The S-Ponytail Lift is performed endoscopically, avoiding any visible scars in front of the ears. Instead, the incision is discreetly placed within the hairline, making it effectively hidden.
Dr. Janssen’s technique focuses on preserving the integrity of the facial skin and underlying fat layers. This ensures optimal vascularisation and health of the skin, which prolongs the duration of youthful aesthetic outcomes.
Many traditional facelift techniques involve horizontal tensioning of the skin, which can lead to am unnatural, and conspicuous “facelifted” appearance.
Dr. Janssen repositions the skin vertically to counteract the effects of gravity, preventing a tight windswept look.
As an endoscopic procedure, the S-ponytail facelift does not distort the natural anatomy of your ear or affect your hairline at all, making it a minimally invasive procedure. The tragus, which is located just in front of your ear opening, remains unaffected and will not be pulled forward. Dr. Janssen's technique avoids incisions in front of the ear or behind the tragus, opting instead to make a hidden incision in the hairline of the temple area and behind the ear.
Dr. Janssen chooses to shape and sculpt each S-ponytail technique for each patient’s face. His focus is on enhancing each individual’s youthful beauty instead of pulling and tightening their skin.
The vertical lift employed in Dr Janssens S-ponytail technique creates a refined contour along the cheeks and jawline. This contouring leads to a fuller appearance in the upper and mid-face, contributing to the heart-shaped aesthetic. Studies demonstrate a statistically significant advantage of the S-Ponytail lift in elevating the nasolabial fold and midface, when compared to other facelift techniques, including the Deep Plane Facelift.
A good candidate for the Endoscopic S-Ponytail Facelift is an individual who shows early signs of aging, such as sagging skin, loss of youthful contours, and fine lines.
Ideal candidates typically exhibit moderate facial drooping, particularly in the cheeks and jawline, and should maintain a relatively strong jawline to achieve optimal aesthetic results.
It is important to emphasise that Dr. Janssen’s technique prioritises the enhancement of natural features and the restoration of youthful appearance rather than imposing drastic alterations to one's anatomy.
The Endoscopic S-Ponytail Facelift procedure typically requires 3 to 4 hours to complete. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the individual case and whether complimentary procedures (e.g. Neck Lifts) are included.
Following the surgery, patients can expect an average recovery period of 2 to 3 weeks and see optimal results after about 3 months.
The Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at rejuvenating key areas of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks, corners of the mouth, and early jowling while creating a feminine heart-shaped face.
Dr Janssen’s technique lifts and smooths the forehead to reduce wrinkles, elevates the cheeks to enhance contour and restore volume, and addresses the corners of the mouth to prevent an aged appearance. Whilst also addressing early jowling by targeting initial sagging along the jawline.
Recovery for the Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift generally follows the following timeline. Most patients feel socially presentable within 1 to 2 weeks post-procedure, with minimal discomfort and swelling. By around 6 weeks, visible signs of surgery typically diminish significantly. The optimal results of the lift become most apparent at the 3-month mark, as the tissue continues to heal and settle into its final position.
Both a ponytail technique and a traditional facelift begin with an incision. The traditional facelift, however, will involve longer incisions, a longer surgical time, and a longer recovery time compared to the ponytail technique facelift, which involves only a single incision behind the hairline.
The traditional full facelift is better suited for patients who are a bit older and have loose drooping facial skin.
The S-Ponytail Lift is performed endoscopically, avoiding any visible scars in front of the ears. Instead, the incision is discreetly placed within the hairline, making it effectively hidden.
The S-Ponytail lift is performed as a day case, either under conscious sedation or general anaesthetic, depending on the patient’s preference. Some patients prefer conscious sedation due to fewer side effects like nausea, vomiting, or grogginess. Patients may feel more alert and have a clearer mind after the procedure.
While any surgical procedure to the face and neck carries some potential for side effects, all facelift approaches generally have a comparable and safe complication profile. Therefore, we believe that the choice of technique should be based on the quality of results.
The endoscopic S-Ponytail lift elevates the skin, facial fat, and muscle together as a single unit, repositioning the deep facial musculature with a lower risk of facial motor nerve damage compared to other facelift techniques. A more detailed explanation of the risks will be provided during the in-person consultation.
The Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift provides long-lasting, natural-looking results. Over time, factors such as gravity, sun exposure, and the natural decline in collagen production will cause new signs of aging to appear.
This ongoing aging process means that a patient who has undergone the endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift will continue to age naturally, with the noticeable effects of aging appearing again about 10 to 15 years after their initial facelift. It is important to consider how the endoscopic facelift might affect the need for a deep plane or other type of facelift in the future.
The S-Ponytail lift elevates the skin, facial fat, and muscle together en bloc as a single unit, with no scar tissue created in the deep plane, as the Deep Plane procedure is executed in an intermediate plane. Therefore, any future facelift is not affected by the S-Ponytail Lift.
The timeframe for returning to work or normal activities after the Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift varies based on the nature of your job.
We generally recommend taking 1 to 2 weeks off to allow for initial recovery and to minimise visible signs of surgery.
It is important to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 6 weeks to prevent swelling and ensure optimal healing. It’s important to note each individual’s recovery may differ slightly.
Yes, the Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift can be effectively combined with other cosmetic procedures for a more comprehensive rejuvenation approach. A common combination is seen with the S-Ponytail Lift and a Neck lift to create a more "comprehensive S-Ponytail lift," enhancing both the facial and neck regions for a harmonious appearance.
Another is incorporating a lip lift to further enhance facial aesthetics by adding volume and definition to the lips, resulting in a more balanced and youthful look.
The need for additional procedures varies based on each individual's anatomy and personal aesthetic goals. During your initial consultation with Dr. Janssen, he will provide a personalised assessment to determine whether any complementary procedures would be beneficial.
While fillers and Botox can enhance facial aesthetics, they cannot replicate the comprehensive results of the Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift. Fillers primarily restore volume and fullness to specific areas, addressing issues such as volume loss and wrinkles. Botox, on the other hand, relaxes targeted muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, particularly in the forehead and around the eyes.
The Endoscopic S-Ponytail Lift, however, is a surgical procedure that provides a more significant lifting effect by repositioning the underlying tissues of the face and neck. It not only addresses sagging skin and deep facial folds but also creates a more youthful contour by tightening and lifting in a way that injectable treatments cannot achieve.
It's important to note that by the time women reach their forties, fillers may become less effective due to the natural loosening of facial tissues. Tighter skin tends to hold fillers better, contributing to a lifting effect. Conversely, as skin elasticity decreases, the added weight of fillers can lead to a downward pull on the face, diminishing their intended benefits. Therefore, while non-surgical options exist, the effectiveness of fillers may vary based on individual anatomical factors and age.
Expect to wear a light bandage on your head for the first day and skin-coloured tape on your face for several days to minimise bruising and swelling. Before you leave the clinic on the day of the surgery, the WaterhouseJanssen team will explain the recovery process once again and inform you when to return for a follow-up appointment.
Following your endoscopic S-Ponytail facelift procedure, it is common to experience bruising and swelling in the midface and under-eye area, but these usually resolve within 10 to 14 days. Of course, this timeline may vary, as everyone heals differently.
Facelift recovery times depend on the type of facelift performed. Generally, the recovery time for the endoscopic S-Ponytail facelift is shorter than that for a traditional facelift.
During the first few days of recovery, you should be able to leave the house and engage in normal activities. While you can go on long walks 48 hours after surgery, you should refrain from strenuous exercise for 2 weeks. Additionally, we use hyperbaric oxygen treatments and lymphatic massage therapy to expedite the healing process.
