Upper Facelift & Lower Facelift: Which One Do You Need?
- Posted on: Jan 15 2025
A facelift is a highly effective way to refresh your appearance by addressing common signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. With carefully placed incisions in areas that can easily be concealed, our highly trained plastic surgeons can help you tighten your facial features and obtain a more youthful and balanced appearance.
Facelifts aren’t a one-size-fits-all procedure, there are different options tailored to your unique needs. While a full facelift is ideal for addressing significant sagging, many patients are now turning to limited incision techniques for more subtle enhancements. The two most popular choices are upper and lower facelifts, each targeting specific areas of the face. In this blog, we’ll help you understand the differences so you can determine which option is the best for you.
What Is an Upper Facelift?
As the name suggests, an upper facelift is used when you want to lift and tighten the skin on the upper portion of your face. This includes the forehead, upper eyelids, and other areas above the eyes. The incisions are usually hidden just past your hairline, and the results look natural once the skin heals.
This procedure is often recommended for patients who have deep forehead wrinkles, droopy eyelids, and sagging brows. These aesthetic issues can make you look constantly tired or angry, even though that’s nowhere close to your mood. Depending on the level of skin laxity that you experience, you may also combine this surgical procedure with a brow lift.
What Is a Lower Facelift?
As you age, your body loses its ability to create more elastin and collagen, causing the skin in the lower area of the face to weaken and start drooping. This could lead to sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. For instance, nasolabial folds can rarely be prevented, as they are deepened by a natural loss of these crucial proteins.
A lower facelift is designed to refine and rejuvenate the lower portion of the face, targeting sagging skin along the jawline and smoothing out wrinkles for a more youthful contour. Incisions are generally made along the ears and may be extended for more advanced cases of skin laxity. At Azul, our expert physicians can also combine a lower facelift with a neck lift to address concerns like a “turkey neck,” ensuring a seamless and natural-looking transformation.
Which Facelift Option to Consider?
The right facelift option for you depends on your unique skin concerns, which will be carefully evaluated during your consultation. If forehead wrinkles and drooping eyelids are your main concerns, an upper facelift may be the best choice. However, if you’ve noticed a weaker chin, deepening nasolabial folds, or sagging jowls, a lower facelift might be recommended to restore a firmer, more youthful look.
Some patients opt to combine both procedures for a more balanced and refreshed appearance. For example, if you’re in your 40s, addressing either the upper or lower face may be enough to achieve a youthful life. But for those nearing or into their 60s, then combining the two might offer a more comprehensive rejuvenation.
What Can You Expect After an Upper or Lower Facelift?
The recovery process from an upper or lower facelift is shorter than a full-face procedure, as fewer incisions are made. You can expect some swelling and bruising in the first few weeks, but you should see noticeable improvement once that goes down. It is important for you to lay low for the first few days, as extensive effort can prolong surgical inflammation.
Both upper and lower facelifts are permanent, but even so, they don’t stop the natural aging process. For this reason, you might want to follow a nourishing skincare routine and perhaps schedule a collagen-inducing treatment at least once a year.
Get Your Facelift Appointment Today!
Some people might benefit from a lower facelift, whereas others could find more convenience in an upper facelift. A combination of both could also be a good option for some patients. During your consultation, we will help you determine which option works best for your needs, so book an appointment with Azul® Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa as soon as possible!
To learn more about the different types of facelifts, contact Azul® Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa at 239-379-8924. We can offer you the details you need to make the best decision for yourself. You can also get in touch with us using the online contact form!
Posted in: Facelift