they look. In the world of cosmetic surgery - facelifts are becoming more popular than ever. A facelift's ability to smooth and reshape an aging face makes it a great choice for our older population.

A facelift is technically known as a rhytidectomy - a term which literally means "surgical removal of wrinkles". In a facelift procedure, wrinkles and sagging or drooping skin is repaired by various means. This gives the face, chin and neck area a smoother and more youthful appearance. Facelifts have become increasingly common in the last fifty or so years, with many aging stars and celebrities opting to have their faces worked on.

Facial procedures usually start with a small incision, made in front of the ear and extending up along the hairline. This incision curves around the ear and behind it, making the scar from a facelift virtually unnoticeable. When the skin is cut, the area is folded back and tissues underneath, such as the muscle and connective tissue, may also be cut. These layers of underlying tissue can be left alone, with only excess skin being removed, or the muscle and connective tissue may be manipulated in order to allow the skin to drape properly.

After the lower layers of tissue are set correctly, the outer layers of skin are tightened up (and some excess skin may be removed) and stitched together. The skin may be tacked to the inner muscle via threads or staples. Then, the incision is completely closed via sutures or staples. There are some other procedures that are commonly performed at the same time as a facelift, these include brow lifts, chin liposuction and eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty).

Whether you're a celebrity or an architect, looking your best can affect the way you feel about yourself. Spending your money on enhancements can make you feel your youngest and better about your outward appearance. Many famous people have admitted to having facelifts, including men such as Kenny Rogers and actresses such as Joan Rivers. Even some younger people are having facelift procedures done, to make the way that their skin drapes on their face look smoother and more proportioned.

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com - a directory of plastic surgeons.