Facial Rejuvenation – Undoing the Effects of Gravity

How fast does the aging process happen? 10 m/sec2.

That’s acceleration due to gravity and we see the effects in the drooping of the eyebrows, the eyelids, the nose, the jawline and the neck. Of course, there are many factors involved in the aging process. That includes genetics, solar damage and even stress. But, all contribute to that tired, worn look.

Today’s cosmetic surgery allows for an enhancement in one’s appearance. Development of new technology and newer techniques have made cosmetic surgery more available and more attainable, especially for today’s active person.

One of the biggest complaints is looking tired and angry when neither is true. Heavy eyebrows and eyelids contribute to that tired look. As the eyebrow descends, the upper eyelid looks heavier and heavier. The skin on the lid thins, eventually causing hooding of the lid, obstructing vision. Fatty tissue creeps out from behind the eye and gives a puffiness to the lids, too. Elevating the brows in a browlift can open the eyes and is further enhanced by blepharoplasty and removing excess skin and fat in the lids. The result is eyes which appear open and refreshed. The tired look is eliminated.

Like the rest of the face, the nose begins to droop with age, too. Rhinoplasty can complete the picture in facial rejuvenation. Correcting and refining a drooping tip can restore certain angles of the face which are not only more pleasing to the eye but also more youthful in appearance. Pinching and nasal obstruction can be corrected, as well. With placement of specific cartilage grafts, the nose will look better and function better.

When one looks in the mirror and suddenly sees her mother, the complaint is usually saggy jowls and a loose neck. As the muscles of the face loosen and the skin looses its elasticity, the jowls start to form; marionette lines start to deepen.

Likewise in the neck, the muscle loosens and the skin thins. The fatty deposits under the chin contribute to the wattle and there is an amorphous distinction between the face and neck. The goal of rhytidectomy, or facelift, is to reposition the muscle to reestablish the jawline, diminish the jowls and marionette lines and to tighten the neck. By removing fatty tissue and excess skin, the face appears youthful again.

These procedures are all very different but each shares the common goal of improving the appearance and restoring a previous youthful appearance. In each type of surgery, there are several options available. Procedures are tailored to the individual in order to achieve the look that the patient desires. With careful planning, the effects of gravity can be eliminated.