Facelift (Rhytidectomy) in Tucson, AZ

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao performs a full variety of facial surgical treatments at his Tucson, AZ practice, and one of the most sought out of these facial procedures at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery is a facelift. This surgery concentrates on distinct sections of the face to tighten loose skin features, creating a tauter yet softer appearance. Depending on your concerns and goals for surgery, a facelift can focus on the lines and wrinkles near the eyes, the cheeks/mid-face, or the bottom two-thirds of the face, like the jowls, mouth, neck, and more for an all-encompassing youthful look. The facelift technique used will depend on your goals, the condition of your skin, the amount of laxity present, your lifestyle, age, and overall anatomy. Some men and women who are further along in the aging process may have excessive skin laxity and require a full facelift while other patients may only require a mid-face lift. Dr. Rao is a highly trained and experienced surgeon who has a complete understanding of the complexity and delicate anatomy of facelift surgery. The overall goal is to create a natural look that's gorgeous, subtle, and striking.

Over-the-counter treatments and at-home remedies can only do so much to combat common signs of aging. If you want to achieve long-lasting, significant outcomes, cosmetic surgery may be the best option. Some benefits of this popular procedure include:

• A more youthful appearance: A facelift can take years off your appearance and help you look as young as you feel.
• A boost in confidence: You may find yourself feeling better about yourself in social situations and enjoying other activities more.
• Long-lasting results: Facelift surgery can provide results that last for years if patients take care of their skin and follow a healthy lifestyle.

Men and women who are suitable for a facelift may have drooping skin, lines, and wrinkles on the face, whether they be throughout the entire face or confined to the upper, mid, or lower portions only. Facelift surgery can address one or more areas, depending on your unique goals and desired outcome. It is important to understand that age does not necessarily determine the ideal time to receive this procedure. There are so many aspects and factors and also numerous lift techniques, depending on the cosmetic concerns of the patient. The lifting technique chosen will vary for patients who are between 40 and 50 years old versus those who are older, such as in their 60s or beyond. The condition of the skin is one of the most important elements in the planning process. Ideal facelift patients should:

• Be in good physical health
• Refrain from smoking
• Have realistic expectations about their outcomes

No matter the issue you wish to correct, there are numerous facelift techniques to consider. Some facelifts address the upper portion of the face, while others focus on the middle and lower. In addition, some methods are slightly more invasive and intricate than others. It's common for some patients to have an eyelid lift, brow lift, or fillers and BOTOX to complement and enhance their final results. A few of the more common facelift options include:

• Full Facelift: Considered the gold standard, the full facelift most often places its incisions close to the hairline. These incisions extend downward to the area near the temples, reaching the base of the ears. The underlying facial tissues and muscles are carefully pulled and safely tightened to produce a lifted outcome, which reduces excessive loose skin and droopy features. This facelift is reserved for individuals who have visible signs of advanced aging. With this lift, various techniques may be combined, including blepharoplasty to enhance the eyes or a neck lift for the lower region.
• Mid-Facelift: With a similar approach to the mini lift, the surgery known as a mid-facelift focuses on the hollow and lax areas close to the cheekbones and the upper jaw. This lift works well for those who hope to attain improvement in the lower two-thirds of the face, which also improves the appearance of the jowls.
• Lower Facelift: This lift addresses the chin area, neck, and the jowls in many cases. Nonsurgical methods, such as a Kybella injection, can also be used for chin fat reduction to attain a younger, tighter-looking neck.
• Mini Facelift: During a mini facelift, a thin, small incision is made around the ears to lift the skin to a higher position, which enhances the mouth, jawline, and jowls. This process creates subtle improvements that look natural.

After surgery, you will be monitored before you are released to go home with a reliable adult. Before your procedure, Dr. Rao or a member of his team will schedule your follow-up appointments and go over tips that will allow you to heal faster. You should expect to have bruising and swelling, some moderate soreness, and discomfort, all of which can be helped by pain prescription medication. You should look and feel normal after several weeks. In the weeks to come, you will notice a glowing look with fewer lines and sagging. Overall, you will feel younger with a refreshed complexion to match.

How much does a facelift cost?
The cost of your facelift will vary, depending on the technique employed. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will develop your customized treatment plan based on your needs and goals. Once your surgical program is established, he can discuss cost estimates. In order to achieve the most natural-looking results, it's best to trust your care to somebody who has years of experience and the expertise to provide the seamless results you want, like board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rao. Additionally, Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery can help you find low-interest financing to make your surgery easier to afford.

Which technique is best for me?
The best technique for you will depend on your needs, goals, degree of skin laxity, which areas are being addressed, and more. To produce the results you want, Dr. Rao will go over the different techniques during your consultation. He will then help you decide which technique is best for you.

Should I get a surgical or nonsurgical facelift?
While there are many great nonsurgical skin tightening procedures, these often only produce mild improvements. If you have moderate to severe skin sagging, a surgical facelift is the best choice to improve your appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will discuss your options, including nonsurgical treatments, to help you select what is best for your goals.

What about wrinkle fillers and relaxers over facelift surgery?
Injectable wrinkle fillers and relaxers, like Juvéderm and BOTOX, have become very popular methods for refreshing the look of one's face. Sometimes known as a liquid facelift, injectable wrinkle treatments are good for early signs of aging, but the results are temporary. A facelift can produce more dramatic improvements than injectables with results that can last for a long time. Ask Dr. Rao about injectable treatments during your consultation as a complement to your surgery.

Will my results look natural?
Some patients may worry that facelift surgery will make their skin look too tight, shiny, or artificial. However, Dr. Rao focuses on giving you a natural-looking result so you look refreshed rather than fake. He listens to your needs and goals before developing your personal treatment plan with the technique that will produce your best results.

The facial skin and muscles can become stretched by weight fluctuations or simply with age. A facelift can restore youthful firmness to the face, as well as self-confidence. When a person is able to look in the mirror and see a younger-looking complexion staring back at them, it can change their entire outlook. It can also have a tremendous effect on how young they feel. For more information, we invite you to get in touch with Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ to set up your appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao.