A facelift surgery can create a firmer, more tightened facial surface. It can also reduce excess skin, marionette lines and nasolabial folds.
Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure meaning you can generally leave the hospital on the day of your surgery. It is vital to remember that swelling and bruising are common side affects post surgery and recovery from facelift surgery generally takes up to 12 weeks.
What is a Face Lift?
Face lift surgery, also known as Rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgery procedure that generally reduces loose skin. It can be performed on both men and women of all ages. However, Dr Doyle generally recommends Facelift surgery to patients in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. A lower face lift helps to reduce the excess skin jowls and tighten the mid-face region. For this reason, it is often referred to as a jowl lift or a mid facelift.
Located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle is a senior facial surgeon, with over 30 years’ experience. He uses modern surgical techniques and his area of expertise is a combination of facelift and neck lift surgery.
Facial Rejuvenation
What Dr Mark Doyle Believes
“Facelift surgery is generally preferred by my patients when the results show a subtle lift and firmer appearance.” – Dr Mark Doyle.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle offers face lift surgery to all patients on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, QLD.
Different Types of Facelift
Face lifts come in many variations, with the most common being a full face lift and neck lift, using the SMAS face lift and deep plane facelift technique. A face lift procedure also varies in extensiveness, depending on your preferred outcome.
Mini Face Lift
Mini face lift is the least extensive face lifting procedure, when compared to the full facelift and is recommended for those under 40 years of age. A mini facelift is less invasive than a full facelift. When performed alone, even a mini face lift cannot address concerns on the upper face, mid face or neck. If you’re concerned about the appearance of these areas, you may wish to consider full facelift surgery or neck lift surgery.
Mini Facelift vs Midface Lift
Mini facelifts and mid face lifts can at times be confused with one another. It is important to note that they are two different procedures that serve different purposes:
- A mini face lift procedure may assist to address concerns in the lower half of your face, such as loose skin in the lower face.
- A midface lift, on the other hand, is performed to target the middle half of your face. This includes concerns such as loose skin around the cheek area. Dr Doyle does not perform a mid-facial lift alone, but rather as part of a full facelift procedure.
Full Face Lift
Face lift for loose jowls is the standard face tightening procedure that uses the SMAS technique. This may be recommended as a combination neck and lower face lift. A full facelift addresses both the skin and the underlying tissue (using an ‘S Lift’ technique). This tends to have a more substantial tightening effect. The incisions for this procedure generally extends behind the ear and therefore, this procedure can assist with lifting the mid face region too.
SMAS Lift
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, is a fibrous network that is made up of the platysma muscle, the parotid fascia, and the fibromuscular layer on the cheek. The layer is responsible for facial expressions.The SMAS face-lifting technique is a way to suspend the soft tissues of your face. This is done by tightening the skin. SMAS technique involves making small incisions around the ear, which are then used to tighten the skin and underlying tissue. The surgery can reduce loose skin on the face.
Deep Plane Facelift
This procedure uses a similar technique to a full facelift, yet extends to the deeper layer of tissues. The recovery period is generally much longer than a SMAS facelift and the results are comparably quite similar. For this reason, Dr Mark Doyle does not perform this facelift variation.
Dr Mark Doyle’s Preferred Type of Facelift
Of all the options, Dr Doyle prefers the SMAS technique, which involves a higher level of facial lift and heals faster, when compared to other facelift techniques. With the combination of modern facial surgical techniques and 30+ years of surgical experience, Dr Doyle specialises in facial surgery.
Various procedures can be combined with facelift surgery. This includes liposuction, typically that of the neck and chin area, facial fat transfer and eyelid or brow surgery.
Dr Mark Doyle commonly combines the following procedures in his facial surgery.
Face Lift Procedure
A cosmetic face lift procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 3 to 5 hours. Dr Doyle performs all of his surgery at John Flynn Private Hospital, located in Tugun on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
Facelift Incisions
During your surgical face lift treatment, Dr Doyle will make incisions both in front of and behind the ear, extending into the hairline. Excess skin is then removed and the deeper tissues are lifted. The facial skin is then repositioned and the incisions are closed.
Mini Facelift Incisions
A mini facelift procedure is sometimes called a short scar facelift, because of the technique used. The mini facelift incision can be smaller in size, when compared to a full facelift. It involves making small incisions in front of (and not behind) the ear. Therefore, this can result in lessor scarring, when compared with a full facelift.
Recovery
A facelift procedure generally requires up to 12 weeks to recover. Most face lift patients go home on the same day of surgery, although some patients may stay overnight in hospital.
For the first days post surgery, your face may have intermittent swelling and bruising. This will generally dissipate within 3-6 weeks. For optimal surgery recovery, you are required to keep activities to a minimum and follow your post-surgery care instructions for at least 6 -12 weeks post surgery.
Right Candidate
A surgical face lift is not suitable for everyone. As a general rule, the right candidate is healthy and a non-smoker (or willing to give up smoking). They must also have a positive outlook and realistic expectations when it comes to cosmetic surgery.
A facelift may be suitable for you if you have:
- loose skin
- deep creases that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth
- excess skin or excess fat deposits under the chin and jaw
- fat loss in the central face
If your goal is to reduce loose facial skin, a facelift may be suitable for you. Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle will discuss your specific concerns and requirements during your initial consultation.
Face Lift Before and After
This gallery depicts Dr Doyle’s facelift before and after photos. Looking at before and after face lift pictures is recommended when researching your procedure. You will be able to determine your surgeon’s skill, face lift scar placement, and overall results.
*Remember, everyone is different and each individual will have unique and varying results.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who specialises in facelift surgery on the Gold Coast, Queensland. He also offers face lift surgery to Brisbane, Queensland and Byron Bay, Northern NSW patients, who travel to see him.
Before and After Photos by Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle
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See all face and neck lift photos here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A face lift tightens loose skin and excess tissue on the face. The face lift is usually performed on the mid-face, lower face, or both.
When performed, this procedure can create a more tighter facial surface, it may also address loose skin, fine lines and excess facial tissue. This surgery procedure also firms your facial skin texture.
A mini face lift is a minimised version of the full facelift. Mini face lift surgery targets smaller amounts of excess skin in the lower face area. This procedure is sometimes termed a ‘mini lower face lift’. The surgery goal of this “mini” S lift surgery is to tighten excess skin. Mini facelifts can firm skin texture and make your jawline more tighter.
Mini face lifts are generally performed on patients under the age of 50. Therefore, a mini facelift is generally best suited to those in their late 30’s and 40’s. Due to their anatomy, patients who are younger may recover faster. Dr Doyle will always assess if you are recommended for a mini face lift or a full facelift, depending on your skin. If there is no evident loose skin, non-surgical treatments may be recommended instead. If your face has excess skin and excess tissue, you may be recommended for a full facelift.
A mini procedure requires a less invasive surgical approach, when it comes to the facial tissue, when compared to a full facelift. Within a mini facelift, the surgical incision line remains in front of the ear. It does not go behind the ear. Also, a mini facelift only targets the skin and not muscles or tissue. Comparatively, a full lift targets the skin, facial muscles and underlying tissues.
An ‘S lift’ procedure refers to a ‘segmental face lift.’ This simply means that the surgical technique lifts the lower portion of the face only. ‘S lift’ surgery requires less time in theatre when compared to a full facelift. Therefore, for this reason, the ‘S lift’ facelift may be more suitable for younger patients.
A deep plane lift is a type of face lift that uses a special technique to lift deeper layers of the face. According to Dr Mark Doyle, a deep plane facelift and SMAS lift achieve very similar results. With a SMAS facelift, you may have a faster recovery period.
Results from a face lift can last into the future. This, however, may depend on your individual characteristics and factors, such as, how well you care for your skin.
Yes, all facelift procedures will result in scarring. A face lift incision starts in the hairline, follows the biological curves in front of the ear and continues behind the ear.
The mini face lift scar is placed in front of the ear in a slight ‘S’ shape. It follows the biological curve of the ear.
Scars will generally take 6 – 12 months to heal to their final appearance.
As with any surgery, face lift surgery carries risks and complications.
These risks may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Blood clots
- Delayed wound healing
- Anaesthesia risks
You can read a detailed list of face lift surgery risks and complications here. Facelift risks will be explained to you during your initial consultation. However, you should ensure you understand the risks of general surgery before your consultation.
Face lift is performed under general anaesthesia, therefore, you should not feel any pain during your surgery.
Most face lift patients report only mild discomfort during the first few days post-surgery. This can be controlled with careful post-surgery care instructions and pain relief medication.
Next Steps
The first step on your face lift journey is to book a consultation. Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle will assess your suitability for surgery and answer any questions you may have.
To book a consultation, please call us on 1300558888 or fill out our online enquiry form.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience. He specialises in face lift surgery in Gold Coast and Brisbane, and also offers a range of body and breast procedures.
Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Doctor and surgeon. He has completed all required training to be a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and is driven by an committed to providing excellent standards of care.
NEXT STEPS
Do Your Research
- Read the Website and Blogs relevant to your procedure
- Read our Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn about the Risks and Complications of Surgery
- Download our Plastic Surgery Guides
- Browse Dr Doyle’s YouTube Channel
What to Bring to Your Plastic Surgeon Consultation
- Bring a friend or relative for support and discussion regarding your choices
- Take notes and read all provided information thoroughly
- Read about what to expect in your Initial Surgery Consultation
Book Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
- Get a Referral from your GP or specialist – this is required to book a consultation with Dr. Doyle.
- Email us or call on 07 5598 0988 to arrange your consultation appointment.
- Pay your $300 Consultation Fee in advance to secure your consultation.
Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.
Send an enquiry form today or phone 07 5598 0988 during Clinic Hours.
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*DISCLAIMER: All information on Dr Mark Doyle website is general and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are stock images used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
Dr. Mark Doyle AHPRA Registration: Dr Mark Doyle MED0001375519 Specialist Plastic Surgery – MBBS FRACS FRCS
