A Short Introduction to Facelift Procedures: History & Types

2021.10.24

Since the beginning of the 21st century, facelift procedures have become a popular anti-aging choice among Hollywood celebrities. With movie stars becoming a testament to how facelift procedures work, it didn’t take long before the general public started lining up to try this anti-aging procedure themselves.

Though facelift procedures remain a popular choice to this day, the first cosmetic type of procedure was performed back in 1901 by doctor Eugene Hollander from Berlin. He performed a procedure that would lift the corners of the patient’s mouth and cheeks. However, by today’s standards, this would not be classified as a facelift procedure since he simply removed excess tissue from the patient’s face.

More than a decade later in the year 1916, another German doctor names Erich Lexer modified Hollander’s technique by both removing excess tissue and lifting the skin. For some time in the 19th century, though gradual modifications were made when it comes to incision techniques, it was Lexer’s method that was used when performing facelift procedures. 

In the 1970s however, there was a breakthrough in the concept behind the procedure. Johannes Esser was a Dutch doctor during the second world war. At this time, he used a technique we commonly know today as “skin graft” to address deformities that soldiers acquired after being injured on the battlefield.

Around the same decade, Swedish doctor Tord Skoog established a new facelift method. He idealized that better facelift results could be achieved if deep layers of the skin were suspended and manipulated during the procedure. This method was later deemed as the new standard for facelift procedures and was given the name SMAS which stood for “superficial musculoaponeurotic system”.

Finally, in the last remaining years of the 20th century, a French doctor named Paul Tessier created a more modified version of the current facelift technique. The subperiosteal lift was done by removing tiny portions of the bone around the eyes to efficiently elevate the tissue around the area. The results were astounding as they looked more natural-looking compared to previous methods. 

 

Present Day Facelift Procedures

Without its long and eventful history, a normal facelift procedure would not be what it is today. The procedure’s ability to drastically remove years off of someone’s face has adapted throughout the decades with more and more people wanting to try modern techniques. 

Although today, different methods that both involve surgical and non-surgical procedures are available in the market, the techniques that were first developed by the pioneers are still being utilized in the cosmetic industry.  Medical companies are also adapting to the rise of demands since many patients are lining up to try different methods that can cater to their needs. 

Facelift procedures can be done in different parts of the face including the neck area. Typically, a facelift is considered an outpatient procedure and patients can simply start the recovery process in the comfort of their homes. However, this all depends on the facelift procedure that patients want to get done. Since a procedure can last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, doctors may utilize either a local anesthetic or general anesthesia. 
 

Different Types of Surgical Facelift Procedures

With demands for facelift procedures rising continuously, experts have to adapt to methods that can cater to patients’ requests. Though the concept behind facelift procedures remains the same, the application varies from person to person. Some people may choose to simply have the procedure done on the upper part of their face while others may prefer the complete package. 

Whatever the case may be, patients must first consult their doctors to determine the most suitable procedure for their desired outcome. Since there are many types of facelift procedures, doctors must assess the patients to understand their boundaries. Here are the most popular types of facelift procedures today.
 

  • Upper Facelift
    - From the name itself, upper facelifts are performed on the upper half of the face. They are also popularly known as “brow lifts” since upper facelifts commonly address the forehead, upper eye, or eyebrow area. The procedure works by lifting the skin around the upper face to pull back the sagging skin around the eyes. 

    - It can provide patients with a more youthful and brighter looking-appearance. Although facelifts do not exactly change the texture of your skin, this procedure can be beneficial to those who have deep wrinkles around the forehead or drooping eyelids. Upper facelifts are said to remove 10 to 15 years off of someone’s appearance depending on how the procedure is efficiently performed. 
     

  • Mid Facelift 
    - This type of procedure deals with the corners of the eyes down to the corners of the mouth. It is also popularly known as a “cheek lift” since the procedure can drastically affect the areas around the cheekbones. Mid-facelifts can correct issues such as undereye-hollows or drooping cheeks. 

    - Mid-facelifts can provide a more youthful appearance by making the eyes look less sunken or hollow. It can also address dynamic wrinkles around the cheeks which may become more noticeable as people age. Mid-facelifts can last a lifetime provided that you incorporate proper skincare after the procedure. 
     

  • Lower Facelift
    - This type of facelift involves all areas below the corners of the mouth. This includes the jawline, nasolabial folds, and even the neck or chin area. Lower facelifts can drastically remove the years off of someone’s appearance since the neck area shows some of the most evident signs of aging. 

    - The downtime for lower facelifts or any kind of facelift depends on the person’s age and desired procedure. The typical recovery period can range anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks with most patients being able to return to work after that time frame. 
     

  • Full Facelift
    - Unlike the other three types of facelifts mentioned above, a full facelift is a procedure that is performed in different areas of the entire face. This includes the forehead, brows, eyes, cheeks, jawline, and neck areas. A full facelift may involve getting rid of excess skin or tightening the tissues around problematic areas. 

    - Full facelifts may also require a series of surgical procedures instead of one since it involves different areas of the face. Though full facelifts may cause more bruising or swelling, the recovery period only takes a few weeks until the patient can go back to work. 

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