Facial plastic surgery also known as a facelift is an intervention intended to restore the specific changes in the face that occur with age. It is suitable for both women and men. The procedure is successfully used for sagging skin on the neck or around the lips, wrinkles on the forehead as well as eye bags on the lower eyelids. The best candidates for a facelift are people who are simply looking to roll back the hands of time and look more like their younger self.
In Singapore, most of the women between ages 40 and 50 consider a facelift.
Table of Contents
What is a facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and firms sagging facial tissues. It is focused on the lower face and neck. The result is visible facial rejuvenation. Having a face lift you can achieve the following goals:
- Improving the appearance of the contour of the lower face and jow;
- Reduction of sagging in the nasolabial folds;
- Improving the condition of wrinkles in the corner of the eyes;
- Smoothing of horizontal wrinkles on the neck;
- Tightening the muscles under the chin.
Types of facelift in Singapore
There are different types of facelifts available today and it is because different individuals can age at different rates. If you search “facelift procedure” online, you may actually come out thinking there are hundreds of different types of facelifts. Here are some major types of facelifts.
Skin lift
This is a plastic surgery where the skin is undermined and then pulled back. This was the most common type until the mid-80s. The problem with the skin lift is that the underlying architecture is not outer of the face and many times the patients will present with very weak neckline and heavy jowls. Skin lift alone is not going to take care of this.
Traditional facelift
It is performed by making an incision around the ears and into the hairline as well as a small incision below the chin. The skin is dissected from the underlying muscles allowing tightening of the muscle of the face and neck.
Vertical facelift
While traditional facelift pulling the facial skin horizontally which can be noticeable and unnatural, the vertical facelift lifts the excess skin vertically and provide a more natural appearance.
Mini facelift
It can be utilized to address along the jawline. The procedure is suitable for people who want less surgery probably on the younger side because they don’t have so signs of ageing. The difference between a mini facelift and full facelift is a difference of degrees. In a mini facelift, there may not be muscle involvement at all because of the limited degree of undermining. Also, the amount of skin that is removed is much smaller with a mini facelift.
Mid-facelift
This type targets the middle third of the face. The procedure involves making a tiny incision in the hair and inside of the mouth so there is almost nothing from the outside that would show. A mid facelift can lift the whole cheek area improving the shape.
The difference between one type of facelift procedure and the next is simply about how extensively the surgeon lifts that underlying tissue or how extensive the skin incision is based on where the patient has the most laxity. Some patients think they need a full facelift but they only need a neck lift and other patients think they need a neck lift but they need a full facelift. It is the specialist job to tell the patients what they need in order to get an optimal outcome but also to give them the option of a lesser procedure if it is appropriate for them. The important thing in order to minimize scarring in a facelift is not to rely on the skin to give the lift but rather lift the face with the underlying tissue and then the skin is just gently placed where it needs to be after that lift is achieved.
Are there any non-surgical facelift alternatives?
“Facelift alternatives a complete guide” is a phrase that many young women in Singapore are searching for. As there is a high demand, science has provided the means for such alternatives. Here are some of the most popular non-surgical facelift procedures in Singapore:
- Dermal fillers – they replace the lost volume and restore natural-looking contours;
- Laser skin resurfacing – this improves fine lines and wrinkles and also treats the spots from the Sun;
- Ultherapy – it is a non-invasive procedure that sends ultrasound energy into the collagen that is in the deeper connective tissue. Ultherapy lifts chin, brows, neck, and improve the wrinkles. The ideal candidate for this treatment is between 20 and 30 years old because the time to build collagen is when you are young.
- Neuromodulators – these are agents like Botox and Disport- they can slow down the repetitive motions that create creases in the skin
- HIFU facelift – this is a treatment that is considered as a noninvasive and painless replacement for a facelift. The treatment is best suited for clients who have mild-to-moderate skin laxity, lowered eyebrow lines, or sagging skin on the eyelids. It is one of the most popular facelift procedures in Singapore.
- Vampire facelift – it is a non-invasive procedure that uses the patient’s blood to create a youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Vampire facial is a similar treatment that became popular in 2013 when some celebrities posted their pictures on Instagram. Vampire facelifts and vampire facial can be easy to confuse. The difference between them is that vampire facelift uses a filler with PRP, while vampire facials combine microneedling to deliver the effects of PRP more deeply into the skin.
It’s important to know the differences between each technique because the technique that would apply the best 45-year-old face differs dramatically from the technique that would most likely work best in a 75-year-old face.
When is the right time to have a facelift?
People often ask when is the best time to have a face lift is. There really isn’t a specific age. For most of the patients there comes a time when the face looking back at them at the mirror doesn’t really match how they feel on the inside. While most people are in their mid to late 50s there is a broad range of ages for undergoing a facelift.
While typically patients looking for a facelift are in their 60s or 70s the age range is less relevant than the actual physical changes. There is some seven-year-old patient that doctor recommend non-surgical tightening treatments and some 50-year-old patients that specialist recommends a face lift. It really depends on what their specific problems are.
How to prepare for a surgical facelift in Singapore?
- The first step is to go for a consultation. During the examination, the doctor will take a photo of your face to reflect its current condition.
- Your surgeon will decide if the plastic surgery is right for you.
- The surgeon will assess the condition of your skin, bone structure, depth of wrinkles. You will discuss the result you want and how it can be achieved. You will be shown where the incisions will be made.
- If you need an invasive treatment you will be informed about the facelift surgery recovery period and the possible risks and complications related to the upcoming procedure. You will receive instructions on what to do before the operation and what tests you will need.
What is expected of you during the consultation:
- Ask the surgeon any questions you have about the upcoming procedure such as “how long does a regular facelift last?”, or “how long does a mini facelift last?”, “do I need ultherapy or mini facelift?”, etc. They will answer all your questions.
- Inform your doctor if you have any illnesses, as well as any medications you are currently taking.
How to find a surgeon in Singapore?
Even if you have found the best clinic for plastic surgery in Singapore, it is also important to choose the best plastic surgeon. When you are looking for a surgeon to perform a face lift you must find somebody who is trained and has experience in doing these procedures. Most importantly is to agree with the surgeon’s overall aesthetic. The way to do that is to look at before and after photos of patients that he or she is treated and make sure you like their results.
If you have concerned with those areas go in for a consultation. It’s really important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon in Singapore. Having a consultation with him he will explore all the options with you and will make the decision for you that will really match your outcome goals. The face lift gives you back the confidence that you have probably lost all over the years that you didn’t even realize that you are wrong.
Cost of facelift in Singapore
When you are looking to have face lifting in Singapore it comes to question: How much does it cost? There are different types so each one will have a different price. Several factors go into facelift price in Singapore such as: ”What is the actual procedure that you are going to do?”, “Do you need multiple procedures that are going to be done at the same time?”, and so on.
How much is a full facelift in Singapore? It would cost you around $20000 to $25000. A mini facelift usually starts from $10000 and can go up to $15000 depending on the aesthetic clinic. Vertical facelift cost is similar.
The cost of a non-surgical facelift may vary between $1500 to $6000. A thread lift in Singapore is around $4000 to $6000. HIFU facelift may cost you around $500 to $1000. The cost of Ultherapy in Singapore varies depending on the area that needs to be treated. For example, if you only need treatment of the brows and eye area it may cost you $700. But if you need treatment in a bigger area such as cheeks it would cost you around $2000.