What Is a ‘Ponytail Facelift’?

Every so often, a facelift technique with a catchy marketing name attracts enough interest that patients begin asking plastic surgeons if they offer the procedure. One of those generating some recent buzz online is the “Ponytail Facelift,” a technique that involves using a device called an endoscope. Women and men considering a facelift in the Ft. Myers area curious about the ponytail facelift will discover that the phrase means different things to different surgeons.

As with most marketing phrases used to describe cosmetic surgery procedures, the ponytail facelift tries to convey a mental image to help patients understand what the technique involves. In this case, the method is meant to create results that resemble what patients would look like when pulling their hair into a ponytail.

What is the ponytail facelift technique?

The technique is designed to produce results similar to a facelift without the incisions that are used for traditional facelift procedures. This is another reason for the name—patients theoretically can wear their hair in a ponytail without worrying about visible scars. This lack of noticeable scarring is what gets the attention of people considering facelift surgery.

But the technique is not necessarily the correct one for many patients. The less invasive nature of the procedure involves making small incisions far from the area where the tissue and muscle need lifting. An endoscope is used by the plastic surgeon to see the treatment area. Still, the type of results produced by more traditional techniques—such as SMAS or deep plane facelifts—aren’t possible using the ponytail facelift.

What are the limitations of a ponytail facelift?

For one thing, surgeons can’t remove skin during an endoscopic facelift. That can only be accomplished by making another, larger incision. This is why the procedure is usually recommended for younger patients—in their 40s, for example—whose skin still retains most of its elasticity but who want to address underlying sagging in the cheeks. But the technique can’t improve the appearance of jowls along the jaw or neck sagging.

Even though a ponytail facelift offers both benefits and limitations, it’s more important to find a qualified plastic surgeon than someone who provides a popular technique. (That’s true for most other cosmetic surgery techniques too, by the way.) An experienced plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can recommend the best approach for your unique situation. You may be better suited for a less invasive surgical technique, or a more invasive method may achieve better results for your specific goals.

Few plastic surgeons in Florida can match the expertise and experience of Dr. Hasen. You can see the quality of his results for yourself by browsing our gallery of before-and-after photos featuring some of our actual facelift patients. If you’re looking for a Ft. Myers facelift specialist, you can use the online form to request a personal consultation with Dr. Hasen or call us at (239) 262-5662 to schedule an appointment.