Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Namita Murthy specializes in facelifts that preserve your natural look while reducing wrinkles and sagging facial skin.
It happens to us all. You wake up one day, and the person you see in the mirror does not quite match the image you have of yourself. There are new lines etched across your face, sagging skin where your jaw used to be, and an overall tired looking appearance. These conditions are why many patients seek out Dr. Namita Murthy.
Skin and tissues naturally lose their elasticity as we grow older. Less collagen and elastin are produced and facial fat is lost. These processes cause sagging skin with wrinkles to develop. A facelift raises and tightens these tissues. Removing excess fat and skin, smoothing out folds and wrinkles, and strengthening facial tissue are some of the specific issues addressed by a facelift in Annapolis, MD.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, offers many benefits to both men and women. It can lift and tighten sagging skin, remove unwanted fat, smooth out fine wrinkles and deep crease lines, and remove jowls to sharpen your jawline. All these changes together create a more youthful appearance.
Many patients are interested in a surgical facelift, but if you do not want surgery or are not a good candidate to have surgery due to health problems, non-surgical options, such as dermal fillers and special skin treatments, can rejuvenate your appearance.
The first benefit most people think of from having a facelift reversing the aging process. Others feel they look refreshed and less tired. Some patients will focus on very specific issues, like getting rid of certain deep facial creases or a certain set of wrinkles.
A facelift not only has a positive effect on what others see. It can improve the way you see yourself because it increases self-confidence and provides a new sense of energy.
Dr. Murthy offers different types of facelifts, including mini facelifts, mid-facelifts, traditional SMAS facelifts and deep-plane facelifts. The type of facelift performed will depend on your specific needs and wishes.
When you see Annapolis facial surgeon Dr. Namita Murthy for your facelift consultation, you will discuss how each of the following types of facelift can address your particular concerns. Then, you and Dr. Murthy will determine which facelift is right for you.
A mini facelift is ideal for patients with only slight jowls and mildly sagging skin in the lower half of their face and neck. This less invasive approach allows Dr. Murthy to tighten your muscles and facial tissues through a few small incisions, resulting in minimal scarring that can be easily hidden behind the ears and along the hairline. Structural tissues around the cheeks are raised and tightened through these incisions to correct hanging jowls, refine the jawline, and rejuvenate a tired look.
Despite its name, a mini facelift still requires general anesthesia or local anesthesia. While recovery may be easier from this pared down facelift it still routinely takes several weeks to fully recover from a mini facelift.
A mid-facelift, sometimes called a cheek lift, focuses on the middle of the face. It can smooth and tighten the loose skin and creases from the upper mouth to under the eyes. A mid-facelift does not target the jawline or forehead. It is a great option for patients looking to improve sagging cheeks, brighten their eyes, and decrease laugh lines.
A mid-facelift is a surgical procedure. You will need general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Risks are the same as for other versions of facelifts. The surgery is usually completed in about two hours. Recovery will take several weeks, though you can return to work in about two weeks.
A deep-plane facelift involves working below the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) to release key facial retaining ligaments to maximally mobilize the soft tissue structures of the face. This deeper dissection allows for a greater lift as well as a less tension on the skin closure. A Deep plane facelift produces long-lasting results with less visible scarring. There may be increased risk associated with a deep-plane facelift so Dr. Murthy will discuss the best type of facelift for you.
Facelift surgery can be combined with a variety of other procedures. You may wish to address issues with your forehead, like frown lines, or do more around your eyes and eyelids. If you are unhappy with your nose or chin, there are ways to address those issues. Be sure to discuss your concerns and wishes with Dr. Murthy so that she can suggest the most effective procedures to produce the outcomes you are hoping for.
If you are not interested in having surgery or are not a good candidate for surgery due to other health issues, you can still rejuvenate and refresh your appearance. Dermal fillers, chemical facial peels, and microneedling can create changes that will help you look more youthful. These procedures are performed in the office and have minimal downtime, so they can easily fit into a busy schedule. They do not create permanent changes but can be repeated as needed.
Dermal fillers, such as those made of Restylane®, can be used to fill areas that have lost fat and tissue. Sunken cheeks can come alive again, and tiny wrinkles can disappear. Even deeper folds can be lessened with a filler.
Facial peels have different strengths to match what you need, such as smoothing fine wrinkles and fading age spots. Many patients will start with a course of peels spaced out over a certain amount of time and then switch to maintenance peels less often. You may be surprised at how much of a difference facial peels can make.
Microneedling is a skin resurfacing treatment that can restore better skin texture and color. It stimulates collagen and elastin production to help improve skin quality and decrease fine wrinkles. A course of microneedling treatment sessions can significantly improve some scars.
You will discuss your aesthetic goals and concerns at your facelift consultation. Dr. Murthy will examine your face and skin and provide you with options for treatment. She will answer your questions and help you choose the surgery you want to pursue.
Good candidates for surgery are nonsmokers at a stable, healthy weight. Smoking will hinder your body’s ability to heal properly and quickly, so it is best to quit smoking before you have facelift surgery. If you have a significant weight change, up or down, your face will change. You could decide that you are no longer happy with your appearance and want further surgery to resolve the new problems.
You will need to stop certain medications and supplements that could increase bleeding for a brief time around your surgical date. Other medications that could affect anesthesia may need to be stopped briefly before surgery.
Most facelift surgery is done as an outpatient procedure. You may receive either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. You will need someone to drive home because you will not be safe to drive after anesthesia.
Incisions from facelift surgeries are easily hidden behind your ears or in your hairline. Many areas of your face will be changed through these incisions, so be prepared for some discomfort post-surgery. The length of your surgery will depend on how extensive it is, but Dr. Murthy will give you an estimate before you commit to having the surgery.
You will experience some bruising and swelling after a surgical facelift. After a full facelift, you may need tiny drains to help draw off any excess blood of fluid. You will be given instructions on how to care for these.
Recovery generally takes about two to three weeks, depending on the procedure you had and your body’s healing speed. Even though you may not want to go out in public, you should begin to feel better in the first few days after surgery. Dr. Murthy provides you with a specific recovery timetable and instructions based on your specific procedure. Our facelift patients who follow these post-op instructions have better outcomes and improved healing times, so it is important to incorporate these practices into your recovery plan.
Some swelling and bruising are expected after a facelift in Annapolis. There is a minor risk of extensive fluid accumulation and bruising or excessive bleeding. Swelling will diminish over time, but some patients have a longer than usual amount of time when swelling remains noticeable.
Keeping your incisions clean can help avoid this. If an infection does occur it could affect healing and cause excess scarring.
Facial nerves can be affected, causing muscle weakness, numbness, or other changes in skin sensation. Most of the time these problems fade, but infrequently a patient will have permanent changes. Persistent pain can occur but is rare.
You may notice hair loss around your incisions that are hidden in your hairline. Most of the time, this is temporary.
The noticeable enhancements of a facelift emerge as swelling and bruising subside. Subtle swelling can linger, so you may not see the final results of your surgery for up to three months. The changes made during a facelift procedure are permanent but they are not immune to changes due to aging. The benefits of your facelift can be extended with diligent sun protection and a healthy lifestyle.
Not only will your outcome be a more youthful and restful look, you may also notice that you feel more positive about yourself. When you are putting your best face forward, your self-confidence will improve.
When you are ready for a new look to reclaim your youthful appearance, call our office to set up an appointment for a consultation. She is committed to helping you make the best decision to attain your goals and is prepared to address all of your questions. If you are looking for the best facelift Annapolis, Maryland can offer, Dr. Murthy is here to help.
While most people elect to get a facelift sometime between their 40s and 50s, But you can achieve good results at older ages as well.
When correctly done, a facelift is designed to leave you with a natural appearance. Any tight feeling will disappear over two to three months. Those around you will notice the results, not the procedure.
Incisions for a facelift typically begin at the temple above the hairline and run just inside the cartilage at the front of the ear in a natural line and proceed to the lower scalp inside the hairline behind the earlobe. Generally, these are covered behind the hairline or in a natural crease. After several months, the scars are almost invisible.
When you are confident, it shows. Not just in your behavior or your vibe, but in all you do.
If you are self-conscious about a particular area of your body, that shows as well. Imagine the freedom that comes with not worrying about your look when you make your way through life; the freedom of knowing you are putting your best self out there. That is the aesthetics of confidence.