Not every patient who comes in asking for a facelift needs a traditional facelift or needs the full spectrum of options that are available in a traditional, full facelift. Often times, a moderate elevation of the sagging fat pads in the cheek, a suspension of the neck tissues, and a conservative skin excision will yield an excellent result. In the age of need for quick recovery and return to function, the “SAFE” Lift was born. Dr. Carpenter has been performing the “SAFE” lift procedure in Cumberland, MD since 2007.
Dr. Robert Carpenter Results
How is Safe Lift Performed?
The “SAFE” Lift is my acronym for “Suture Assisted Facial Elevation.” This technique uses a combination of minimally invasive techniques including liposuction, conservative skin excision, and suspension sutures and can be done under local anesthesia. There is minimal recovery time, and in the right patient, it can yield dramatic results. “SAFE” Lift minimizes the undermining and elevation of the skin that is required in a full traditional facelift, using suspension sutures to lift the facial tissues. These sutures can be passed under the skin into the fat pads of the cheeks or along the surface of the platysma muscle in the lower neck to elevate the facial tissues without having to lift the skin up off of the tissues to suture them directly. This results in a much quicker recovery and less swelling and bruising than a traditional facelift. The suspension sutures are placed through hidden incisions around the ear or in the hairline.
Am I a Good Candidate for a SAFE Lift?
Patients who have good preservation of their facial volume and who have smooth and unwrinkled skin but are still showing signs of aging are excellent candidates for this procedure. Candidates with mild to moderate sagging in the midface can benefit from a SAFE procedure for facial rejuvenation. The procedure can be done in a few hours under local anesthesia with a quick recovery time of 5 to 7 days, making it a great option for those who cannot afford a lot of recovery and downtime. Most patients are returned to full function 2 to 3 days after their procedure. For those with multiple areas of the face affected by aging, “SAFE” Lift can be combined with a brow lift, blepharoplasty or injection of fillers to improve the result of the total facial rejuvenation. For more severe skin laxity, sagging, and folds, patients might benefit more from a traditional facelift. A consultation with Dr. Carpenter is the best way to ensure that patients are good candidates for the procedure or if another technique would be more beneficial.
What Can I Expect from a SAFE Lift?
After a SAFE lift, patients can expect some swelling, redness, and discomfort. For the first day or two of recovery, the head should be kept elevated and any strenuous activity should be avoided. Although some recovery is necessary, it is much shorter than the tradition facelift recovery process. Dr. Carpenter will provide specific post-op instructions to ensure everything is done properly to receive successful results. Once healed, patients can enjoy a rejuvenated face with years taken off their appearance. Although the SAFE lift can give long-lasting results, the aging process cannot be stopped. Future noninvasive rejuvenation treatments can help to maintain a youthful appearance.
