Dr. Bray's Plastic Surgery Blog

Unfortunately, time takes its toll on the aging face, literally changing its shape. When you observe the face of any youthful male or female model, high, full cheek areas are apparent. The idealized face, especially of a young woman, is heart-shaped or roughly triangular.

In contrast, observe the face of the older person. It will be clear that facial fat in the cheek region has traveled to the area above the upper lip and jowl area, or even further to the jaw area—one of the most tell-tale signs of aging.

This movement of fat down the face has a dramatic effect on appearance:

• The eyes look hollowed out and tired.
• The folds that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth deepen.
• Jowls form at the jaw line.
• The facial shape is no longer a youthful triangle, but more of a rectangle.

Cosmetic surgeons know that these changes, although inevitable, can be remedied. Their face lift techniques focus on raising the facial fat that has drooped into the upper lip, cheek and jowl region. The fat can be moved back up to the cheek area where it originated. This affects the face in three key ways:

• Reduces the lines between nose and mouth.
• Rebuilds the full cheek area that is found in youthful faces.
• Raises the fat from the jaw area, eliminating jowls.

When these steps are accomplished, the face’s youthful triangular shape is restored.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of a facelift procedure, please schedule a Los Angeles facelift consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.