The Skinny
The American Academy of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports over 120,000 facelifts were performed in 2018. Facelift procedures are popular for a reason. We all age, so we all experience loose skin, the formation of natural creases, sagging connective tissues, loss of tone in underlying muscles, and decreased skin elasticity. The slow decline of tight, toned youthful skin is a universal bummer (check out our complete guide to Facial Skin Laxity Concerns). Fortunately, a plastic surgeon can produce natural looking results with a facelift surgery or a non invasive cosmetic procedure. Some candidates may combine their facelift with a brow lift, neck lift, or other cosmetic surgery to further enhance the facelift results.
AEDIT
Before & After Images by Provider
Before & After Images by Provider
Facial Skin Firming & Lifting Solutions
The Specifics
**Who may consider procedures to firm and lift their facial skin?**
The clock turns, gravity pulls, and skin sags. It happens to everyone as the skin's natural structural proteins break down and stop being produced regularly. Elastin and collagen are the best friends of tight, toned skin. Produced by fibroblasts found in the middle skin layer (the dermis), they provide the lattice structure the body builds its tissues around. In addition to this, sun exposure, skin damage, stress, sleep position, and significant weight loss can also speed up and contribute to skin laxity.The Anatomy of Aging Skin
**What can you expect from facial skin firming and lifting procedures?**
Procedures to tighten and tone skin typically involve stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, production of collagen and elastin, and restoring structural integrity. Depending on your unique concern, a surgical or non surgical procedure can be beneficial.**When should you consider a facial skin firming and lifting procedure?**
When it comes to the skin, the effects of aging, gravity, daily use, and damage are cumulative. Therefore, it can be beneficial to pursue a facial tightening procedure in the earlier stages of decreased tone and tightness. Candidates should of course be in generally good health, have realistic expectations of the procedure, and be ready for some recovery time.**Why should you consider a facial skin firming and lifting procedure?**
Let’s keep it real. Why pursue a procedure to tighten, tone, and rejuvenate your skin restoring your youthful beauty? Um, why not?**Facelifts for Sagging Facial Skin**
Facelift surgeries — they are a classic for a reason. Both surgical and non-surgical facelift procedures can significantly alter underlying muscle, fat, and skin tissue to literally reverse the hands of time. It’s magic!**Laser Skin Resurfacing for Sagging Facial Skin**
Pew-pew! That’s the sound of lasers dissolving damaged skin and stimulating collagen and elastin production. Ablative is damaging. Fractional is targeted. Non fractional is a free-for-all (meaning more broadly targeted therapy).Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing
Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing
**Non-Surgical Skin Tightening for Sagging Skin**
These minimally invasive procedures stimulate the body’s natural healing and restoration systems to rejuvenate the skin.**Thread Lift for Sagging Facial Skin**
To put it very simply, the insertion of threads (read: sutures) encourages the body to sew your facial skin into a tighter, more toned position.**Microneedling for Facial Skin Laxity**
[Microneedling](https://aedit.com/procedure/microneedling) isn't exactly an audition for a horror movie, but it does involve needles precisely placed within the skin to encourage the body to make more structural skin proteins.The Takeaway
Facial tissue gets a lot of attention, and it should. We all experience decreased skin elasticity, sagging skin, and the tired appearance of our accumulated years. The youthful contours created by tight, toned skin are flattering, forgiving, and fantastic. A plastic surgeon can create significant natural looking results with a classic facelift surgery or any number of less invasive options.
