Think that a facelift only involves the skin and muscles of a face? Think again. Researchers are now learning more about what the human skeleton has to do with youthful vs. aging appearances. One thing that they've learned is that the facial bones play a part in how old a person looks as well as how natural a cosmetic procedure appears. Here are some things to think about:

- Scanned bones lead to discoveries: After CT scans photographed an array of human skulls at various ages; scientists noticed big differences in the bone structures of twenty-some things vs. sixty-something's. Areas around the chin and eye regions actually declined, showing that it wasn't merely the redundant skin that was causing the droopiness and sag. The bone mass had actually lessened, leaving gaps in the areas.

- Archaeologists ponder skulls: Physical archaeologist researchers led to the same findings. After scientists at the Smithsonian Institute checked out thousands of skulls over a period of time, they began to note structural changes due to aging, as well.
- Bones are alive: Just as all parts of the human body evolve, bones change over time since they are living entities. They change due to environmental shifts, dietary intake and lifestyle alterations. Every twelve years, a whole new composition is said to make up one's skeleton.

- Teeth are important: Researchers have also learned how important it is for individuals to keep their teeth in order to support a youthful facial skeleton. The archaeological findings revealed that jaws and skeletal structures appeared much more decrepit in those without teeth. If an individual loses his or her pearly whites, wearing dentures or having dental implants will keep the jaw line more sculpted and attractive. Practicing good oral hygiene habits such as daily brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist every six months for cleanings and exams will go a long way in keeping everything intact.

- What a facelift entails: This procedure's formal medical name is a rhytidectomy. A cosmetic surgeon in a hospital or clinical setting performs it. General anesthesia is sometimes used but twilight sleep anesthesia is also common. This is usually considered to be an outpatient procedure meaning that the patient goes home on the same day. The incisions are made in regions that will be able to hide scars such as in the hairline and behind the ears.

- Other procedures that are done at the same time: The classic operation addresses the lower 75% of a person's face which includes the jowls, chin, and cheeks. If regions such as the forehead, eyelids or neck are also saggy, a brow lift, blepharoplasty or neck lift may be done simultaneously.

When a person becomes interested in tightening up the skin in his or her face, consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon would be a wise step. An examination will need to be done to check out skeletal, skin and tissues in the facial area. The doctor will be able to determine the specific procedures that will be most appropriate to create a younger and more attractive appearance.