The medical term for Facelift is Rhytidectomy. Pronounced, [rit-i-dek-tuh-mee]

(rhytid) = wrinkle + (–ectomy) = surgical removal.

A Facelift is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and/or neck, such as deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth, fat that has fallen or is displaced, loss of muscle tone in the lower face creating jowls, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin.There is some confusion among consumers regarding what a Facelift surgery actually includes. The definition of face is:The front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin. It makes sense to assume that a facelift involves the lifting of the entire face from the hairline to the jaw line. This meaning however is not accurate when describing the typical target areas for a Face and Neck lift. For anatomical descriptive purposes, the human face is divided into horizontal thirds with lines drawn at the hairline, eyebrow, base of the nose and chin (see figure below).The name “Facelift” is a broad term that includes a variety of individualized facial cosmetic surgical procedures used to rejuvenate the middle and lower thirds of the face and neck. Usually, a Facelift describes the lifting of loose and excessive skin from the lower third of the face and the neck (figure X).The lower third of the face includes the skin in the region of the jaw.The neck includes the skin under the chin and jaw down to the collarbones. In contrast, a Browlift is a procedure to elevate a low or droopy Forehead and Eyebrow.A Midface Lift is a procedure that lifts the drooping facial tissue of the midface (cheeks).The midface is the middle 1/3 of the face.The midface is the area between the lower eyelids and upper lip. For more information on Browlifting and Midface lifting , please refer to the respective pages on this website.

For individuals dissatisfied with the aging appearance of their face and/or neck, a Face and Necklift may be a viable option. Lower Face and Necklifts include redistribution of the skin of the lower third of the face and the front and sides of the neck.In addition, tightening of the underlying muscles is achieved through various techniques dependent on variable anatomy.Reasons for performing the Face and Necklift include:

• sagging in the lower face
• deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
• fat that has fallen or is displaced
• loss of muscle tone in the lower face creating jowls
• loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin