Facial Rejuvenation Procedures by Anthony MacQuillan
Our face is perhaps our most defining feature and is intimately bound to not only how we view ourselves but how others view us.
There are certain visual cues that we associate with youth and others that we associate with signs of ageing. In youth, a sharply defined angle between the neck and jaw is a prominent feature, with a sense of facial fullness over the cheekbones and a smooth transition between the cheek and upper lip. The lower eyelids blend into the upper cheek and the upper lids display a clear strip of skin visible above the lashes with the area below the eyebrows appearing subtly full.
As we age the soft tissues of the face alter through the combined effects of gravity, sun damage and changes in hormone levels. Underneath the soft tissues, the skeleton of the face also undergoes modification with bony resorption leading to loss of volume and decreased support for the overlying soft tissues.
This ageing process blunts the demarcation point between the jawline and the neck, (at worst resulting in a continuous band (or bands) of skin running from the undersurface of the chin and jaw directly to the collar bones) and disrupts the clean shape of the jawline (resulting in characteristic sagging seen with jowls). The cheeks start to develop a hollowed appearance and a line of demarcation appears between the cheek and upper lip known as the nasolabial fold. As volume is lost around the cheek bones the lower lid appears distinct from the cheek itself and can appear to become puffy. In the upper lid excess skin can cause a hooded appearance and the zone between the eyebrow and upper lid tends to lose volume and hollow.
Each of these features is due to specific changes in the anatomy of the face. Proper treatment is dependent on an understanding and knowledge of these changes and an approach that restores support and volume to the muscles, ligaments and skin where these have been lost.
Like most problems in life, a single approach to correct what are often multiple anatomic changes will not work – one size fits all is never going to be the answer in something as individualised as facial ageing. Every person has their own specific concerns relating to how their face has aged and addressing these concerns with a single treatment or procedure will not work, certainly not for all patients.
An example of this is the perception that a Neck Lift can only be performed as part of a Facelift. For many people the idea of having to go through a Facelift to change the shape of their neck is too great an ordeal but if as a surgeon you understand the nature of the problem and the underlying anatomy the neck can easily be treated in isolation with fantastic results.
As a surgeon however, it is only through knowledge, understanding (and most importantly listening to your patients concerns and needs) that you can deliver outcomes for your patients that will meet their goals and this means choosing the correct procedure(s) for that particular patient’s needs.
Anthony uses the latest 3D scanning technology to create before and after visuals that give you a realistic view of the results. See his 3D Imaging Videos.
A Facelift by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Anthony MacQuillan can help reverse some of the effects of gravity and the ageing process on your face and neck.
2 to 4 hours
General
1 night
4 to 6 weeks
It can take 3 months for visible improvements to appear and you can enjoy a more youthful, rested appearance.
How Does the Face Age Over Time?
The soft tissue ligaments of the face (structures that connect the skin to the underlying bone of the facial skeleton) stretch as a result of the effects of gravity on the facial fat pockets that they are holding in place.
This contributes to the overall ‘sag’ of the face, causing jowls to appear, deepening of the nasolabial folds (the lines present between the cheek and the upper lip), and the appearance of marionette lines (the lines present between the lower lip and the cheek).
What Does a Facelift Do?
A Facelift improves the appearance of your neck and returns the soft tissues of the cheek closer to their original location by tightening the soft tissue structures underneath the skin. It will not return you to how you appeared when you were 20.
It will, however, make you appear much fresher and less tired (the optimum result for many patients is that friends and colleagues will comment on well or less fatigued you look rather than asking if you have had surgery).
A good analogy is that it turns back the hands of the clock (a rejuvenation effect of roughly 10 years is a good rule of thumb), however, it does not stop them ticking and following surgery, the effects of ageing will again start to take effect.
What are the Benefits of a Facelift?
A Facelift is the cosmetic surgery gold standard for achieving dramatically younger-looking results.
Patients can hope to look up to 10 years younger, with results potentially lasting up to 15 years. However, many factors can influence how long the results last, some of which are out of the patient’s control.
Different Types of Facelift
Deep Plane Facelift
A Deep Plane Facelift is a more invasive Facelift variety. It goes an extra layer deeper compared to the traditional SMAS Facelift.
The Deep Plane Facelift will release key facial ligaments, lift the muscle and reposition the nasolabial folds, jowls and cheek to a higher position.
Mid Facelift
A Mid Facelift is a different sort of procedure from the other forms of Facelift on this page as it works by elevating the whole of the upper cheek soft tissues off of underlying cheek bone and lifting it directly upwards. It can be used to reduce the depth of the nasolabial folds and improve the appearance of the lower eyelids, smoothing the junction between the lid and the cheek.
If there are folds of skin beneath the eyes (known as festoons) these can also be dealt with by performing a Mid Facelift. The procedure is performed by placing an incision directly below the eyelashes of the lower lid providing access to the lift the cheek tissues off the cheek bone.
The tissues are then anchored firmly in a higher position and any redundant skin is removed via the eyelid incision.
Advanced Mini Facelift
An advanced Mini Facelift improves the early signs of ageing, reducing sagging jowls and fine wrinkling.
It works on the upper layers of the face and skin and requires less downtime than a Full Facelift.
Neck Lift
A Neck Lift can be performed as part of a Facelift procedure or on its own (despite many surgeons believing that it can only be done as part of a Facelift).
When undertaken by itself a Neck Lift is performed through 3 small incisions – one under the chin and one behind each ear.
Fat Transfer to Face for Volume Restoration
Facial Fat Grafting is a surgical rejuvenation procedure where Liposuction is performed on a section of your body with excess fatty tissue.
The harvested fat is then processed and purified before it is transferred into areas of the face that require additional volume, improving skin quality and reducing lines & wrinkles.
Chin or Neck Liposuction
Submental Liposuction (also known as Neck Liposuction, Chin Liposuction or “Chin Lipo”) is a facial surgical procedure that can help reduce excess fat under the chin or neck.
This is typically performed to further define the jawline and reduce a double chin.
How is Facelift Surgery Performed?
You’ll come into hospital on the day of your surgery and be admitted to your room. You’ll be seen by Anthony in your room, and he’ll run over the surgical plan with you one final time.
You’ll be reviewed by the consultant anaesthetist who will be putting you to sleep, and given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the anaesthetic. When you’re ready you’ll be taken down to theatres for your operation.
Following the operation, you will wake up with a protective bandage around your head (though your face including eyes, mouth and nose will not be covered) and you may have a drain (a small tube placed beneath the skin to remove any blood collecting there) in either cheek.
The bandage and drains will be removed the following morning after which you will be able to move around. Most patients go home the day following surgery.
Facelift Recovery and Aftercare
For the first week you’ll need to restrict your activities and take things quietly.
It’s essential that you sleep upright (ie several pillows stacked behind you so you are at least 45°) to help reduce swelling. Your face and neck will continue to swell for a day or so after your discharge from hospital, however, if you’re worried that your swelling is rapidly increasing (a sign that you might be developing a haematoma) or are having difficulties coping please contact the team and you’ll be reviewed urgently. It is normal to have some bruising to the lower face and neck and this lasts for two weeks usually.
After one week you will be reviewed by Anthony in outpatients and your stitches will be removed. You will generally start to feel much better by the beginning of the second week and you will be able to resume normal activities but should continue to avoid bending down, heavy lifting or even medium weight objects and not undertake exercise beyond walking.
By the end of the second week, you should be able to return to work (some patients go back to work after the first week but this depends very much on the individual) and can start to build up activity levels.
The main reason for having avoided lifting, bending down and exercise is that the pocket created between the cheek and the underlying soft tissue can fill up with blood if the venous blood pressure rises sufficiently (which is the effect of the aforementioned activities).
By the end of the second week, the pocket should be well healed and you can start to resume normal daily life. You can start to gently massage your cheeks to help reduce swelling and quicken the healing process and you can apply moisturiser to the scars on your face and neck.
A frequent (and important!) question often asked following a Facelift is, when is it safe to wash your hair. The answer to this is that provided you use a mild shampoo, it is safe to wash hair from day one and all patients are given the option of a hair wash in their hospital room before going home.
Follow Aftercare Advice
The most important thing you can do to look after your surgery is to follow your Anthony’s aftercare advice. After your operation, Anthony provides comprehensive guidance and support for your recovery period.
It goes without saying you should also ensure the surgeon carrying out the Facelift surgery is appropriately qualified and experienced; the more skilled the surgeon is, the longer the results should last.
Protect your skin against sun damage
The sun’s UV rays can cause the skin to start ageing prematurely by breaking down the skin’s collagen and elastin, causing hyperpigmentation and wrinkles to form. Therefore, to protect your results, it is recommended you use a good-quality sunscreen every day.
Ideally, the sunscreen should contain zinc and offer at least SPF 30 protection. You should also limit your exposure to the sun, particularly during peak times.
Do not Smoke – Before or After Surgery
All wound healing depends on the blood supply, but smoking causes the small blood vessels known as capillaries to constrict, decreasing the supply of oxygenated blood to skin flaps and wounds.
As a result, healing speed is comprised and scarring can be worse than in non-smokers and, in rare cases, the skin and tissue can die. Studies have found that smokers can also experience more infections, blood clots, increased pain and discomfort and potential issues with the anaesthetic.
The good news is that a study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal found many patients who follow their surgeon’s instructions to stop smoking in advance of their surgery and during the healing period are smoke-free five years after their procedure.
Videos
How much is Facial Rejuvenation Surgery in the UK?
The cost of Facial Rejuvenation surgery varies widely depending on the specific procedure, the complexity of the surgery, your surgeon’s experience and reputation, and where the surgery is performed.
Each patient is different, so prices can fluctuate based on your individual anatomy and factors like anaesthesia fees, hospital stay, and post-operative care.
It’s important to have a thorough consultation with Anthony to receive a detailed estimate that includes all aspects of the surgical and recovery process. Financing options and payment plans may also be available to help manage the cost of surgery.
Please phone Anthony’s team for a rough estimate for your procedure.
FAQs
Find out more about your surgical journey
What will Anthony cover in my Facial Rejuvenation consultation?
During the consult Anthony will ask you about what you feel are the areas that could be improved on with regards to your neck and face. He will ask in detail about this so it’s worth spending some time beforehand writing down the specific things you would like to address.
He will also ask you about your general health, previous medical history and then go into detail about the surgery, how it’s performed and what you can expect from the operation. He will examine your face and eyes and together with you, will formulate the plan best suited to your needs. You will be given plenty of time to ask questions and it is often worth drawing up a list beforehand as quite often people forget on the day.
After the consult, you will receive a detailed letter based on the discussion of the consultation and invited back for a further appointment prior to surgery.
What does a Facelift involve?
Although there are several variations, they all share several common characteristics; they all involve elevating the cheek from the underlying soft tissue to create a pocket allowing access to the stronger fibrous layer beneath.
This can be moulded with stitches to improve the shape of the neck and face. Depending on how much work is needed in the neck, the size of the pocket differs, as does the stitch placement. Often the surgery will include liposuction underneath the chin.
How often will I be seen after my Facial Rejuvenation procedure?
You’ll be seen regularly and on a long term basis. Anthony will see you at one week to remove sutures, then at the two and six weeks post-operatively to ensure you’re healing as planned. You will then have follow-up appointments at three months, six months, and one year. You’ll then be seen yearly for five years.
Will a Facial Rejuvenation procedure make me age more quickly afterwards?
No, you will continue to display the effects of ageing in the face and neck at the same rate as always, only now you will be ageing from the ‘reset’ age of your face.
Depending on the particular areas you wish to address, and on your joint consultation discussions with Anthony, the type of lift that’s best suited to you will be determined. Like a bespoke item of clothing, a Facelift needs to be tailored to the individual.
Can my own Fat be used to improve the contours of my face?
As the face ages in addition to the structural changes seen because of the effects of gravity, the individual cells of the soft tissues alter. The densely packed deep fat layers of the midface (the area between the bottom of the lower eyelid to the beginning of the upper lip) shrink.
These areas of fat directly support the overlying skin and muscles and when they shrink (or atrophy to use the technical term) the upper layers can slip down – leading to the deflated and hollow appearance that can be characteristic of the aging face.
Although hyaluronic acid based fillers can be used to bulk up these areas their effects are not permanent and they can cause problems in the long term with persistent swelling and reduced muscle movement.
An alternative approach is to use fat transferred from elsewhere in the body. This is completely natural and compatible with you’re the soft tissues of your face and will not cause and long-term ill effects.
The procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic and although it can cause bruising usually has a very short period of downtime.
In addition to the midfacial area, fat grafting can also be used to treat hollowness in the temple area and to restore volume in the brow region.
What are the risks and complications of Facial Rejuvenation Surgery?
Reviews
Patient satisfaction is the top priority for Anthony. You can find how patients feel about his work below.
Results Better Than Expected for Face and Neck
Having reached a certain age, I wanted a fresher look – jowls and neck. The consultation including before and after pictures gave me the confidence I was in good safe hands. The operation went well and the care at St Joseph’s Hospital was excellent. I needed 2 weeks downtime at most for slight swelling to ease. Once the stitches were removed from behind the hairline I was thrilled with the results taking 5-10 years off face, and neck (which was an added bonus!) And still Improving 6 weeks after operation. Mr MacQuillan is a highly gifted surgeon and extremely helpful and approachable of concerns. I would highly recommend him.
I am so happy with my face, neck and fat transfer procedure. It has taken years off me and the whole experience was handled so amazingly by Anthony and his assistant Lucy. Thank you
Amazing experience, absolutely thrilled with my results
Underwent lower face and neck lift with fat transfer in September 2018 under the care of Anthony MacQuillan I am thrilled with the results! My face looks natural and not ‘over done’ Anthony MacQuillan is a thoroughly nice young man and an excellent surgeon. He is approachable and friendly whilst remaining professional at all times and I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending him. The care I received from start to finish has been first class. I was given realistic advice and my expectations were fully met. The procedure was relatively painless and the results are well worth a few days of discomfort! The follow up appointments are regular and help is always at the end of the telephone should there be any concerns – thankfully I had none, but I was very reassured knowing that I could have contacted someone had I needed to. I have had a very positive experience with Anthony MacQuillan and will look forward to using his services again.
Delighted – Gloucestershire
After some consideration I recently had an Advanced Mini Face Lift, by Mr MacQuillan, a new service that he is developing, and which I am sure will be a great success. I found him to be very understanding about what I wanted to achieve from the procedure and he explained in great detail how it was performed and what he could achieve from it. The face lift was performed under local anaesthetic and sedation, and I felt no pain and was completely relaxed the whole time and felt well supported by Mr Sasada, the Consultant Anaesthetist who works with him all the nursing staff in the suite. I am very pleased with the results, my jaw line and cheeks are greatly improved and my neck looks a lot better. The result is better than I expected and I am total delighted. The small amount of bruising that I had cleared up very quickly, and the swelling and scars in front of my ears are hardly noticeable, so after the first few days it did not impact on my daily life. – apart from no lifting or bending. Although not suitable for everybody who wants a face – lift, if this is the procedure that Mr MacQuillan thinks is suitable for you, I would certainly recommend it
What an amazing surgeon!
I had been unhappy about my neck for a few years but in the summer of 2020 I became particularly conscious of it so I decided to look into the possibility of surgery.
I decided initially to have a video consultation with Anthony as he has an extensive background in nerve surgery and my biggest concern about neck/face surgery was the possibility of nerve damage. Anthony instantly made me feel comfortable and was able to address all my concerns and answer all my questions.
Following that video call I had a detailed face-to-face consultation and was impressed with the level of discussion we had about the procedure and the balance of risk. I was shown before and after photographs of previous patients as well as a video of the procedure itself.
I had a further consultation prior to surgery and again I felt reassured that I was in safe hands. I had good care at Circle Bath Hospital and Anthony visited me during the evening of my surgery and assured me that the procedure had gone well.
I am now 2 months post surgery and I am healing well. I cannot believe how good the results are and wish that I had had the procedure years ago. I highly recommend Anthony if you are thinking of having similar corrective surgery. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.
Very Positive – Bristol, GB
I very carefully selected my surgeon, Anthony MacQuillan, and the Spire Hospital, Bristol, as the venue for my operation, to coincide with my residence in Bristol, my perceptions of their profiles and professionalism, and the very favourable perception that had been generated. The care received and the expertise of my surgeon has been truly excellent and the aftercare and follow up has been of the highest standard possible. I have been in contact with Mr MacQuillan and with the Spire Hospital, Bristol, for in excess of three years now and my opinion remains constant that the service provided has been outstanding
After some consideration I recently had an Advanced Mini Face Lift, by Mr MacQuillan, a new service that he is developing, and which I am sure will be a great success. I found him to be very understanding about what I wanted to achieve from the procedure and he explained in great detail how it was performed and what he could achieve from it.
The face lift was performed under local anaesthetic and sedation, and I felt no pain and was completely relaxed the whole time and felt well supported by Mr Sasada, the Consultant Anaesthetist who works with him all the nursing staff in the suite.
I am very pleased with the results, my jaw line and cheeks are greatly improved and my neck looks a lot better. The result is better than I expected and I am total delighted.
The small amount of bruising that I had cleared up very quickly, and the swelling and scars in front of my ears are hardly noticeable, so after the first few days it did not impact on my daily life. – apart from no lifting or bending.
Although not suitable for everybody who wants a face – lift, if this is the procedure that Mr MacQuillan thinks is suitable for you, I would certainly recommend it
Why Choose Anthony MacQuillan for Your Facial Procedure
Anthony’s dedication to artistry, precision, and individualised care ensures that your facial procedure will be tailored to meet your unique needs and aesthetic goals. Our clinic combines the latest surgical techniques with a compassionate approach to patient care, ensuring a supportive and reassuring experience from consultation through recovery.
To learn more about how our facial procedures can help you achieve the look you desire, or to schedule a consultation with Anthony, please contact us today.
