My passion in life is helping people look the best that they possibly can, and I may be a little more sensitive than the average person to the results of a less-than-perfect facelift–but we all know when we see one.
Have you ever noticed someone who just looks fabulous? They have likely had a beautifully done facelift–it simply makes a person look wonderfully refreshed. The procedure hasn’t altered their inherent look, and they don’t look pulled or stretched in any way; they just look great!
Here are the top five characteristics of a best-in-class facelift:
1. An ideally sculpted “right-angle” neck.
Think Angelina Jolie. The very best facelifts include a process called “releasing the ligaments”. This process refines the neckline by reattaching the ligaments in a way that has the same effect as smoothing a billowing sail by hoisting the line attached to the mainsail. This is the first thing I look for to determine the quality of a facelift. A perfectly sculpted neckline creates an underlying sense of vibrancy and youth, without looking “done” in any way.
2. A fully contoured earlobe.
One of the easiest ways to spot a facelift is to look at a person’s ears. It is critical to avoid the unfortunate “pixie ear” effect that can come from not directing enough attention to properly placing and contouring the earlobe. As the facial skin is gently shifted to eliminate too much wrinkling, the earlobe must be carefully repositioned for a fully natural look.
3. A well-placed hairline.
Facial plastic surgeons who are true masters of the facelift ensure an even hairline for their patients with natural positioning around the full circumference of their heads. I endorse the “pony-tail” test – patients should be able to wear their hair “up” without sign of any scarring or odd hairline placement.
4. Evenly placed features.
Lesser quality facelifts that focus too much on the superficial layers of the face can lead to the much reported celebrity mishaps where the skin is pulled too tightly at various vectors which can lead to distorted or poorly placed features. A lovely sense of symmetry defines the best facelifts, and individual features look rejuvenated rather than changed.
5. A few wrinkles!
No one looks natural with a face that has been wiped free of defining expression. To put it bluntly, a patient’s face must “match” their body, and a few gracious wrinkles create a beautiful sense of character and coherence.
Feel free to browse through our facelift gallery to view patients who exhibit the above characteristics.
Contact New York Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery
To learn how facelift surgery can help you achieve a more youthful facial appearance, please contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. White.
