Face-lifting: an overview

Numerous adaptations of face-lift techniques have been devised, and each surgical approach has its own risks and benefits, as well as proponents and detractors. All of the conventionally accepted techniques achieve removal of redundant skin. However, its the variations in approach to the deeper soft tissue structures that separate the many face-lifting procedures. A skin only face-lift was the earliest form of surgical rhytidectomy, but failed to achieve significant long-term benefit. Cosmetic surgeons of various backgrounds thus sought to achieve a more durable benefit from the surgery. While certain techniques have been classically ascribed to a particular surgeon, innovation does not occur in a vacuum and many surgeons are responsible for our current state of knowledge with regards to facial rhytidectomy surgery.