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The desire to look younger is no stranger to women of all ages. From the young age of 30 to the ripe age of 80, there are many products flooding stores, infomercials, advertisements and surgery centers providing endless options for rejuvenating the faces of these ladies. Today, women can achieve immediate results by opting for a cosmetic procedure professionally known as rhytidectomy.

More commonly referred to as face lift surgery, rhytidectomy is a major surgical procedure taking 3 to 4 hours to complete. During the procedure, an incision is made at the hairline and around the ear so loose, sagging skin can be pulled back into place along with removing any leftover tissue. The average price tag for a traditional face lift is $8,000. Good candidates for this cosmetic surgery include those wishing to rid their faces of severe laxity and sagging of the facial skin, as well as those with strong jaw lines and well-defined facial bone structure. Higher risks and chances of complications are associated with the traditional face lift including cardiac and pulmonary complications, numbness, irregularities in the contour of skin, bleeding and scarring. The results are dramatic and last 10 years or longer.

A miniature version is known as the mini face lift. Sometimes nicknamed a "weekend" or mini face lift, this procedure has fewer risk factors and is more favorable to younger clientele with more precise, natural-looking results. Highlights of this procedure are a shorter surgery and speedier recovery. With a cheaper price tag averaging $5,000, this enhancement provides a more refreshed, rejuvenated result targeting one area. Good candidates tend to be the 30 to 40 crowd. 

Widely used in Europe and growing in popularity in the United States is the MACS facelift. Minimal Access Cranial Suspension, MACS, is becoming a preferred method with its shortened scar and less invasive process. Results last 5 to 10 years with an average price of $5,000. The procedure entails only the first portion of the traditional facelift. A smaller amount of bruising, scarring and swelling is experienced in the final result.