Get a brand new face

When our face starts to betray our age, we often resort to non-surgical treatments such as sunscreens, chemical peels, lasers, Botox injections [for dynamic lines that appear when we move our face] and dermal skin fillers [to fill the deep static lines and to provide the lost volume]. However, sometimes these treatments are unable to address facial ageing to the full extent, leaving those who try them displeased with the result. The reason for poor results is advanced ageing. In such patients, surgical anti-ageing is the best option.

The surgical anti-ageing procedures available today are broadly divided into minimal invasive surgical procedures and invasive surgical procedures. Let’s understand both to make an informed decision.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures

The procedures involve making tiny, carefully concealed incisions in the skin to correct facial ageing and to re-suspend the sagging face as well as to promote collagen production. Thus, there are no visible scars on the face, and hence no tell-tale signs of the procedure.

There is also no down-time, no limitation of social life, no bruising or pain. These procedures do not require hospital stay and you can walk out within an hour of the surgery.

Thread Lift

Thread lift uses threads to suspend facial skin. The threads are absorbable as well as of the non-absorbable variety. The absorbable threads dissolve in three months and the non–absorbable threads get covered by collagen tissue. The threads are the same threads that are used in cardiac, intestinal or eye surgeries and are safe. They are USFDA approved for use in facial anti-ageing surgeries.

Ribbon Lift

Ribbon lift uses a slender tape called ribbon to anchor the face and correct the facial skin sag. It re-suspends the soft facial tissue, making your face appear fresh and youthful. The ribbon dissolves completely in three to nine months and provides a strong collagen support to the face. It is made of USFDA approved completely dissolvable biomaterial. It is the most popular anti-ageing procedure among celebrities, both in India and abroad.

Endotine

Endotine device is a small triangular device similar to the ribbon. It is used for brow-lift as well as endoscopic forehead lift. The incisions are about 0.5cm – 1cm size hidden in the scalp. Threads can also be used for brow lift. Endotine is an alternative to the Botox injection as results last for 3 – 5 years. However, unlike in Botox, the procedure does not have to be repeated every six months.

Autologous fat injections

Autologous fat injections help correct age-related loss of facial volume. It involves taking fat from either your tummy, hip, buttocks, love-handles or saddle bag region [lateral and outer thighs] and injecting it in the muscles and soft tissue of the face to restore facial volume.

Invasive surgical procedures

Surgical face and neck lift

In this procedure, facial ageing is corrected by elevating skin flaps, suspending the soft tissue of the face and excising the excess skin that remains after facial rejuvenation. The scar is carefully hidden in the hairline of the temples in case of a face lift and behind the ear in case of a neck lift.

The procedure is done either under general anaesthesia or under local anaesthesia with sedation. It requires staying in the hospital for at least two days. Swelling and bruising can occur, which subside in a week.

Face lift is the treatment of choice after a certain age when the sag of the face and neck is excess. The downtime, or time spent in the hospital, is the only disadvantage of this procedure.

Baggy eyelid surgery

This surgery is done when the eyes look tired, baggy and have excess eyelid skin that gives a hooded appearance. Here, skin incisions to remove the eye bags are carefully hidden in eyelid folds in upper eyelid and in the eyelash area in case of lower eyelid.

The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so no hospital stay is required. The downtime required is about seven days as the eyelids swell after surgery. The swelling gradually subsides. After baggy eyelid surgery, not just the eyes, but even your face appears rejuvenated as you don’t have the tired look on the face. The surgery is safe and there is no damage to the eyes.

Cheek and chin augmentation

These procedures are done to replace the lost facial volume as a result of ageing and loss of bone density. It involves using silicone or PTFE implants, which are placed via hidden incisions inside the mouth. It takes 3 – 5 days to recover. There is no fear of the implant shifting position as it is firmly anchored with sutures or with screws.

A combination of these procedures along with Botox for forehead lines and lasers to resurface the facial skin can totally rejuvenate you. You can look young for long. Isn’t it wonderful?