Our face is how the world perceives us. Naturally, as the years march on, the face is also one of the places that most clearly show signs of aging. Wrinkles, loose skin, jowls – all are hallmarks of the passage of time.
It’s no wonder, then, that turning back the clock has been a leading concern for beauticians and surgeons for hundreds of years.
From Cleopatra’s honey and milk baths to the modern-day facelift, preserving our youth and beauty is a natural human desire.
Fortunately, the facelift procedure has come a long way since the basic operations of the early 20th century.
Around 1903, surgeons began experimenting with rudimentary facelift procedures, removing excess skin from the face and stretching the remaining skin to provide tightness and smoothness.
This fundamental surgical technique had distinct limitations, including that it didn’t account for the underlying musculature and fat deposits that give the face its contour and character. There was also plenty of scarring after this surgery.
Treating the dramatic injuries of WWI veterans gave surgeons a better grasp of the underlying muscular structure of our faces. They learned how to separate the skin and musculature, and how to reposition skin independently of the muscles that give faces character and contour.
Today, surgeons use their extensive understanding of the facial anatomy to strategically place incisions for minimal scarring, and can manipulate the overlying skin in ways that produce incredibly natural-looking results.
With these techniques, the fatty deposits and underlying musculature of the face remain intact, while the surgeon stretches the skin in ways that eliminate wrinkles, sags, bags, and other age-related concerns.
To discover Dr. Josh Waltzman’s expertise as a facelift surgeon, contact his clinic at (562) 448-6100 or arrange your consultation and begin your journey toward a younger, more confident you.
