The facelift is perhaps the most well-known cosmetic surgery procedure in existence – but that doesn’t mean it’s the most well-understood. It’s no secret that the facelift is a powerful treatment for taking years off of the appearance and restoring youthfulness. Below, we’ll explore the basics of the facelift surgery to help you determine whether this treatment could be a good fit for you.
The Facelift Surgery Explained
The facelift surgery is a comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure that is designed to eliminate signs of aging. The technique behind the procedure is fairly simple: incisions are made along the hairline and behind the ears. Occasionally, an additional incision might be made underneath the chin. Through these incisions, your surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin to eliminate lines and wrinkles and produce a more youthful appearance. By directly tightening the skin and the underlying tissue, the facelift can dramatically refresh the appearance and restore years of youthfulness.
Why Get a Facelift?
You may want to consider a facelift if you have developed moderate to severe signs of aging, especially if they cannot be addressed with other treatment methods. Medical Spa treatments offer non-surgical alternatives that can rejuvenate the appearance, but if you have developed sagging jowls, deep wrinkles and other skin laxity issues, a facelift may be the most effective way to rejuvenate the appearance. Ultimately, you may want to choose a facelift if you want a comprehensive and long-lasting facial rejuvenation procedure that can take several years off the appearance.
Types of Facelifts
There are two types of facelift techniques, the traditional or full facelift and the mini facelift. The full facelift is the most commonly performed technique, and it’s what most of us are referring to by using the term “facelift”. A mini facelift is a more abbreviated surgery that primarily targets the mid- to lower-face. This may be a preferred treatment for patients looking for a lesser recovery time, more subtle results or those who simply do not need a full facelift.
Limitations of the Facelift
Although a facelift is one of the most capable facial surgery procedures, there are some limitations to it. For example, the facelift will not target the eyes or the neck. Although these areas are around the face, differences in facial tissue make it difficult to fully address these areas with a facelift alone. So, while you can expect subtle improvements in these areas, for complete facial rejuvenation, you may want to consider combining your facelift with a blepharoplasty or neck lift.
After the Facelift
The facelift procedure is a major surgery, and as such, has a notable recovery period associated with it. Patients can expect to take at least two weeks off of work and other usual activities in order to recuperate and rest following their surgery. During this time, you can expect some swelling, bruising and related side effects as the body recovers. Most patients are recovered approximately two months following their procedure, at which time they are able to fully resume their normal lifestyles.
The results from a facelift can last for many years, and for most patients, this means about 7 to 10 years. Keep in mind that the facelift procedure will not stop aging, but merely set it back temporarily. Results are technically permanent, but the aforementioned estimate refers to the amount of time it typically takes for patients to develop signs of aging comparable to their initial appearance. This number will vary further by patient depending on lifestyle, age and other factors.
Is a Facelift Right for Me?
There are a lot of factors to consider before choosing to pursue the facelift. The best way to determine your candidacy for treatment, and whether it is the best treatment for you, is to schedule a consultation with us at Buinewicz Plastic Surgery. Contact us today to set up this appointment so we can help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
