Facial aging is a gradual, highly individualized process influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and the passage of time. As the skin loses its elasticity and underlying structures shift, many find that non-surgical treatments alone are no longer enough to restore the definition and balance they once recognized in the mirror.
At DeLozier Plastic Surgery, facial rejuvenation is approached with precision, restraint, and a deep respect for natural anatomy. A face lift in Brentwood, TN, is not about changing someone’s features, but about restoring harmony, structure, and confidence through thoughtful surgical artistry.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore what modern face lift surgery truly entails, who it may benefit, and what patients can expect when considering a face lift performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Table of Contents
- Why and How Faces Age
- How Can an Aging Face Be Treated?
- What Is a Face Lift?
- What Can a Face Lift Treat?
- What Are the Benefits of a Face Lift?
- What to Expect From a Face Lift Procedure
Understanding Facial Aging: Why the Face Changes Over Time
Facial aging is a gradual yet complex process that affects everyone differently. Over time, changes occur in the skin in the deeper soft tissues (such as fat and muscle), and even in the underlying facial bone structure.
Together, these shifts contribute to the visible signs of aging, including deepening nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and overall skin laxity.
While aging is universal, the beginning point and pacing of these changes both vary significantly from person to person. Genetics plays an important role, though lifestyle factors can also influence how aging skin manifests over time.
How the Face Changes With Age
A youthful face is defined by smooth contours and a seamless transition between facial features like the eyes, cheeks, jawline, and neck. A natural fat layer beneath the skin softens the appearance of underlying bone, while firm skin maintains an even texture and tone.
Youthful faces typically show fullness in the upper cheeks, a gentle narrowing toward the mouth, and minimal lines or discolouration.
As we age, these facial structures gradually shift. Soft tissues of the midface, particularly in the upper cheeks, begin to descend. While some volume loss occurs with age, the loosening and descent of these tissues contribute most to the visible signs of aging.
This downward movement leads to several characteristic changes:
- The bones below the eyes and upper cheeks become flatter, creating more uneven contours and harder transitions between facial features.
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines deepen due to the decrease in volume in the upper and lower cheeks. The shape of the face becomes more square-like as the lower cheeks widen.
- The soft tissue of the lower face droops below the border of the jawbone.
- Weakening of facial muscles and mild fat loss create excess and sagging skin in the cheeks and neck.
How Can an Aging Face Be Treated?
Facial rejuvenation is most effective when it addresses both surface-level and deeper structural shifts. Expert surgeons can restore balance and a more youthful facial structure, often through a combination of treatments tailored to each person’s specific needs.
Our team may recommend non-surgical treatments for mild signs of aging in the face. These include:
- Injectables: Wrinkle relaxers (like Botox) and dermal fillers can address early signs of aging. Wrinkle relaxers help to ease deep dynamic lines caused by expressions, while fillers can restore lost volume in the cheeks, chin, and lips.
- Microneedling: Modern microneedling can effectively treat the early signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, and texture changes, by stimulating the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin.
- Non-ablative laser: The Moxi laser can treat early signs of aging, like pigmentation, uneven texture, and sun damage, by enhancing collagen production and cellular turnover with minimal downtime.
As aging processes, non-surgical treatment may not provide enough correction. In these cases, surgical procedures like a face lift in Brentwood may offer more comprehensive and lasting solutions.
What Is a Face Lift?
A face lift, also known as a “rhytidectomy,” is a surgical procedure that lifts and repositions facial tissues to reduce visible signs of aging. A face lift in Brentwood can restore smoother contours by addressing sagging skin, jowls, deep facial folds, and laxity in the neck.
What Can a Face Lift Treat?
A face lift in Brentwood is often considered the gold standard for facial rejuvenation, offering results that extend beyond what non-surgical treatments can achieve.
This treatment is often used to:
- Smooth facial wrinkles, creases, and lines: By repositioning the skin and the underlying tissues, a face lift softens deep creases and lines.
- Eliminate loose skin and address lost volume: The process removes excess skin and redistributes deeper tissues to restore youthful facial contours.
- Create a more youthful neck: A face lift can often incorporate a neck lift to create a smoother and more attractive neck and jawline.
The Face Lift Procedure: What to Expect
As demonstrated by the over 78,000 face lifts performed in 2023 alone, many patients have found that a face lift in Brentwood not only enhances their appearance but also their confidence and quality of life.
Understanding the process, from consultation to surgery, helps you feel informed and prepared at every stage.
Step 1: Your Consultation
Your face lift journey will always begin with a personalized, one-on-one consultation at DeLozier Plastic Surgery. This step lays the foundation for a successful procedure and helps you and your surgeon align on your goals and expectations.
During the consultation, your surgeon will carefully evaluate your facial anatomy, skin quality, medical history, and aesthetic goals. Surgical options will be discussed in detail, along with any complementary non-surgical treatments that may enhance skin health or optimize results.
During the consultation, we always encourage you to ask questions you may have about the procedure, recovery, and long-term maintenance. Having an open, honest conversation with you about your procedure means you feel comfortable moving forward.
Step 2: Pre-Surgery Preparation
Once you’ve decided to move forward with your face lift in Brentwood, the next step is to prepare for your scheduled surgery date. Proper preparation helps support a smooth procedure and a comfortable recovery.
- Ensure you have arranged for transportation and post-surgery care. You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure and stay with you for at least 24 hours post-operation.
- Stop taking certain medications or supplements. In the weeks leading up to your face lift, we recommend you stop taking medications and supplements that increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with the healing process.
- Quit smoking. For at least 4 weeks before and after your surgery, you must quit smoking. Smoking can impair blood flow, delay healing, and increase the risk of complications.
- Stock up on easy-to-prepare meals. Before your surgery, prepare your recovery space. This includes filling your fridge and cupboards with food that is easy to prepare and finding a comfortable spot with plenty of pillows to recover in.
Step 3: Your Face Lift Procedure
On the day of your face lift surgery, you’ll arrive at DeLozier Plastic Surgery and will fill out some paperwork. You will be able to ask any last-minute questions before being taken to our on-site operating suite—an AAAA, state-accredited facility.
From there, our team will place you under anesthesia and begin the procedure. Throughout the entire surgery, you stay under the watchful eye of our experienced and attentive anesthesia team, who monitor your heart rate for your physical safety.
To start the procedure, your surgeon will prep and disinfect the treatment area. From there, they carefully make small incisions, gently separating the skin from the muscle and fat underneath. This allows them to remove any excess skin before repositioning it in the appropriate places.
Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon places sutures to close the area(s) of incision and finish the face lift. You get released to a quiet and comfortable recovery area for a short period of monitoring before being sent home.
Your surgeon will provide you with detailed post-care instructions. They will walk you through the recovery process and what to expect during each stage while healing.
Discover a More Refreshed Version of You
A face lift can restore balance, structure, and confidence in a way that feels authentic and enduring. When performed with precision and a deep understanding of facial anatomy, a face lift can create results that appear refreshed rather than altered: subtle, refined, and long-lasting.
At DeLozier Plastic Surgery, we customize every surgical plan to the individual. If you are considering facial rejuvenation and seeking thoughtful, expert care, it’s time to take that first step.
Call our team and schedule a private consultation to learn more about a personalized face lift in Brentwood, TN, and what it can achieve.
