Face Lift

A face-lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to create a younger look in the face. The procedure can reduce sagging skin. It can also help smooth folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline. A face-lift is also called a rhytidectomy.

During a face-lift, a flap of skin on each side of the face is pulled back. Tissues below the skin are altered, and excess skin is removed. This gives the face a more youthful shape.

A face-lift surgery can cause complications. Some can be managed with appropriate care, medication or another surgery. Long-term or permanent complications are rare but can cause changes in appearance. The risks include:

• Hematoma. A collection of blood (hematoma) under the skin is the most common complication of a face-lift. A hematoma causes swelling and pressure. It usually forms within 24 hours of surgery. When a hematoma forms, prompt treatment with surgery helps prevent damage to the skin and other tissues.

• Scarring. Incision scars from a face-lift are permanent. However, they're typically hidden by the hairline and natural contours of the face and ear. Rarely, incisions can result in raised scars.

Injections of a corticosteroid medication or other treatments might be used to improve the appearance of scars.

• Nerve injury. Injury to nerves is rare. An injury can affect nerves that control sensation or muscles. This effect may be temporary or permanent. Temporary loss of feeling or not being able to move a muscle of the face can last a few months to a year. It could result in an uneven facial appearance or expression. Surgery may offer some improvement.

• Hair loss. You might experience temporary or permanent hair loss near the incision sites. Permanent hair loss can be addressed with surgery to transplant skin with hair follicles.

• Skin loss. Rarely, a face-lift can interrupt the blood supply to facial tissues. This can result in skin loss. Skin loss is treated with medications and appropriate wound care. If necessary, a procedure can reduce scarring.

Like any other type of major surgery, a face-lift poses a risk of bleeding or infection. There's also a risk of having a reaction to the anesthesia. Certain medical conditions or lifestyle habits also can increase the risk of complications.

The following factors may present a risk of complications or result in unfavorable results. Your surgeon may advise against a face-lift in these cases:

• Blood-thinning medications or supplements. Taking medications or supplements that thin the blood can affect the blood's ability to clot. They can increase the risk of hematomas after surgery. These medications include blood thinners, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, fish oil and others.

• Medical conditions. If you have a medical condition that prevents blood clotting, you won't be able to have a face-lift. Other conditions may increase the risk of poor wound healing, hematomas or heart complications. They include poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Smoking. Smoking increases the risk of poor wound healing, hematomas and skin loss after a face-lift.

• Weight changes. If you have a history of repeated weight gain and loss, you may not be satisfied with the long-term outcome of the surgery. Weight changes affect the shape of the face and condition of the skin.