With age, skin loses its elasticity, sags and becomes lined and wrinkled. The fat underneath the skin descends because of gravity into the jowls, neck and the folds between the nose and corners of the mouth, often making people appear older than their years. A facelift in Toronto will restore the rejuvenated, attractive appearance of youth, while maintaining your natural expression.
A facelift repositions and smoothes the facial tissues. Excess fat is removed, muscles are tightened, and the skin on the face and neck is re-draped, leaving scars that are barely noticeable. While positioning of the scars tends to be well-hidden in the natural creases of the facial contours, silicone scar gel can help reduce their appearance. You can read more about silicone scar gel here.
Please note that surgical scars do tan like the rest of the skin when exposed to the sun. However, they don’t fade and can remain permanently darkened. As a result, diligent sunscreen use is particularly important for the first 12-18 months after surgery. We have a variety of non-comedogenic options in the office that we can help select for you depending on your skin type.
Best Age For A Facelift
There's no single "best" age for a facelift, as it depends on individual factors such as skin condition, genetics, and personal goals. Generally, most people consider facelifts between their 40s and 60s, but some may opt for the procedure earlier or later.
If you're healthy and want to tighten sagging tissues in the mid to lower face, a facelift may be right for you.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
The cost of a facelift in Canada can vary significantly depending on several factors, but generaly ranges from about $10,000 to $30,000. In major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, prices tend to be on the higher end due to the cost of living costs.
It's important to note that these prices generally include the surgeon's fee, facility costs, and anesthesia fees. However, additional expenses may be considered, such as prescription medications, recovery supplies, and follow-up appointments. Potential revisions or touch-ups incur extra costs.
Third-party financing companies are available should assistance be required.
Highly Individualized approach
Facelifts in Toronto are very individualized procedures. Dr. Kesarwani will recommend one of several different types of facelifts depending on your facial structure and goals – a “full” facelift where the skin and deeper layers are both lifted and tightened or a “short scar” facelift which involves a shorter incision and tightening of the deeper layers with sutures.
We often combine facelifts with fat grafts. This is to restore the fullness that better resembles a youthful appearance.
The First Step
A personal consultation with Dr. Priya Kesarwani is the first step toward reaching your goals. During the consultation, she will evaluate your face, discuss your wishes and will take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns. A facelift can be done alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures in Toronto such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, facial implants or nose reshaping.
Face Lift Before And After
You’ll have an opportunity to see before and after facelift photos to see some examples of past patients.
Your Facelift Expert
Performed by a facial plastic surgeon with extensive knowledge and training in the facial structures.
Full or short scar facelift
Fat grafts can be used to enhance your results
Natural-looking outcome
Dramatically reverses the effects of aging
Choose a surgeon with experience, who knows what tissues will do, and who has an artist’s knowledge of proportion
How is a Facelift Done? Facelift Scars
There are two types of facelifts that Dr. Kesarwani performs: Short Scar and Full. These techniques largely determine facelift scars. How your facelift is done depends on the type that is most suitable for you.
Short Scar Facelift
The Short Scar Facelift, or S-Lift, is designed to rejuvenate your appearance and combat early signs of aging. This technique is less invasive than traditional for full scar facelifts, resulting in shorter scars (hence the name) and a quicker recovery time.
The Short Scar Facelift primarily targets the lower third of the face, focusing on the jowls and neck. It's an excellent choice for those experiencing early to moderate sagging in these areas but only requires a traditional facelift's comprehensive restructuring.
You'll be administered anesthesia. Small incisions are made along the hairline and around the ear. The specific length and location of the incisions can vary based on your specific needs but are typically much shorter than those used in traditional facelifts.
The skin is lifted, underlying tissues are tightened, and excess skin is removed. The remaining skin is then re-draped for a smoother, firmer contour. The incisions are carefully closed with sutures.
Postoperatively, swelling and bruising are to be expected but are usually less intense compared to a traditional facelift. Typically, patients can return to routine activities within a week, although everyone's healing process varies.
The Short Scar Facelift offers a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance, with less noticeable scarring and a quicker recovery time. However, it's important to remember that the procedure is not as comprehensive as a traditional facelift and may not be suitable for those with severe sagging or drooping skin.
Full Facelift
A Full Facelift, often referred to as a Traditional Facelift, offers more extensive rejuvenation, making it ideal for those with significant sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and prominent jowls.
After general anesthesia is administered, incisions are made. These typically start at the hairline and go around the ear to the lower scalp. These incisions are longer than those of a short scar facelift, making this procedure capable of more dramatic improvements.
Underlying tissues are adjusted, while excess fat and skin are removed. The skin is then repositioned, and excess skin is removed. The incisions are then closed with sutures.
You can expect swelling and bruising post-surgery, which should subside over a couple of weeks. Recovery time for a full facelift is generally longer than a short scar facelift, often requiring two to three weeks before resuming normal activities.
Short Scar vs Full Facelift
The main differences between these two techniques are the extent of correction involved, the scarring and the length of recovery time. While a full facelift provides a more dramatic improvement, a short scar facelift is best suited for those experiencing minor to moderate signs of aging.
Facelift Recovery: How Soon After a Face Lift can I Wear Makeup?
The answer to this question depends on how confident you are in your makeup-applying abilities.
Makeup and Face Lifts
The swelling from face lifts is not aggravated by makeup, as far as we can tell. If possible, use products that don’t block pores, as the last thing you need is to get pimples while you still have swelling.
Where makeup becomes a problem is near the sutures. Makeup is not sterile and can both irritate and infect a wound. If your makeup never gets smeared or ends up where it shouldn’t be, you can apply it five millimetres away from any sutures. Still, it is better to wait until the incisions are completely healed and the sutures have been removed.
Other cosmetic routines can also be damaging. Tweezing any hairs on your face is a bad idea, as it puts pressure on the sutures and can cause more swelling. Dr. Kesarwani allows patients to wash their hair and face pretty normally 24 hours after the drains are removed, usually by the third day after surgery. No matter how minor the routine, be sure to consult with your surgeon about whether it will be safe in those critical recovery days.
Makeup and Swelling
After the sutures are removed and the incisions have closed, usually within 2 weeks apply makeup to your heart’s desire. It can be particularly effective in hiding any remaining post-surgical swelling.
As with any other surgical procedure, a face life will result in swelling that could last a few weeks. The swelling may also compromise capillaries, leading to bruising, especially around the eyes. These blemishes are best covered up using camouflage cosmetics, special products that may be recommended by your cosmetic surgeon.
The most important tool in camouflage cosmetics is concealer. This can hide not only pink blemishes, but also outright bruising. For bruising immediately around the eyes, opt for something a little lighter, like foundation or eye makeup.
Another excellent tool is color correcting makeup. Some swelling may result in a yellowish ting, which fortunately is easily correctable with lavender.
To deal with swelling, especially surrounding a nose implant, you can use the technique of contouring. Contouring requires a highlighter, a color two shades lighter than your foundation, and a shadow, a color two shades darker. Use highlights and shadows to emphasize the angles of your nose, chin, and cheekbones. This will minimize the effects of swelling.
It’s important to remember that all these problems are temporary. Most patients are comfortable wearing makeup, going out, and showing off their new face about two or three weeks after the procedure.
How To Reduce Swelling On Face After Surgery
Reducing facial swelling after surgery is an essential part of the recovery process. There are several effective methods you can use to minimize swelling and promote healing.
One of the most common and effective approaches is applying a cold compress to the affected area. Dr. Kesarwani may recommend that you use a cool compress for 15-20 minutes at a time, every 1-2 hours for the first 24-48 hours after surgery to help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.
Keeping your head elevated, even while sleeping, is another crucial step. Use extra pillows to prop yourself up, as this helps reduce blood flow to the face and minimize swelling. Drink plenty of fresh water since it helps flush out toxins and reduce fluid retention.
It's also advisable to avoid salt and stressful situations, as they can contribute to fluid retention and swelling. Rest is crucial during this time.
Some patients find relief by using arnica gel or taking arnica tablets, which may help reduce swelling and bruising. Similarly, eating fresh pineapple or taking bromelain supplements can be beneficial, as they contain enzymes that may help reduce swelling. However, please let us know before you start taking any supplements so we can make sure that they're safe for you.
It's important to avoid heat sources like hot showers, saunas, and direct sunlight, as these can increase swelling. Compression garments can also help if Dr. Kesarwani recommends them for you.
Remember that some swelling is normal after facial surgery and can take months to fully subside. If you experience unusually severe swelling, pain, or any unusual symptoms, let us know as soon as possible.
How Long Do Facelifts Last
Facelifts typically last between 10 years or more on average. However, these factors can affect your results:
The individual's skin quality and elasticity
The type of facelift procedure performed
The patient's age at the time of surgery
Lifestyle factors (sun exposure, smoking, diet, etc.)
Skincare routine and maintenance
While a facelift can significantly rejuvenate your facial appearance, it doesn't stop the natural aging process. Some patients may choose to have touch-up procedures or non-surgical treatments in the years following their initial facelift to maintain results.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift Toronto addresses early signs of aging in the mid-face face and jawline, but to a lesser extent than a traditional facelift. It typically involves smaller incisions and focuses on lifting and tightening sagging skin that affects the cheeks, jawline, and even the upper neck to some extent. This procedure is often chosen by men and women in their 40s or 50s who want to refresh their appearance but prefer less downtime and a more subtle result. Because a mini facelift is less invasive, it generally has a quicker recovery time and less scarring.
Why choose dr. PRIYA KESARWANI
Dr. Priya Kesarwani is the facial plastic surgeon at Cosmedical Rejuvenation Clinic. As a board certified Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr. P. Kesarwani has specialized training in addressing diseases, disorders and aesthetic concerns involving the head and neck.
You’ll speak with Dr. Priya Kesarwani directly during your initial consultation. She has a gentle approach and unwavering commitment to achieving the beautiful, natural looking results you want. She takes the time to discuss your goals and assess your situation before providing you with a custom tailored solution. No detail is overlooked. You will appreciate her fastidious and exacting nature — traits that are essential when performing any procedure, particularly those targeting the face!
Dr. P Kesarwani is dedicated to delivering you beautiful results while maintaining excellent patient safety and achieving superior patient satisfaction.