The Modern Facelift - Maximum results with minimum downtime

Written by: Mr Chris McDonald
Published:
Edited by: Carlota Pano

As we age, our skin loses elasticity, causing wrinkles, sagging and jowls. A facelift is a surgical procedure that can help restore a more youthful appearance by lifting and tightening the skin and the underlying muscles of the face and the neck.

 

In this article, Mr Chris McDonald, renowned consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Aberdeen, explains the modern facelift and its benefits.

 

 

What is a face and neck lift?

 

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the skin and the underlying tissues of the face and the neck to create a more youthful appearance. There are several types of facelifts, including the mini facelift, the SMAS lift, and the deep plane facelift.

 

I offer a full range of surgical facelifts, with particular emphasis on the R facelift, which is a modified deep plane facelift that provides excellent results with less downtime.

 

How is a face and neck lift performed?

 

Throughout the procedure, patients are given sedation and local anaesthetic. This ‘twilight anaesthesia’ is a safer alternative to general anaesthetic, and allows a faster recovery with fewer complications. Incisions are then made in inconspicuous places, such as around the ear and the hairline, to minimise scarring. The skin is then lifted, and underlying tissues are tightened. Excess skin and fat may be removed, and the remaining skin is re-draped for a smoother appearance.

 

The procedure takes between two to four hours, depending on the extent of the lift.

 

Where are the incisions made and hidden?

 

The incisions are typically made around the ear and the hairline, where they can be easily hidden by the natural contours of the face. If a neck lift is also being performed, the incision extends in the crease behind the ear and into the hairline, where they are well-hidden.

 

Can a face and neck lift be combined with other aesthetic procedures?

 

Yes, a face and neck lift can be combined with other aesthetic procedures, such as Pixel laser resurfacing, MyElevate minimally invasive neck lifts, PRP fillers, and fat transfer to take results to the next level.

 

Pixel laser is a fractional ablative laser that can improve skin texture, reduce pigmentation, and stimulate collagen production.

 

MyElevate is a minimally invasive procedure that lifts and tightens the skin of the neck and the jowls using special sutures.

 

What are the benefits of combining a face and neck lift in a single operation?

 

Combining a face and neck lift in a single operation can provide several benefits. Firstly, it saves time and reduces the number of appointments required. Secondly, it can provide more dramatic results than either procedure alone. Finally, combining procedures can help to minimise downtime and recovery time.

 

How long does it take to recover after a face and neck lift?

 

The recovery time after a face and neck lift can vary depending on the extent of the procedure. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within two to three weeks, although strenuous activities should be avoided for at least six weeks.

 

I use the latest technology and techniques to minimise downtime and enhance recovery, so that my patients can enjoy their new, youthful appearance as soon as possible.

 

 

Experience a more beautiful and confident you with Mr Chris McDonald and the team at Profile Aesthetic, the leading provider of facial plastic surgery in Scotland.

 

If you are considering a face and/or neck lift and would like to know how Profile Aesthetic can help you achieve your desired look, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with Mr McDonald via his Top Doctors profile today.

By Mr Chris McDonald
Oral & maxillofacial surgery

Mr Chris McDonald is a highly skilled consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Aberdeen who specialises in facial plastic surgery, skin cancer surgery and reconstruction surgery for the face, mouth and neck. Included in his clinical practice are minimally invasive face and neck lift, blepharoplasty and otoplasty procedures alongside state-of-the-art laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) dermal fillers. With a background in complex facial bone reconstruction, Mr McDonald is also one of the only surgeons in Scotland qualified to perform chin and jaw reshaping procedures.

Mr McDonald is dual-certified in dentistry and medicine with honours. After qualifying as a dentist in Dundee, Mr McDonald studied medicine in Aberdeen and completed higher surgical training at the acclaimed Liverpool Head and Neck Centre. As a trainee, Mr McDonald established and chaired the UK-wide Maxillofacial Trainee Research Collaborative programme. In 2019, Mr McDonald was awarded with the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Shanghai head and neck fellowship.

Currently, Mr McDonald is a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. As clinical lead for the NHS Grampian oral and maxillofacial service, he is also closely involved in the introduction and development of robotic head and neck surgery to the north of Scotland. He has a clinical and research focus on minimising complications and reducing recovery times.

Further to his clinical responsibilities, Mr McDonald is a prominent figure in clinical research. He has been a principal investigator for a number of cancer and COVID-19 clinical trials. As a leading figure in his specialty, Mr McDonald is also a two-time winner of the distinguished Scottish Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery prize, and a member of various professional organisations.

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