If you're considering a facelift..

As people age, the effects of gravity exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases from between the nose and mouth, the jaw line grows slack and jowly, folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.

A face lift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can't stop the process. What it can do is ''set back the clock,'' improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.