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What is the medical term for a face lift?

  1. Rhytidectomy

  2. Blepharoplasty

  3. Dermabrasion

  4. Botulinum toxin treatment

The correct answer is: Rhytidectomy

The medical term for a facelift is rhytidectomy. This term comes from Greek roots, where "rhytis" means wrinkle and "ektomia" translates to excision or removal. Thus, rhytidectomy refers specifically to the surgical procedure aimed at reducing facial wrinkles and other signs of aging by tightening the skin of the face and neck. In contrast, blepharoplasty refers to eyelid surgery, which focuses specifically on correcting issues related to the upper and lower eyelids. Dermabrasion is a technique used to exfoliate the skin to improve its appearance, often for acne scars or uneven texture, rather than a surgical procedure for the entire face. Lastly, botulinum toxin treatment, commonly known as Botox, involves injecting a substance that temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce wrinkles but does not involve surgical lifting of the skin itself. Thus, rhytidectomy is the precise term used to describe the surgical procedure intended for tightening and rejuvenating the face.