As we go through midlife, gravity tends to make the muscles of the face sag, bringing the overlying facial skin with it. This makes the skin wrinkle, brings the corners of the mouth (and other smile lines) down and, in general, makes the face appear older with more of a frowning appearance.

A face-lift brings the muscles and facial skin back up to the normal contour of the facial bones, restoring the original facial countenance, establishing a more youthful facial contour and profile. The excess skin is then removed, which eliminates the wrinkles and re-establishes the up lines, giving the face a more youthful, healthy appearance similar to how the face looked some 10-15 years earlier.