What is the medical term for a face lift?

The medical term for a face lift is rhytidectomy. This term comes from Greek roots where "rhytis" refers to wrinkles and "ektomia" means excision or removal. A rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing the signs of aging by tightening the skin and underlying tissues of the face and neck, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance.

Understanding this procedure is essential in the context of cosmetic surgery and dermatology, as it differs from other facial procedures. For instance, dermabrasion involves the mechanical removal of the outer layers of skin to improve texture and appearance, but it is not a surgical lifting technique. Blepharoplasty specifically refers to eyelid surgery, which addresses excess skin or fat around the eyes, rather than the entire face. A facial transplant is a much more complex and rare procedure aimed at replacing damaged facial structures and is not related to the cosmetic lifting of the skin. Therefore, rhytidectomy accurately identifies the procedure commonly known as a face lift.