It’s inevitable. As the years add up, our foreheads expand and our hairlines retreat, our ears get longer as the cartilage in them grows, and the tips of our noses will droop due to weakening supporting nasal cartilage.

At some point in our lives, we all must face the consequences of gravity on our skin.

Luckily, there are options available if you wish to lessen these effects as you grow older. If you’re concerned with wrinkles or sagging skin, facelift surgery may be the solution you need to boost your confidence.

There are several types of facelifts to choose from when working with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.

Keep reading to learn more about getting a facelift and the different types of facelifts available to choose from.

What Is Facelift Surgery?

Unfortunately, gravity is most unforgiving on the face and neck.

Over time, your skin loses elasticity and volume, which results in the formation of wrinkles and the sagging of your skin.

A facelift is a surgical cosmetic procedure executed to lift and firm the skin of your face, neck, or both.

The loosening of skin is a natural part of aging. However, many of us are self-conscious when these visible signs of getting older appear. Facelift procedures are among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed each year.

How to Choose From Several Types of Facelifts

It’s essential to do your research before any cosmetic procedure to know what to expect and how to choose from available options.

And there is no storage of options available. There are several factors to consider before electing to have a facelift procedure. Choosing an appropriate cosmetic surgeon might be the most important.

Atlanta Face & Body offers several types of facelifts. Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker has performed more than 5,000 facelifts during her career and now performs the following signature procedures.

Signature Mini Facelift

Softened jawlines and skin laxity are common as we age. Younger women in their 40s and 50s are beginning to elect for mini facelifts at the first sign of aging.

Dr. Whitaker’s Signature Mini Facelift is a revolutionary advancement in facelift surgery. It targets the most prominent aging areas in the lower face—specifically neck laxity and sagging jowls. This procedure is less invasive but provides a rejuvenated, refreshed, and natural appearance.

If you’re concerned about aging prematurely or just wish to lessen the appearance of sagging skin or “jowling,” you’re a candidate for a mini facelift. To perform this minimally invasive procedure, a cosmetic surgeon makes shorter incisions along the hairline to tighten facial tissues.

The patient will experience local or general anesthesia with sedation. If done correctly, a mini facelift can address the early signs of aging enough to ward off a more comprehensive approach for many years.

Recovery times for a mini facelift is typically much shorter than for a traditional one. As you heal, you must avoid strenuous activity. You’ll feel better after a few days of downtime, but the swelling won’t ultimately improve for several weeks.

Each facelift is customized for the patient. Your surgeon will give you a detailed recovery strategy. This will guarantee that you resume regular activities as soon as possible. Taking the time you need to heal will ensure the best long-term results.

Signature Lift

A traditional “full” facelift addresses moderated to advanced signs of age around the neck and face. It’s an extensive procedure with deeper incisions, which results in a longer recovery time than a patient experiences after a mini facelift.

During a full facelift, the surgeon makes incisions at the temples, behind the hairline, and around the front of the ears. These incisions are useful for repositioning the deeper tissues. The surgeon then removes any excess skin. Less skin eliminates sagging and smooths wrinkles, leading to a more youthful appearance.

The face is broken down into three major regions: upper, mid, and lower. Many people believe that one facelift surgery will address all areas of the face at once. However, most procedures treat only the mid and lower regions. An upper facelift, or “brow lift,” is a different procedure, although some surgeons will perform them in tandem with a full facelift.

Your facelift procedure can also be customized to add cosmetic work on other areas such as the cheeks, eyelids, neck, jawline, and elsewhere.

High SMAS Facelift

The High Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) facelift technique offers less-overdone and longer-lasting results than some other procedures. They are famous for those looking to reverse the clock on aging.

This facelift technique securely suspends the cheek area. As the subcutaneous mass and skin are attached to the SMAS, they’re repositioned as a single unit.

When a surgeon performs this technique, the skin isn’t overtightened. If the skin isn’t overly tight, it won’t take on an unwanted “stretched” appearance. Putting skin under less stress results in less scarring as well.

A High SMAS facelift results in a natural and balanced facial rejuvenation. This natural look is thanks to focusing more on the movement and release of fat and muscle layers of the face instead of pulling and removing the skin.

Compared to a traditional, full facelift, a High SMAS facelift is performed as a surgeon addresses the SMAS layer. They release specific ligaments that attach the layer to the facial structure.

Your skin is naturally elastic, so it will inevitable begin to stretch and sag following a traditional facelift. Addressing the SMAS layer in addition to the skin, longer results can be achieved. In part, this is thanks to the thick SMAS layer being near the ear, which leads to more secure, stable sutures.

Because this work occurs at a deeper level, a High SMAS facelift procedure is less traumatic to the skin. Less trauma means better healing, less bruising, and less-pronounced scarring. Any visible scars tend to virtually disappear within a year.

Liquid Facelift

As women approach their late 20s and early 30s, they tend to have a heart-shaped, triangle face. This shape is associated with youthfulness—think of the “apples” of your cheeks.

Over time, however, the triangle begins to invert. While youthful cheeks are highlighted in an upward direction, older skin takes on a downward emphasis. This emphasis on the lower face is primarily due to the loss of fat volume in the face. A Liquid Facelift procedure can revert the triangle, restoring a youthful look.

A Liquid Facelift involves specialized dermal fillers to restore lost volume. Sometimes, Botox or platelet-rich plasma (from your own blood) is added in conjunction with these advanced fillers.

When this combination is placed correctly, they can contour or lift your facial features and recreate a more youthful look by replacing lost volume. A talented cosmetic surgeon can “lift” your cheeks and restore fullness without requiring surgery or incisions.

Through restoring volume, your skin will look more radiant but will also appear more rested. As the apple comes back in your cheeks, highlights prevent shadows on your face.

Signature ProfileLift

Many people who experience jowling along their jawline or have a double chin consider having a cosmetic procedure performed at some point. Jowling often occurs as a result of aging and lost facial volume. However, double chins often don’t have anything to do with your age or weight.

If you have a double chin, it may be genetic. Many young, fit people elect to have surgeries to remediate this condition. This is why Dr. Elizabeth’s Signature ProfileLift Facelift is a popular procedure.

This facelift combines liposuction and laser technology to increase the amount of skin tightening. The procedure improves the appearance of your neck and profile with fewer incisions compared to a traditional facelift. The Signature ProfileLift Facelift is exclusive to Atlanta Face & Body.

This facelift is practically incisionless, as Dr. Elizabeth creates access points under the chin and base of the earlobes to less invasively contour the jawline.

When using the laser, Dr. Elizabeth targets small areas of excess skin or fat under the chin. This breaks up the fat and tightens loose skin at the same time to create a more youthful-looking, defined profile.

After this procedure, you’ll experience some swelling and bruising. Once these effects subside, however, the skin under your chin and along your jawline will be tighter, creating a more defined profile. Unless you gain excess weight, these results are permanent. You’ll receive all of the information you need at your consultation to discuss the procedure.

Signature PrecisionLift

As we age, sometimes we begin to notice deep creases and wrinkles around the corners of our mouths. Those in their 30s and 40s may notice these signs of aging and elect for a Signature PrecisionLift to address their concerns.

This procedure is minimally invasive, as it is performed through access points and minimal—if any—incisions.

If you’re experiencing early aging changes such as mild neck laxity and jowling, consider a Signature PrecisionLift performed by Dr. Elizabeth. The first step is scheduling a private consultation to determine whether this procedure is recommended for you. Sometimes, the Mini Lift or Signature Lift are better options—each patient is unique, and several factors are considered.

To perform the Signature PrecisionLift, Dr. Elizabeth creates access points by the chin and ears. To eliminate pain, she will inject numbing fluid into areas for the laser to treat the skin’s underlying tissue. Fat tissue is removed from the jawline and neck through tiny openings created for a laser fiber and cannula.

After this procedure, the jawline and neck are contoured, and laser skin tightening is performed to optimize the results. It can be done with local anesthesia and relaxation and is typically over in less than an hour.

If you have this procedure done, you’ll experience minor swelling and bruising that should improve in a few days. You should rest and perform only minimal activities for one week. You’ll go back to the office for a follow-up about one week after your surgery.

Signature NeckLift Facelift

If your only concern is loose skin around your neck, the Signature NeckLift might be the perfect solution for you. After all, the neck is one of the first areas where skin elasticity begins to relax, which causes a prematurely older appearance.

This procedure is something to consider if you’re self-conscious about loose skin. Both men and women can benefit from this specialized procedure to regain a more youthful appearance.

To perform a Signature NeckLift, Dr. Elizabeth creates small incisions behind the ears and under the chin. The placement of these incisions makes it possible to address signs of aging in the neck adequately.

A neck lift tightens loose skin by gently removing excess tissue and providing a firmer appearance. It also results in less downtime than more invasive cosmetic procedures. Plus, any scars from this procedure are well hidden.

What’s the First Step?

If you’re interested in getting a facial cosmetic procedure, you’re now familiar with several types of facelifts that may be options for you.

Choosing cosmetic surgery can offer a massive boost in confidence. After the procedure, you’ll have a younger, tighter jawline and neck. This refreshed appearance is long-lasting, which can improve your quality of life.

When considering cosmetic surgery, it’s essential to choose the right cosmetic surgeon for the job. Do adequate research on their record and practice. Always read reviews before consulting with any potential surgeons.

When you book a consultation, come prepared with questions. Ask your surgeon about their specific training and experience. Don’t be afraid to ask how many procedures they’ve performed. The best surgeons will offer before and after photos during your consultation.

Most importantly, ensure that you’re considering a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.

Your next step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker at Atlanta Face & Body. When you’re ready, call us at 678-888-3223 or book a free consultation today.