The medical term for this procedure is meloplasty which literally means to shape or mould the cheek however even plastic surgeons refer to the procedure as a facelift.
The term is rather ironic because a traditional facelift does not affect the cheek but addresses the lower face and the neck. The cheek which is otherwise known as the midface can be included in the facial rejuvenation which is then referred to as an extended facelift. Plastic surgical procedures fall under the umbrella of 3 broad groups of operations. Those that are designed to restore abnormal anatomy, to improve normal features and to reverse the signs of ageing. Facelift falls into the latter group.
Facial rejuvenation aims to give a more youthful appearance and lustre to the face and neck regions and addresses the following common effects of ageing.
- Excess skin and fat in the neck
- Neck bands (caused by contraction of the platysma muscle)
- Lower facial jowls and marionette lines
- The midface and nasolabial fold
It is very important to note that the windswept, feline like appearing “Hollywood facelift” is a non-typical stereotype and that facial rejuvenation can be performed with minimal downtime and risks and natural looking results. (LINK to Philosophy of Facelift)
It involves an incision which is hidden in and around the natural creases of the ear. The plane under the skin is then dissected and undermined with tightening of the underlying SMAS layer which is the supportive layer of the face. The skin is then redraped and tightened whilst discarding the excess. A facelift is often combined with other forms of facial aesthetics such as upper and lower blepharoplasty and browlift.
Please see an opinion piece on enbloc deep plane facelift by Dr Miguel Cabalag Registered Medical Practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (Speciality Registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery) – click to enlarge or follow the link below.
En bloc Deep Plane Facelift Article
