Mr Rajan Uppal specializes in short scar facelifts or mini face lifts as well as traditional SMAS facelifts. The aim is to achieve a natural look and avoid a pulled appearance often called the ‘operated-on’ look.

There are a number of techniques used to perform a facelift but all involves a procedure to tighten the muscles and skin around your face and neck.

With Mr Uppal’s pioneering mini face lift surgery, the scar from the face lift is hidden around the ears. It runs in front of the ear for 1 cm above and below the tragus or middle of the ear. The scar runs inside the ear and then extends behind the ear and earlobe. The skin, fat and muscle are separated, lifted and then re-draped to give a more youthful-appearance. Often the fat and muscle are fixed in place to prevent further sagging in the years that follow. A face lift procedure last about 10 years depending on skin type and lifestyle.

Mr Uppal is also an expert in the deep plane face lift, SMAS lift and other advanced key hole facelift surgery techniques. Extra care is taken in suturing the incision to minimize the scar, rendering it virtually invisible after the initial healing period. The different options will be discussed at your consultation with Mr Uppal who is one of the leading face lift surgeons in London.

Face lift surgery is performed on an under general anaesthetic and usually takes 2 to 4 hours. Stitches are removed in 7 to 10 days. Recovery takes about 1-2 weeks and most patients return to work after 2 weeks. There is minimal pain with this surgery and patients stay in hospital for 1 night only.

The most important part of a face lift surgery is the neck lift which is part of the procedure. This gives a good result that looks natural and avoids the ‘operated’ look seen in the media.

Face lift surgery can improve confidence and create a more youthful appearance of the face and eyes when combined with eye bag removal (blepharoplasty). To see face lift surgery photos click here.

It’s important that you find a surgeon that understands which direction to pull your neck and face to give the best natural result. Not all surgeons apply this philosophy. Dr Uppal has been using this ‘Ideal Pull’ facelift for over 10 years with good results.

QuickLift or Thread Lifts for the face can be a good option if you cannot afford to spend 2 weeks recovering from a facelift and want to avoid facelift surgery. There seems to be a lot of cosmetic surgery in the media these days and many different types available. There is no substitute however for advice from a professional and experienced plastic surgeon such as Mr Uppal. Unfortunately, over the last 15 years our practice has treated many patients who have spent a lot of money on easy options and got little for this. In summary – thread lifts can work in appropriate patients. This is because the skin of the neck and middle of the face is pulled in a uniform way as a sheet. However if the skin quality is not good or there is a lot of sun damage, the skin is so stretchy that it can fall again within 6-12 months. Our advice is to ask advice from Mr Uppal about whether you are suitable for a thread lift, QuickLift or a mini facelift. A mini facelift has a recovery time of about 2 weeks to allow bruising to settle and short scars. As with all cosmetic face surgery, full recovery and results take 6-12 months. It works because it pulls on the muscle layer under the skin called the SMAS layer and so lasts for 5-10 years.

Mid Face Lift….

from £3945

For younger patients a full facelift is not required. This is an important distinction as younger patients can avoid the longer scars associated with the traditional facelift. The midface is the area around the cheeks and nose that lies below the eyes. It can sag with time and can be lifted by using a scar hidden under the eyelids.

Some patients have a lot of lines on their forehead which are not improved by Botox or Restylane – these often young patients will benefit from an Endotine Brow lift. This makes the forehead look younger by removing all the wrinkles, without the ‘pulled’ look seen with too much Botox. It is performed with you asleep using small 1 cm incisions hidden in the hairline. It gives results that last for at least 10 years.

Chin Surgery….

from £2595

Reducing the size of the chin can make a big difference to how we see ourselves. Others will also notice a dramatic improvement in the shape of the face. Often they cannot work out
exactly what has been done but they will compliment you on how good you look. Reducing a large chin is a simple

procedure with you asleep. It takes about 45 minutes to do and patients go home the same day. The area is numb so there is minimal pain with this. Recovery usually takes a few days. If you have a ‘weak’ chin that is not in balance with your face then a small implant can be inserted in the same way as a day case. There are no visible scars with these procedures which are called Genioplasty as they are all done from inside the mouth.

All operations carry risks as well as benefits.

Where is the scar after a facelift?

The scar is hidden near the ear. It will fade over time and can be covered up with makeup or using your hair in the first few weeks. Mr Uppal will also apply his many years of experience to avoid any changes to the shape of your ears or ear-lobes which can be a problem after a facelift.

How does the face age and how does a facelift work?

Take a look at the structure of the face in the diagram below and see how a face lift will lift the parts of the face that sag with time. As we get older our skin becomes less elastic and starts to droop. All the ligaments and muscles holding the face up start to weaken and sag. This creates wrinkles and a droopy face. Face lift surgery can correct all this.
Mr Uppal is an expert in precise face lift surgery in London and Windsor. He will create a natural look so no one will be able to see that you have had surgery. As he specialises in surgery of the face, he will ensure there is no damage to nerves or other structures seen in the diagram below.
Choosing a surgeon for your face lift is a big decision and so you must ensure that they have experience in this field as Mr Uppal does. He is also up-to-date with the latest techniques to minimise risks from surgery. Mr Uppal regularly attends international meetings in the US, Europe and Asia on face lift surgery and give lectures on the subject also.

Who is a good candidate for a face lift?
Patients who have signs of sagging skin around the face and neck will benefit from a facelift. This usually occurs in the 40s and 50s but some people in their late 30s can also have a sagging neck or jowls. Jowls are the sagging bits of skin at the ends of the mouth going to the chin. They can make the person look sad even though try feel fine.

Patients age depending on lifestyle (too many late nights), genetics (what they inherit from their parents) and others factors such as smoking and sun exposure. Good creams can slow down the ageing process. No cream will reverse wrinkles or ageing even though the marketing will make these claims.

How do I keep my face looking young?

The best advice is to take plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, don’t smoke and use sun-screen. The rest is up to genetics and unpredictable factors such as weight loss. We all lose volume in our cheeks as we get older which makes us look gaunt and older. Face lift surgery by Mr Uppal can improve all these factors giving a fresh appearance.

How long does a facelift last?

How long face lift surgery lasts depends on lifestyle and genetics. Patients who have parents with early signs of ageing and a lifestyle that includes smoking, lots of sun damage and lack of sleep will age quickly. Patients who look after themselves and their skin, age more slowly.
We cannot change our genetics which determines the thickness of our skin and the elasticity of our skin collagen. Thin skin and weak collagen make us age faster. We can control our lifestyle however to delay the ageing of skin. Use a daily sunscreen cream and avoid sunlight. Get lots of sleep, don’t smoke and drink plenty of water everyday. This will protect the skin of the face and slow down ageing.
Facelifts usually last about 10 years. This depends on the factors mentioned above. Genetics and a fast lifestyle will mean the facelift doesn’t last as long. Jowls may return and the neck skin may sag unless good care is taken of the skin. A face lift may last over 10 years if we take good care of our health and skin.

What is a brow lift and who needs it?

As we get older our forehead becomes wrinkled and the eyebrows droop at the sides of our face. The brow drops and sags which in some cases can cover the outer part of our eyes. A brow lift using key hole surgery can restore a youthful forehead and eyes.
A temporal lift is a 45 min procedure under local anaesthetic that can lift the dropping brow through a very small incision hidden in the hairline. Ask Mr Uppal if this will help you as he is an expert in this temporal mini lift.

What is a Mini neck lift?

If there is a little extra skin under the chin, this can be corrected with a short procedure under local anaesthetic that takes about an hour. It will improve hanging skin under the neck which can be unsightly. Patients go home the same day with a bandage under their chin.
This type of neck lift costs from £2295, depending on the severity of the loose skin around the neck.
This mini neck lift cannot improve significant degrees of loose skin, which may require a full neck lift with you asleep. Mr Uppal will advise you on what will be best in your case.

Do thread lifts work?

Yes this can be a simple alternative to surgery. It will lift the neck or face in young patients in their 40s and 50s. Not everyone wants a full facelift and, as long as there are not significant signs of skin laxity or sun damage, then facelift threads may work for you. Please ask us if you are suitable for this technique. Face threads take about an hour to perform and are done with you awake, under local anaesthetic. You can go home soon afterwards with a bandage under your chin. You will need to wear the bandage at night for at least 2 weeks to get the best results. You can go back to work after 48 hours. Most patients have this done on a Friday and be ready for work by the Monday.

Can I have Eye bag removal with my facelift?

Yes. In fact this is very common, as our eyelids age at the same rate as the face, if not before. The majority of patients have eye bag removal of their upper and lower eyelids to get a more balanced and natural look to the whole face with their facelift. It’s not for everyone however, so please discuss your wishes with Mr Uppal.

Can I get rid of the wrinkles on my face?

Yes this is part of the facelift. Wrinkles around the mouth can be improved with a Face Peel. While we can’t remove all the wrinkles, there is a significant improvement with a facelift and peel. Ask us what would be best for you. Smoking and sun damage cause deep wrinkles that can be difficult to improve. Always wear good sunscreen. We also advise all our patient to stop smoking before contemplating any surgery. Electric cigarettes work well in helping patients to stop smoking.