Minimally Invasive Facelift

As we grow older, the skin tissues in our body gradually begin to lose their elasticity and firmness. This causes the skin to droop, deepens skin folds and leads to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

For many years, a full-fledged surgical facelift was the only option available to women looking to address the effects of aging skin. But traditional facelifts require undergoing general anesthesia at a hospital. And while the effects can be dramatic, the procedure leaves inevitable scars behind the ear and along the hairline that are not always concealable. Women who have had facelifts often find themselves no longer able wear their hair up without exposing unsightly scars. General anesthesia also adds greater risk of complications and requires significant recovery time.

The risks and pain associated with traditional facelifts have kept many people from going under the knife to “turn back the clock,” particularly younger women who seek modest and natural-looking improvements to their appearance.

Today, an emerging technique known as the “minimally invasive facelift” offers a means to achieve similar aesthetic results of a full facelift, but with minimal scarring and reduced recovery time. Requiring only a local anesthetic, minimally invasive lift procedures use shorter surgical incisions, resulting in smaller scars that are easier to conceal. The procedure also carries fewer risks of poor scarring and infection, allowing for faster recovery so you can resume your work and daily activities more quickly.

Also referred to as “facial rejuvenation,” the minimally invasive lift is ideal for women in their 30s and 40s, who have experienced moderate signs of aging. The procedure offers subtle changes that are natural and less dramatic than a full facelift and is particularly effective in tightening the middle areas of the face, near the cheeks, nose and jowls. Still, some women over 60 years of age also do opt for the procedure.

The Surgeon

Minimally invasive facelifts are performed by Dr. Sam Rizk, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in New York City. Through innovative approaches like these, Dr. Rizk has made successful aesthetic improvements in the faces of hundreds of women. Throughout his career, Dr. Rizk has been a powerful advocate for technology and its power to improve patient results. Among his pioneering achievements is the use of advanced telescopes and imaging for endoscopic 3-dimensional rhinoplasty.

The Procedure

The procedure requires about an hour to complete. An incision is made within the hairline and stops before the end of the hairline, keeping it hidden from view. After raising the skin flap, Dr. Rizk works to adjust multiple layers of tissue that affect the way your skin looks, including the muscle (superficial muscle aponeurotic system), fat and outer skin layers. The layers are manipulated to enhance your cheek, nasolabial region, jaw line and limited aspects of your neck. Excess skin is then removed.

For more information about minimally invasive lifts, call our office today. Before you decide to proceed, Dr. Rizk requires a comprehensive one-on-one consultation with every new patient to be sure he knows your medical history, past surgeries, medications and any other aspects of your health that may impact your results. It is also critical that the patient understands what she can expect or not expect from the procedure.