feature face Actual breast augmentation patient of Dr Milovic 48 www.cosbeauty.com.au
face The modern-day facelift we speak with canberra <strong>and</strong> sydney plastic surgeon Dr Vlad Milovic about the new age of facelifting surgery. caitlin bishop reports. Over time, the effects of gravity, sun damage <strong>and</strong> the stresses of everyday life appear on the face, altering the way people appear to the outside world. Deep lines may appear around the eyes <strong>and</strong> mouth, sagging skin may fall from the cheek, jawline <strong>and</strong> neck, <strong>and</strong> fat deposits that were once full <strong>and</strong> firm deplete, leaving hollow <strong>and</strong> sunken areas of the face. As people are living increasingly lengthy lives, a facelift can help men <strong>and</strong> women look as young as they feel inside. Canberra <strong>and</strong> Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Vlad Milovic explains the goal of facelift surgery is to achieve a more youthful, natural-looking <strong>and</strong> rejuvenated appearance, not one where the surgery is evident, or where the skin has a ‘pulled’ appearance. ‘The modern approach to facelifting involves repositioning the skin, as well as the layer of muscle <strong>and</strong> tissue beneath (known as the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS),’ he explains. ‘This restores facial elements to create a younger looking appearance while avoiding the telltale signs of surgery.’ Which facelift is right for me? Dr Milovic draws on a variety of advanced techniques to achieve a natural, more youthful look. ‘My surgical approach depends on the patient – their circumstances, goals <strong>and</strong> the condition of their skin,’ Dr Milovic says. One such technique is the composite facelift, a procedure designed to reshape the entire face including the upper <strong>and</strong> lower eyelids, as well as the brow <strong>and</strong> neck. It differs from traditional facelifting surgery by addressing the face as a single dynamic unit, rather than a series of separate, static parts. ‘The composite technique lifts facial tissues, fat, muscle <strong>and</strong> skin in one continuous section,’ Dr Milovic explains. ‘By tightening the underlying structures of the face, rather than just addressing the skin, I can restore the neck, jawline <strong>and</strong> mid face with more natural-looking results.’ ‘By smoothing <strong>and</strong> tightening skin in the lower eyelids, a composite facelift can also help reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes,’ he adds. ‘Also, by elevating the fat pad in the cheek, a more alert, youthful appearance can be created.’ Dr Milovic also draws on the S-Lift technique. This is a type of facelift named after the S-shaped incision made in the hairline at the temple <strong>and</strong> in front of the ear. During the procedure, the SMAS <strong>and</strong> attaching skin is usually elevated as one unit <strong>and</strong> only excess skin is removed. The surgery is not as extensive as a composite facelift, <strong>and</strong> the best c<strong>and</strong>idates are those who do not have significant skin laxity of the neck <strong>and</strong> jowls. ‘The S-lift is most suited to patients beginning to show signs of facial ageing <strong>and</strong> who want some tightening of the lower face,’ he says. Dr Milovic will discuss each of the techniques in detail during consultation, outlining the advantages <strong>and</strong> risks of each, before devising the best surgical plan for each individual patient. www.cosbeauty.com.au 49