Facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that is used to give a more youthful facial appearance.
Ageing brings with it the inevitable of loose sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines and deep folds.
Facelift is one of the most effective ways for people in Singapore to turn back the clock on these problems on the face associated with ageing from the face all the way to the neck.
This surgery is meant to tighten loose facial skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles beyond injections such as botox.
Facelift, which can be done for both men and women, is fast gaining popularity as people seek to reverse the signs of ageing, and with the advance of modern plastic surgery techniques, no one will know that you have been under the knife.
During a facelift, a flap of the skin on both sides of the face is pulled back to return the face to a more youthful look. More will be explored in the sections below.
Other procedures that might be performed together with facelift surgery include double eyelid surgery, brow lift or neck lift.
In this article, we will discuss the very popular questions from Singaporeans on facelift, including:
- Why is a facelift done?
- Who is suitable for a facelift procedure?
- How is the facelift done?
- Different types of facelift
- What to expect after the procedure
- How to get the best results
- Questions to ask your doctor during consultation
- Non-surgical alternatives to facelift
- Reviews of patients who have undergone facelift in Singapore
- How to find the best Facelift doctor in Singapore
Why is a facelift procedure done?
This procedure is done because as we age, we lose elasticity in our skin.
On top of that, our facial tissues lose volume and fat deposit increases in some areas and decreases in other areas.
This causes a change in the appearance and shape of our face. Although this is part of growing old, people who are concerned about these problems can consider a facelift.
Here are some issues that would warrant a facelift:
- Sagging skin on the face
- Excess skin on the jawline
- Sagging skin on the neck
- Wrinkly skin on the face or neck area
However, for those who are looking for a solution to changes in skin colour or to treat the wrinkles, facelift would not be the treatment for those problems.
Who is suitable for a facelift procedure?
This procedure is suitable for people who are self-conscious about the way they look due to sagging skin on their face and neck.
Instead of hiding, they want to undergo facelift to feel more confident about themselves. In general, one should have a positive outlook with realistic expectations.
Patients who wish to undergo this procedure should be in good general health and no pre-existing conditions.
As for the procedure, if you have ageing concerns such as sagging skin beyond the one line of wrinkle in which case can be dealt with botox or fillers, you will be a good candidate for facelift surgery.
As this is a surgical procedure, one should be in general good health to undergo this procedure. For those who smoke, you will have to stop smoking prior to and during the recovery phase as smoking can result in decreased blood flow resulting in increased scarring, infection and other post-operation complications.
How is a Facelift procedure done?
Because each face has a unique shape and contour, each patient’s surgery will be different.
During a traditional facelift, the doctor makes an incision that typically begins around the hairline from the temple and curves around the earlobe, ending at the bottom of the hairline.
The surgeon may also make a small incision under the chin to specifically tighten the skin of the neck.
There will be a point of main incision and also the secondary incision, together with the area of dissection (as per picture).
The plastic surgeon will then separate the skin from the underlying tissue, where fat is removed and the surrounding muscle and tissue is repositioned and tightened.
The tissues below the skin are surgically altered to return the face to a more youthful look.
Thereafter, the skin is pulled upwards where the excess is trimmed and the incisions closed.
The main scar is hidden behind the hairline and there will only be a small visible scar below the chin.
What are the different types of Facelift?
There are several different types of facelift that you can undergo:
Mini-lift
The mini-lift is term is used to describe less-invasive procedures that use a smaller incision and work on a smaller area of the face than a traditional facelift.
It is designed to improve the appearance of loose skin in the neck, but with less dramatic results than a traditional facelift.
After using anesthesia to numb the patient’s face, the doctor will make an S-shaped incision from the patient’s sideburn, around the ear, toward the bottom of the hairline.
The surgeon will then tighten the connective tissue under the skin, removes excess skin, and closes the incision with small sutures. This procedure can help to address the signs of ageing before they become obvious.
Depending on the what the surgeon determines, a mini facelift can be done using local anaesthesia or a general anaesthesia.
S-Lift
The S-lift works on just the lower third of the face, smoothing out the neck and jowls. After applying anesthetic near the ear, the surgeon will make an S-shaped incision and separate the skin from the tissue underneath.
When the skin is lifted, the underlying muscles and tissues will become tightened.
Because of the smaller area being worked on (and therefore the smaller incision), this technique takes less time than a traditional facelift, and the recovery time is shorter.
Mid-facelift
For the mid-facelift, the doctor will make tiny incisions in the hairline above the patient’s ear, and also inside the mouth, leaving practically no scars.
For the procedure, the surgeon pulls the fat in the cheeks up and over the cheekbones to tighten sagging skin in the cheekbone area.
Doctors often perform this procedure using an endoscope — a tiny camera that allows the doctor to visualize the surgical area.
At times plastic surgeons will perform the mid-facelift together with double eyelid surgery.
What can I expect after my Facelift procedure?
After the procedure, one can expect:
- Mild swelling
- Bruising
- Numbness
- Moderate pain
- Drainage from the incisions
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience (after your procedure):
- Shortness of breath
- Severe pain on the face or neck within 24 hours of surgery
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeats
- Bleeding from the wounds
Patients typically return to action after about 2 weeks. One will have to wait till about 4 weeks to go back to strenuous exercise. Every patient heals differently, so it is important to listen to your Doctor’s instructions on how best to heal properly.
If you are wondering how soon you can face people after your facelift procedure, many patients would feel comfortable going out in public after 1.5 weeks or so. Unlike a breast surgery, one will not be able to cover the operated part easily as it is on the face.
Swelling will be at the peak about 2 days after surgery and the swelling and bruising will gradually get better from thereon.
If you want to put on make up, be sure to check with your doctor whether it is safe to do so during your recovery.
How to ensure you get the best result for your facelift procedure?
Facelift is a common procedure in Singapore, especially for people above 45 years old. When you visit your doctor for your consultation, it is best to ask the doctor to show you some before and after pictures of their patients. Due to MOH regulations, they will only be able to show you the before after pictures in their clinics.
- Discuss the goals of your facelift procedure with your doctor
It is best to discuss in detailed the type of results that you want. Be open and be specific so the doctor can get you the end results that you are looking for.
- Based on your goals, discuss the right procedure for you
While you think you might need a facelift, depending on what you are looking for, perhaps a non surgical alternative might suit you better. Your doctor will discuss with you what would be best procedure for the results that you are looking for.
- Discuss the likely outcomes and potential complications
Once the type of facelift procedure have been determined, discuss with your doctor the likely outcome that would result from the procedure. This is important because it would set your expectations right. At the same time, as this is an invasive procedure, discuss the potential complications that could arise as a result.
- Best recovery after the procedure
As important as the procedure is the recovery, because if you do not recover well after your surgery, you will not get the result you want. Do follow your doctor’s advice for the best recovery after your procedure.
What are some questions to ask your doctor during your Facelift consultation?
Use this checklist to ask your doctor in Singapore during your consultation:
- How many facelift procedures have you done?
- Do you have any good results of patients that you have operated on to show?
- Do you have any before after pictures that I can look at for this procedure?
- Am I a good candidate for facelift procedure?
- Where and how will you perform my procedure?
- What will be expected of me to get the best results?
- What type of facelift procedure would suit me?
- What is the recovery period?
- What should I do to recover well to get the best results?
- What are the risks associated with facelift?
- How long is the recovery time?
- Are there cases whereby the facelift procedure fails?
- What are the options if I’m not satisfied with the procedure?
If I don’t want to undergo the surgical facelift procedure, what are some non-surgical alternatives to facelift in Singapore?
Here are some non-surgical alternatives to facelift in Singapore that you can undergo:
1. Thread Lift
Threadlift, also known as featherlift, uses a special thread to boost drooping skin. After applying anesthesia, the doctor inserts a needle and surgical thread (or a suture like polypropylene) into the skin via a small incision which is a couple of millimeters long.
Just like sewing a piece of fabric together, when the thread is pulled tight, the muscle and tissue tighten with it and the doctor can hide this excess tissue in places such as the scalp that is not easily seen. This allows threadlift to recontour the facial skin, and the total time needed is only about 30 minutes. This procedure is relatively painless and easy, gaining it popularity for threadlift in Singapore.
2. Thermage
Thermage is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure, and uses a radio frequency device to tighten the skin, and is best suited for younger patients with slight wrinkles.
The heat of the radio frequency energy activates the skin’s natural renewal process of collagen. This results in the skin tightening and improves the smoothness and texture of the skin.
3. Botox
Botox has become increasingly common for use in facial rejuvenation. Botox is injected under the surface of the skin and paralyzes the underlying muscles due to the neurotoxin called botulinum toxin.
It can be used to remove fine lines and wrinkles, and is often used to enhance the look of other procedures such as skin resurfacing and filler injections.
4. Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment which uses safe ultrasound technology to lift and tighten the skin naturally.
This procedure works by stimulating collagen production by delivering focused ultrasound energy to the skin’s foundation layer typically addressed in cosmetic surgery—without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin.
5. Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers is another non-surgical alternative to facelift which can restore youthful fullness to one’s face. It can be used to hide scars, remove fine lines, reduce wrinkles and enhance shallow contours.
Dermal fillers is a good alternative because it can offer many benefits of a facelift, but without the downtime associated with such a surgery.
What is the cost of Facelift in Singapore?
If you are looking for a facelift in Singapore, the price range would be between $6000 to $15000, depending on the extent of your facelift.
If you are undergoing non-surgical alternatives to facelift, the cost would be anywhere from $1200 and up, depending on the procedure that you are undertaking.
Reviews of patients who have undergone Facelift in Singapore
Here is one patient sharing her experience of her facelift procedure that was performed in Singapore:
For the past few years I struggled with sagging skin around my cheeks and neck. This cause me to be not feel confident about myself everytime i go out. This is a problem as I have a client facing role (and still plan on continuing work), and I look much older than my age. I decided to go consult and underwent a facelift. I took 2 weeks of leave to undergo this procedure as I didn’t want anyone to see me in the recovery stage. Recovery was fine and I didn’t experience any complications out of the ordinary. I’m extremely satisfied with the procedure.
You can find here for more reviews of facelift in Singapore.
How to find the best Facelift doctors in Singapore
Your doctor should be registered with the Singapore Medical Council and licensed by the Ministry of Health.
4D Facelifting Package (Silhouette Threadlifting + Liquid Facelift + Fillers) $7,000
Vaser LipoSelection Package $4000
Facial V-shaping (PDO Threads + Botox + Fillers) $2,500
Eye Bag Removal + Skin Rejuvenation Laser $3488
Double Eyelid Surgery + Skin Rejuvenation Laser $3188
Korean-style Breast Augmentation from $9888
Customised Plastic Surgery Package
Botox + Filler (Jaw & Chin & Nose) $2000
Q-switch + HF Laser x 10 package $3000
Fractional CO2 Laser x 5 package $2450 x 10 package $3900
For the full list of best doctors performing facelift in Singapore, please visit here.
In summary, here is the complete guide to all you need to know about facelift in Singapore.
It is important to feel comfortable with your doctor, so do schedule a consultation with the doctor to see if the methodology of their surgical techniques matches what you have in mind.
Be very clear and communicate up front the result that you want.
Do view pictures of the before and after of the doctor’s patients during your facelift consultation, and discuss the type of result that would be suitable for you.
Here’s to a younger looking and more confident you!
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