In today’s fast-paced life, it’s more important than ever that you look as good as you feel. Every day, men and women choose to erase the subtle signs of aging with a facelift, also called a rhytidectomy. With age, our faces tend to lose the depth and definition of a more youthful appearance. The inevitable pull of gravity on the soft tissues of the face, together with the effects of the sun and the stress caused by today’s lifestyle, often lead to creases forming between the nose and mouth, as well as more prominent “jowls” along the jaw line. A facelift can help reverse this process.
What Exactly is a Facelift?
A facelift is designed to diminish signs of aging in the face and neck. It can correct a variety of unwanted flaws, including wrinkling caused by loose and sagging skin, jowls in the lower cheek area and skin folds in the neck. The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman who may have some sagging skin, but whose skin still retains some elasticity. Most facelift patients are in their forties to sixties. However, each facelift is a highly individualized procedure and it is best to consult with your plastic surgeon about your specific situation. Facelift patients often have other facial rejuvenation procedures simultaneously with their facelift. These procedures may include a brow lift, a neck lift or eyelid surgery . It is best to consult with your facelift surgeon to see whether this is appropriate in your specific situation.
What Should You Expect?
A facelift is an outpatient surgery, so you will go home the same day as your procedure. The surgery itself will take approximately 2-3 hours, with an incision being made along the hairline and behind the ears. These scars will be barely visible after healing. The healing process takes about 1 to 2 weeks and you can expect to be slightly swollen and you may experience some bruising.
Are There Any Risks Involved?
A facelift is a surgical procedure and involves certain risks including the possibility of infection, bleeding, blood clots and adverse reactions to anesthesia. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will know how to reduce these risks, and complications are usually very minimal. After surgery, you may experience delayed wound healing, weakness in your facial muscles, hair loss at the incision site or numbness. Following your surgeon’s instructions will help you minimize your risk.
What About Results?
Protecting your skin from the sun and eating a healthy diet will help you to maintain a more refreshed and revitalized appearance for a long time after your facelift. Facelifts are often done in conjunction with blepharoplasty and facial liposuction to give an all-over facial contour that will leave you looking years younger.
If you are ready to appear more youthful with a refreshed look, call us today for a free consultation to see how you can turn back the hands of time.
