Surgical Solutions for Sagging Facial Skin

Saggy, droopy, or loose skin on the face is just one of the aspects of facial aging (the other two are fat loss and skin texture changes, like wrinkle formation or age spots). The aspects of facial aging combine to make us look older- usually older than wed like. There are non-surgical solutions to facial skin sagging, such as the laser treatments we discussed earlier in the month. However, non-surgical options will not provide you with dramatic results, nor will the remove excess skin like jowls. There are a number of surgical options for combatting facial skin sagging, depending on the area you want to focus on and the amount of time you want to spend in recovery. Brow Lift A brow lift is designed for patients whose brow skin has started sagging lower and lower, causing deep furrows and facial wrinkles, as well as a brow that might start covering the eyes (this can interfere with vision). Brow lifts involve making an incision behind the hairline, removing excess tissue, and pulling the brow skin back up into the desired position.   Facelift A facelift is the go-to surgical procedure for patients with unwanted facial looseness. There are a variety of facelifts available, including a mini-lift, which is less dramatic and has a shorter recovery time. A regular facelift involves incisions behind the hairline or behind the ear, depending on your specific situation. The recovery time for a facelift is around four weeks to six weeks. A traditional facelift will affect the skin from your lower eyelids to the jaw, while a mini-lift will lift the skin of the face below the nose.   Neck Lift A neck lift will improve the appearance of the skin of the neck. As we age, we can develop cording (an appearance of strings running from the chin to the collarbone). We can also develop turkey neck, when skin under the chin becomes loose and starts to wiggle as we move our head. Neck lifts can be one part or two part, with the parts being the removal of excess skin and the tightening of neck muscles, if necessary. Like a facelift, a neck lift recovery will take between four to six weeks. If you are considering a surgical solution for your loose facial skin, please call our office for answers to any questions and to schedule a consultation with our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nukta. Our number is (703) 574-2588   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Frequently Asked Questions

What surgical options are available for sagging facial skin?

The main surgical options include a brow lift for the forehead and brow area, blepharoplasty for the upper and lower eyelids, a facelift for the mid-face and lower face, and a neck lift for the neck and jawline. These procedures can be performed individually or in combination depending on the patient's specific concerns.

What does a brow lift do and when is it needed?

A brow lift elevates a sagging brow that has descended over the eyes, creating deep forehead wrinkles and a heavy, tired appearance. An incision is made behind the hairline so it remains hidden, and the underlying tissue is repositioned to restore a more open and alert appearance to the upper face.

When is a facelift the right choice?

A facelift is appropriate when a patient has significant skin laxity in the mid and lower face, pronounced jowling, deep nasolabial folds, or sagging cheeks that cannot be adequately addressed with non-surgical treatments. It delivers the most dramatic and lasting improvement in lower facial aging of any available procedure.

Can non-surgical treatments replace surgery for sagging skin?

Non-surgical treatments like BOTOX, fillers, and laser can improve early or mild skin laxity and delay the need for surgery. However, they cannot remove excess skin or tighten underlying facial muscles the way surgery can. For patients with moderate to significant sagging, surgical correction produces more dramatic and lasting results.

Can multiple facial procedures be combined in one surgery?

Yes. Combining procedures such as a facelift with a brow lift or eyelid surgery is common and reduces the total number of recovery periods compared to staging them separately.