Ritidoplastia

Surgery

Rhytidoplasty

Aging is a natural, progressive, and irreversible process.

The first signs of aging appear with wrinkles, folds, sagging, and loss of facial tone. Additionally, there is a loss of volume and skin elasticity. This is where surgical facelifts come in, correcting all these facial imperfections that occur over the years.

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What is a

Rhytidoplasty?

Also known as a facelift or rhytidectomy, it is a surgery that removes excess facial skin and reshapes facial angles to achieve a harmonious result. Muscles, skin, and facial fat are repositioned with the goal of achieving a natural outcome.

Through this procedure, expression lines are smoothed by stretching the skin and repositioning the muscles of the face and neck. Additionally, the appropriate angles can be recreated for each individual by repositioning the fat tissue that is lost or absorbed during aging, which represents one of the fundamental pillars of facial structure.

This surgical technique allows for the correction of aging, producing excellent results. Not everything has to be tightened; it can be limited to the areas that need and require it, leading to different types of this procedure.

Types of Rhytidoplasty:

Frontal: This addresses sagging eyebrows and frown lines by lifting the soft tissue and skin of the forehead and eyebrows, giving a more youthful appearance. This is achieved by stretching the forehead tissues and eliminating frown lines. Minimal incision techniques can be used, hidden within the hairline, along with advanced technologies like FaceTite, Accutite, and Morpheus Face in periocular areas (crow's feet, frown lines, and forehead) to naturally tighten and rejuvenate the skin.
Temporal: This procedure stretches the sides of the forehead to lift the outer part of the eyebrow, known as brow lifting or brow pexy. We also offer minimally invasive procedures.
Midface: This focuses on the area beneath the eyes and the cheeks. In addition to removing excess skin, the muscles of the midface are repositioned to create spectacular cheekbones. Stem cells, exosomes, and growth factors are also applied to rejuvenate the skin through the power of youth cells: fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin.
Cervicofacial: This involves the stretching of the neck and face up to the temporal area. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), a thin layer covering all facial and neck muscles, is treated. When this muscular-aponeurotic layer or membrane begins to weaken and thin, it leads to facial aging and sagging skin.

Therefore, if you're interested in any of these procedures, the first step is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

Within a rhytidoplasty, one or more areas can be addressed depending on the patient's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can a rhytidoplasty be performed?

Facelifts are typically performed on patients between the ages of 40 and 70. The loss of fat distribution in the face and neck, muscle atrophy and hypotrophy (thinning of the facial muscles), bone resorption, and genetic factors lead to facial tissue sagging, which can occur at different ages depending on the patient’s aesthetic care, diet, and hereditary conditions.

What is the surgical procedure like?

In addition to removing excess skin from the face, the surgeon uses cutting-edge techniques, always at the forefront of global advancements, to reposition and tighten the facial muscles, providing the best postoperative result with a more natural appearance and nearly imperceptible scars. This also ensures a result that can last for ten to fifteen years, depending on the patient’s diet and care.

An incision is made at the hairline near the temple, just above and in front of the ear, continuing around the earlobe, behind the ear, and into the hairline, extending backwards and downwards. The skin is lifted, the muscles are repositioned and tightened, and the excess skin is removed. After addressing the excess skin, the incision is closed with fine sutures, allowing the surgery to be performed without shaving the scalp at the incision site, especially behind the ear. The scars are discreet, easily hidden by hair or makeup, and offer a rejuvenated appearance with minimal visible scarring.

Additionally, the latest in biotechnology applied to medicine is used, including the application of growth factors, exosomes, and stem cells obtained from the patient’s own fat, for comprehensive skin rejuvenation.

It is essential to attend a consultation with a plastic surgeon, as each patient’s anatomy and aging process are unique. After the consultation, skin-tightening technologies such as FaceTite and Morpheus Face from InMode, K Blue Laser, or Venus Legacy may be recommended for enhanced, pain-free rejuvenation and to address inflammation from the immediate postoperative period.

Are there visible scars with a facelift surgery?

Dr. Alejandro Leal uses a technique for facelift surgery that applies minimal tension when suturing the skin, resulting in perfect healing that ensures the scar becomes almost imperceptible, blending in with natural wrinkles a few months after the surgery.

What to expect during the postoperative period?

In the first few days, you will feel swelling and see bruising, but this will decrease over the next two weeks. Swelling and bruising are completely normal after a facelift. The face and/or neck will appear swollen but painless, which is the body’s natural response to healing from the surgical procedure.
Immediately after leaving the operating room from your facelift surgery, the patient will be asked to wear a specific facial compression garment for the time the doctor prescribes (usually between 2 to 3 weeks).
During the first 7 to 10 days, you should limit your activity to walking and performing very light tasks to support the initial recovery process.
The position of your head is very important, as your face needs to adapt to its new shape. For this reason, it is recommended to sleep on your back during the postoperative period to promote blood circulation and reduce facial swelling.
You may shower the day after surgery with assistance. You can wash your hair with lukewarm water in the shower and gently comb it with your fingers three days after the operation.
You can wash your face gently with upward movements three days after surgery.
Direct sun exposure should be avoided, and sunscreen should be used during the first 3 months post-op, with applications three times a day.
You can wear makeup five days after surgery and use concealer to discreetly cover bruises.
Intense exercise is not recommended until about 6 weeks post-op.
Avoid making exaggerated facial movements or expressions until your doctor advises otherwise.

How long does it take to see the results of the surgery?

Results will be visible about 4 weeks after the surgery but will improve by 12 weeks. However, it may take up to 6 months to see the final results.

If you would like more detailed information or to receive a personalized consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can review your specific case.

State-of-the-art technologies we use at Liposser:

K Blue Laser: The world’s first blue laser, with 3 simultaneous wavelengths, provides comprehensive skin tightening by 50%, muscle definition, and blood vessel sealing, which reduces inflammation and offers significant pain relief, resulting in fewer bruises and a more comfortable postoperative experience.

FACETITE AND MORPHEUS8 FACE: This technology uses fractionated radiofrequency energy for lipolysis and maximum skin tightening of up to 90%, with muscle definition for a sculpted body. It offers painless postoperative recovery, ideal for patients with moderate to severe skin laxity who want to avoid incisions. Recommended for patients aged 35 and older.