Facelift: The Ultimate Weapon to Combat Aging
Aging is a gradual natural process that leads to skin changes with visible signs such as wrinkles, fine lines, sallow and slack saggy skin, and dry skin. Factors such as age, environment, and lifestyle choices lead to it. As you age, your skin begins to lose its elasticity and youthful appearance, which is why you may notice the signs of aging appear earlier in life than you may have previously.
While you cannot prevent or reverse the effects of aging, there are many procedures designed to treat the signs of aging and improve the appearance of your skin. One of the most common surgical procedures used to treat the manifestation of aging in both men and women is a facelift.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift is one of the most popular plastic surgeries today, designed to improve the appearance of the face, neck, and chin. This procedure removes wrinkles from the eyes, forehead, and cheeks. The incision removes excess fat, deposits lose muscle tissues, and tightens the underlying muscles. The result is a more toned and lifted skin which can last up to five years.
People who have lost their youthful look due to aging are the typical clients for the procedure. However, it may also be considered for patients who want to improve appearance after having had previous facelift surgery.
Facelifts can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery to achieve optimal results. It is worth noting that a facelift cannot stop aging, nor can it change your bone structure, cartilage, and basic appearance. For these reasons, discuss your expectations for this procedure with your doctor before undergoing any treatment.
Who Should Have a Facelift?
Facelift should only be performed with signs of aging. People who have undergone multiple facelifts do not require another one. Many different factors determine whether someone needs a facelift.
These include:
- Age
- Amount of skin loss
- Type of skin damage
- Level of facial sagging
- Location of skin laxity
- Overall health
Types of Facelifts
Several types of facelifts are available to address specific issues. Some procedures improve the appearance of your facial features, while others aim to restore your youthful appearance by reducing the appearance of sagging skin and jowls. For example, a full-face lift will do if a patient has thinning hairline and excessive wrinkling at the temples. If the patient thickens the neck area, a neck lift will suffice. Let us look at the different types of facelifts.
Mini Facelift:
It is a facelift procedure involving a minor incision and helps correct sagging skin around the jawline and the neck.
Mid Facelift:
As the name suggests, this procedure targets the checks, upper mouth, nose, and below the eyes.
Deep Plane:
The procedure removes the sagging neck, strengthens skin laxity, and corrects the chin base area.
How to Prepare for a Facelift
If you consider having a facelift, it is a good idea to prepare for the procedure in advance by scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon. During your consultation, the surgeon will perform a full assessment of your skin and tell you about any additional procedures that may be needed to help improve the appearance of your skin.
You may also ask the plastic surgeon about their experience performing facelifts and whether they use any particular techniques or procedures to help improve the look of your skin. You can find out what to expect during your recovery period and inquire whether or not you will need any pain medication to manage discomfort.
How Long Does a Facelift Take?
It takes approximately 2 hours for the surgeon to perform the actual operation. The entire process typically takes 3 to 4 hours, although some cases take longer. Most patients go home within 24 hours of the surgery. In general, the recovery period is about six weeks.
Recovery After a Facelift
After a procedure, the body immediately begins the facelift recovery process. During the first week after surgery, swelling and bruising occur. You might experience pain during this time. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help control the pain and speed up your recovery.
You may notice changes in your skin color which is normal and does not indicate anything abnormal. Within two months after surgery, the scars begin to fade. As the scar fades, you may see new lines forming, which is normal and will disappear in time. After three months, you will no longer need to wear a compression garment. You may return to work after six months. Limit physical activities until complete healing of stitches.
Risks of a Facelift Surgery
While a facelift is a relatively safe procedure, it is still a surgery and carries some risks. The incision made during the facelift may become infected, requiring antibiotics and a second surgery to complete the procedure. Scarring and redness are also possible side effects of the facelift, but these should go away within a few months. Facelift recovery time is typically about two weeks, during which you are likely to experience some swelling, bruising, and numbness in the area of the incision.
Facelift surgery can also cause permanent damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and surrounding skin if the incision is made improperly or leaves the incision open. If you consider having a facelift, it is best to discuss your options with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
How Much Does a Facelift Cost?
The cost of a facelift varies depending on the case. Factors like the number of treatment areas, the amount of work involved, and where the surgery is performed affect how much the surgery costs. The expertise of the surgeon involved plays a role in the pricing too. The average cost of facelifting ranges between $7,000-$15,000. It would help if you discussed with your physician about the payment options since most insurance companies do not cover facelift costs.
Conclusion
Facelifts are an age-old beauty treatment that can make a noticeable difference in the appearance of your skin. But while the premise is simple, the science behind them is complex. Today, the most advanced facelifts combine traditional and modern techniques to achieve the best results for patients of all ages. The above post has all the basic details you need to know if you are considering a facelift.
