Face Lift - Are you a good candidate? No one is immune to facial ageing. It is true, some ethnicities tend to age slower, but the descent of facial fat and muscles, as well as the stretching of skin, occurs in everyone. If it bothers you, you should have something done. If you look at your face and think that you look older than you feel, this may actually make you feel older somewhat like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Good candidates include those with the following. Jowling or fat accumulation along the jaw line. Markedly pronounced fold above the upper lip otherwise known as nasal labial fold. Saggy facial skin. Deep facial wrinkles. Deep circles underneath the eyes. Loss of cheek fat. Loss of youthful look. Corners of mouth have fallen down. The candidates for neck lifting are referred to the neck lift section. It should be mentioned that face lifting does not improve the texture of the skin. This is best managed with chemical peeling or laser skin resurfacing which would be done separately from the face lift. Face Lift - What Do You Want To Change? It is important that you have a clear idea of what you want changed when you go for consultation. The least favourite thing a plastic surgeon wants to hear is: What do you think I need done? Look in a mirror and identify what bothers you. Be specific. It is helpful to break up the face region into six parts. 1) Eye Brow 2) Upper Eyes 3) Lower Eyes 4) Temple Area 5) Cheeks 6) Jaw Line. Evaluate each one of these areas individually as this is what the plastic surgeon does in his exam. A face lift does not address the first 3 problems. If you are concerned about these areas you may be best treated by having a brow lift, upper blepharoplasty, and/or lower blepharoplasty in conjunction with your face lift. Click on these areas to see if you want more information and discuss this during your consultation. Common complaints Temple: Crow's feet, droopy skin Cheeks: Loose/hanging skin, loss of cheek fullness, large naso-labial folds Jaw line: Jowling, loss of jaw line definition. Ideal Facial Shape Temple Smooth without a hollow No wrinkles when not smiling Cheek Full with the most prominent point just under the lateral eye No naso-labial fold when not smiling Smooth when not smiling Jaw Line Border should be clearly visible without jowling Triangular in shape