Suitable Candidate for Ponytail Facelift
Suitable candidates for ponytail facelift should meet the following criteria:
- Physical Health: Be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that could interfere with the wound healing process.
- Emotional Well-being: Have realistic expectations and a positive mindset regarding the outcomes of mastopexy surgery. As of 1st of July 2023, patients are required to have a psychological evaluation to ensure they are suitable to proceed with surgery.
- Stable Weight: It is recommended to be near your target weight before undergoing the procedure, as weight fluctuations can affect the cosmetic results.
- Non-smoker: Smoking or vaping dramatically interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of complications. Therefore, candidates are required to cease smoking for a minimum 6 weeks before and after the surgery
Understanding the Ponytail Facelift
The Ponytail Facelift subtly enhances facial features by mimicking the natural lift that occurs when hair is pulled back into a ponytail. It improves facial contours by repositioning underlying tissues, leading to enhanced cheekbones, a defined jawline, and lifted brows.
What Areas Does a Ponytail Facelift Treat?
The Ponytail Facelift is a comprehensive procedure that addresses several key areas of the face:
- Forehead and Brows: Elevate the brow position, improve eyebrow shape and and smooth forehead wrinkles.
- Eyelids: Define the eyelid crease and remove excess skin from the upper eyelids for more open appearance.
- Midface and Cheeks: Enhances cheek volume by lifting deep fascial layers and fat transfer.
- Jawline and Jowls: Tightens the lower face to define the jawline and reduce jowls.
Benefits of the Ponytail Facelift?
A ponytail facelift is most beneficial for individuals in their 30s to early 40s who desire a refreshed look without undergoing a full facelift. At this age, the skin still retains good elasticity to achieve optimal results from a less invasive procedure.
Benefits of the Ponytail Facelift:
- Minimal Scarring: Utilizes small incisions hidden within the hairline, resulting in virtually undetectable scars.
- Quick Recovery: Offers a shorter downtime compared to traditional facelifts, allowing patients to return to their daily activities sooner.
- Versatility: Can address multiple facial areas in one procedure, including the cheeks, jawline, and brow area.
The Ponytail Facelift serves as a preventive approach that can prolong a youthful appearance and potentially delay the need for more extensive surgery.
Is a Ponytail Facelift Scarless?
While no surgical procedure is entirely scarless, the Ponytail Facelift minimizing visible scarring by strategic incision placement within the hairline and natural contours of the upper aspect of the ear. Once these scars mature, they will blend and become very difficult to detect, in contrast to traditional facelifts which have longer incisions which are more visible. Due to the limited scarring and focused dissection of the of the ponytail facelift, patients typically experience quicker recovery and return to normal day to day activities.
Can PDO Face Threads replace a Ponytail Facelift?
NO, many cosmetic clinics are offering facial threads as an alternative to surgical intervention to correct facial ageing. Even marketing these non-surgical treatments as a ‘ponytail thread lifts’.
It is Dr Turner’s opinion that PDO threads have little value in improving facial aging and are not a substitute for real surgical facelift procedures.
- Threads are short term absorbable suture material that only last 3-6 months. The theory is that threads may produce collagen sufficient to counteract certain areas of facial. However, in real life they rarely have any visible benefit after 6 months and are not without risks and downtime.
- Ponytail facelift surgery in contrast involves small incisions and use of endoscopic instruments to precisely dissect and elevate the underlying SMAS in a vertical direction for long-lasting results.
What Are the Limitations of a Ponytail Facelift?
While the Ponytail Facelift offers a less invasive option for facial enhancement, it does have certain limitations. As the procedure only removes minimal amount skin via the limited incision, it relies on good skin elasticity to achieve the desired results. So for those with moderate amount of skin laxity or who require significant lifting of the deep layers, a formal short scar facelift or vertical restore facelift may be more effective procedure.
Can a Ponytail Facelift Be Combined with Other Procedures?
While the ponytail facelift is a combination of procedures, addressing areas like the brow, eyelids and upper cheek region, it can be combined with other facial procedures for more comprehensive facial enhancements. Dr Turner will regularly add facial fat transfer as a part of the ponytail facelift to augment specific parts of the face like the cheeks and non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve skin texture and tone.
For those who seeking a more comprehensive approach, Dr Turner frequently adds neck liposuction or deep neck lift with a ponytail facelift procedure to enhance the neck and jawline definition.
How Is a Ponytail Facelift Performed?
A ponytail facelift surgery is always performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. Depending on the complexity of the procedure it may take 2 to 3 hours, and patients can be discharged home the same day.
The procedure begins with careful marking of incision within the forehead hairline, around the temporal sideburn and the ear contours. Dr Turner will mark areas of facial volume that needs to be enhanced with fat transfer and important anatomical landmarks such as the frontal nerve. Next Dr Turner will infiltrate local anaesthetic is the areas to be dissected to minimize bleeding and discomfort after the procedure is completed.
Once the incisions are made, Dr. Turner will elevate the skin and subcutaneous tissue to expose the underlying SMAS layer in the lateral aspect of the face. With the assistance of a lighted retractor or an endoscope the dissection is continued so the underlying SMAS can be exposed fully and lifted in a vertical direction to correct midface and jowl laxity.
Next, Dr Turner will make 3 to 4 small incisions in the frontal hairline to enable elevation of the brow and temporal area to reshape and lift the eyebrows. Once the brow has been corrected, the upper eyelid blepharoplasty will be completed. An incision is placed in the upper eyelid crease and small amount of skin and underlying orbicularis muscle is trimmed.
Any excess fat deposits in the neck can be corrected by liposuction, and/or a deep anterior neck lift can be performed via a small incision under the chin. Lastly, Dr Turner will perform fat transfer to enhance volume in areas like the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes.
Recovery After Ponytail Facelift
Recovery from a ponytail facelift is generally quicker than traditional facelifts. Patients may experience mild swelling and bruising for the first week. Most can return to daily activities within a week, but strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks. Dr Turner will provide personalized aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing.
Dr. Turner offers personalized post-operative care, emphasizing the importance of following instructions to manage discomfort, minimize swelling, and ensure smooth recovery. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting during the early stages. Following all post-operative care, including protecting the skin from sun exposure, is vital to prevent complications and achieve lasting results.
Risks and Complications of Ponytail Facelift
Like any surgical procedure, a ponytail facelift carries certain risks and potential complications. It is important for patients to be fully aware of these before deciding to undergo surgery. Dr. Turner will discuss them in detail during your consultation, ensuring you have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the potential outcomes.
Common risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, and temporary numbness or swelling, which typically subside during recovery. Less common but possible complications involve nerve damage, which could affect facial sensation or movement, and reactions to anaesthesia. Rarely, patients may experience hair loss at incision sites, skin discoloration, or delayed wound healing, leading to more noticeable scarring. Adhering to post-operative care instructions is essential for minimizing complications and ensuring a smooth recovery.
See our detailed guide on risks and complications after facelift surgery
Your Consultation with Dr. Turner
Dr Turner personally conducts a minimum of two consultations (no patient representative) before surgery and gives you the time to answer all your questions and alleviates any concerns to make sure that surgery is the right answer for you.
Your facelift journey starts with a personalised consultation with Dr Turner at his Sydney clinic. During your consultation, Dr. Turner will assess your facial structure, discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations, review the surgical options available, and explain the potential benefits of a deep plane facelift. Dr. Turner ensures that each patient is fully informed and comfortable with their decision, answering any questions you may have about the procedure, recovery, or potential outcomes. Preoperative photos will also be taken to assist in planning and documentation.
