A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is one of the most transformative cosmetic procedures, and yes, it can make your face look slimmer—but it’s important to understand how. Here, Lafayette cosmetic surgeons Dr. J. Kevin Duplechain and Dr. William Ishee explain how a facelift can refine your appearance and the factors that influence your results.
How a facelift works
A facelift is not explicitly a fat-removal procedure. Instead, it tightens and repositions underlying tissues and skin to restore more youthful contours. Dr. Duplechain and Dr. Ishee perform the advanced deep plane facelift technique, which uses deeper adjustments to the underlying facial structures (rather than just the skin) to achieve longer-lasting, more natural-looking results.
See more deep plane facelift results »
“Dr. Duplechain does an amazing job! The results are exactly what he told you they would be. He is a perfectionist. I had a lower facelift with neck tightening 3 years ago and lower eye blepharoplasty recently with CO2 laser. I have had several people ask me about my skin and how smooth looks. Highly recommend.”
—5-star Google review
A facelift targets primarily the midface, lower face, and neck
A facelift primarily focuses on the midface, lower face, and neck. Here’s how these areas can contribute to a slimmer look:
Jowls
Over time, the skin and tissues along the jawline lose elasticity and begin to sag, creating jowls that can make the face look wider and less defined. A facelift repositions and tightens this tissue to restore a sharper jawline.
Cheeks
The midface is prone to volume loss and drooping as the natural aging process reduces collagen and elasticity. When the cheeks sag, it can create a heavier appearance in one of the wider areas of the face. A facelift lifts and tones midface tissues, reducing excess skin that can add unwanted fullness to your face.
Nasolabial folds
These are the lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. As the cheeks sag, these folds can become deeper and more pronounced. A facelift can smooth these folds for a softer, more youthful transition between the nose and mouth.
Neck
Loose skin, excess fat, and vertical muscle banding in the neck can contribute to a bulky or undefined lower face—especially from a profile view. A facelift tightens the upper portion of skin and underlying neck muscles to create a smoother and more elegant angle between the jawline and neck. In some cases, neck liposuction or a neck lift may be needed to more fully address concerns in the neck area and help complete your facial rejuvenation goals.
A deep plane facelift achieves stronger rejuvenation effects without creating an overly tight or “windswept” look.
Adding volume may be key to better results
While you may hope for a slimmer facial appearance and defined jawline after a facelift, a successful procedure does not leave the face appearing gaunt or hollow. Healthy, youthful-looking skin is plump and soft, so some volume must remain or be added for ideal results. Additionally, enhancing weaker facial features can help bring balance to the face and create a more streamlined appearance.
Dr. Duplechain and Dr. Ishee often recommend adding one or more of these procedures to achieve ideal facelift results:
- Dermal fillers: Injectable fillers can restore lost volume or add just enough in areas like the cheeks, lips, and jawline to define these features and create pleasing facial proportions. Dermal fillers can also be used to fill in under-eye hollows and other areas to give the skin youthful volume where it’s needed most.
- Facial fat transfer: This procedure uses your own fat to enhance facial volume in areas that appear sunken or hollow, such as the temples, cheeks, or lips. Fat transfer is a natural, long-lasting solution for volume restoration and can be used instead of or in conjunction with dermal fillers.
- Chin and cheek augmentation: Similarly to dermal fillers, chin and cheek implants can enhance these key areas to harmonize your facial features. Implants are placed during the facelift procedure and do not typically require any maintenance post-surgery.
About our Lafayette cosmetic surgeons
The success of your facelift depends on the surgeon you choose for your procedure. Dr. J. Kevin Duplechain and Dr. William Ishee both specialize in deep plane facelifts and a range of complementary facial rejuvenation procedures. Our surgeons are loved by our patients near and far for their warm bedside manner and remarkably natural results.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Duplechain or Dr. Ishee, please call our Lafayette cosmetic surgery center at (337) 456-3282 or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page. Dr. Duplechain and Dr. Ishee are also available for virtual cosmetic surgery consultations to accommodate out-of-town patients!
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