A Facelift is a medical procedure that aims at a visible rejuvenation of the face. During the treatment, which is usually carried out surgically, excess skin skin is removed, thereby smoothing wrinkles and leaving the face taut. While the facelift with the scalpel only reduces the external symptoms of skin aging, therapies with bioidentical hormones, the body’s own stem cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and growth factors treat causes of poor skin quality.
As the age progresses, the muscles atrophy and the elasticity of the fibers of the connective tissue diminishes – the skin on the face and the body loses tension and vitality. Another reason for skin aging is that from about the age of 25 the body’s production of the important skin components collagen and hyaluronic acid is declining. As a result, the eyebrow arch and the cheeks are descending. Often the jaw angle gets lost too and replaced by a double chin, which frequently is burdensome for the affected person.
Surgical Facelift Techniques
The classical facelift is performed surgically, frequently under general anesthesia. The procedure differs according to the surgeon. In some cases extensive incisions may be necessary. Excess skin in the facial and chin area is removed with the scalpel and the underlying tissue (SMAS lift) is surgically stripped. If possible, incisions are placed in locations that lie outside the visible area of the face, so the resulting scars are mostly hidden.
In case of the mini facelift only a small incision is carried from the side of the hairy part of the temporal region via the area in front of the ear up to the neck. The underlying tissue is raised, trimmed and fixed. Excess tissue portions are removed. Thereby the facial skin gets more tension and a lifted appearance. The procedure is carried out in local anesthesia or in twilight sleep.
Skin Rejuvenation with Bioidentical Hormones
Hormones are important messenger substances that control numerous processes in the human body. They influence not only performance, sexual function, and sleep-wake rhythm – hormonal imbalances also manifest themselves in the face: A lack of adrenal hormones makes the face look haggard and causes hollow cheeks. The absence of pregnenolone leads to sagging skin, especially in the mouth area. Causes of disturbed hormone production can be age- and stress-related overload and poor nutrition.
In the course of the therapy, an extensive assessment is carried out, which includes, among other things, the collection of blood values, dietary habits, and an analysis of the hormone levels. On the basis of these values, an individual treatment program is then created which, with the help of bioidentical hormones, restores the hormonal balance. Bioidentical hormones resemble our human hormones in their structure. Already after a short time an externally visible rejuvenation occurs.
Skin Rejuvenation with Stem Cells and Autologous Fat
Stem cells are the precursors of all body cells and play an important role in the life-long renewal of the tissue. In addition, stem cells have the potential to stimulate localized stem cells in the skin and the subcutaneous tissue for regeneration, whereby the skin quality can be visibly improved. With adipose tissue, everybody has his/her own large “storehouse” of stem cells and other regenerative cells.
In facial rejuvenation with the body’s own (autologous) stem cells, first a small amount of body fat is harvested by means of fine microcannulas. The stem cells separated therefrom are then injected into the desired skin area, where the regenerative effect can take effect. In certain cases, the injection of autologous fat may also make sense. The “stem cell facelift” is a particularly gentle procedure that is carried out on an outpatient basis in local anesthesia. Compared to a surgical facelift, follow-up care is very simple.
Facial Regeneration with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Growth Factors
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and growth factors are a cost-effective alternative to stem cell treatments that can be used to imitate the result of facial rejuvenation with stem cells to a certain extent. In the treatment with PRP, also known as vampire lifting, blood platelets are isolated from the patient’s own blood and injected into the skin area to be rejuvenated. Growth factors are introduced into the skin by means of fine micro needles.
Both the treatment with PRP and growth factors can be combined with a stem cell treatment for skin rejuvenation to enhance the effect of facial rejuvenation.