The Evolution of Facial Rejuvenation

Considering facial rejuvenation? The Madison and Milwaukee area’s Parkins Plastic Surgery team explains that if you are, you’re not the first! Rejuvenating treatments have been a timeless pursuit of humanity in an ongoing effort to maintain a youthful appearance. Strategies often involve combining cosmetic procedures in order to restore facial features to a younger-looking state.

If you look at your facial features in the mirror and notice things that bother you—such as sagging brows, thinner cheeks, or deflated lips—you might decide that it’s time to join countless people from throughout history and pursue some form of facial rejuvenation.

Although many people start by having less invasive procedures, such as injectables, they may ultimately decide that they would prefer surgical procedures that provide longer-lasting and more dramatic results. A facelift, for example, can be a great way to restore a younger looking appearance and give you a confidence boost by elevating sagging tissue and restoring full contours.

While some people worry that it will be obvious to others that they have had a facelift or other type of facial rejuvenation surgery, the results can be subtle and natural in appearance when the procedure is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Facial plastic surgery should be undertaken by qualified and specialty-trained plastic surgeons who have ensured that the patient is aware of the risks, benefits, and realistic outcomes of the procedure. It’s also important for patients to work with a surgeon who understands the science of facial aging.

In this post, we’ll explore the history of these procedures and how the techniques for restoring facial contours have evolved significantly throughout the decades. 

The roots of facial rejuvenation can be traced back to ancient civilizations, when beauty rituals were deeply ingrained in cultural practices. In fact, plastic surgery may be one of the oldest healing treatments in the world. Early strategies to increase the radiance of the skin laid the foundation for the centuries-long exploration of methods to rejuvenate and enhance the face. 

Many modern facial rejuvenation procedures are believed to date back to the early 1900s when the first facelift procedures were performed and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) was starting to be explored. There have been many changes since then. As technology and anesthesia techniques progressed, the quality of facial plastic surgery procedures has also improved. Since then, facelifts and other forms of facial plastic surgery have become more widespread.

The original concept of the facelift involved a simple excision of excess skin from the sides of the face, but the procedure has evolved significantly since then. Simply lifting the skin can make you look younger, but to achieve the most subtle and natural results, you need to go deeper. Modern facelifts usually involve the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) technique, in which the superficial musculature and skin are repositioned. Starting from the 1960s, plastic surgeons began to have a better understanding of how to work with deeper fascial layers and complex musculatures for this procedure. In the past, the procedure would only address the skin, leaving it stretched across untightened muscles, which was what increased the risk of a patient ending up with a windswept, overdone, or “fake” appearance. In 1990, the “deep plane” approach to facelifts—which involves lifting the skin and muscle layer together as one unit—was developed to provide a more natural and longer-lasting result.

Facelifts have not only become more effective, but also less invasive than ever as surgeons have prioritized ways to reduce overall trauma. Today’s facelifts also involve little visible scarring. Techniques for blepharoplasty have also evolved as surgeons now have a better understanding of the anatomy of eyelids, so procedures for correcting aesthetic concerns have become more effective and less invasive than ever. 

There’s no one, single facial rejuvenation technique that will necessarily work best for everyone. The most suitable technique depends on individual anatomy and goals. For example, to optimize results, your plastic surgeon might recommend combining various traditional, modernized, and minimally invasive facelift techniques with an eyelid lift or even non-surgical treatments. Dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers can often amplify the results of facial cosmetic surgery. 

Want more advice on cosmetic treatments for facial rejuvenation? Contact the Milwaukee and Madison area’s Parkins Plastic Surgery for more details. Call (262) 269-1050 or submit a contact form online to request a consultation if you’re interested in a cosmetic procedure.