Do you want to alter your appearance? If yes, plastic surgery should do the trick.
There are different types of plastic surgery, and the one you opt for will be dependent on your needs. Here, we’ll focus on a facelift.
When should you undergo a facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that can minimize the effects of aging on the face.
It is mostly intended for people who are in their 40s and beyond. The most obvious reason for this is it would be difficult to convince someone that you are in your 20s or 30s when you’re actually in your 60s.
But different factors affect if you should opt for a facelift or not. These include your age, the type of aging you want to tackle, where you are in your life and what you have been doing to improve your looks.
What is a facelift?
A facelift procedure restores a normal contour and skin tone on the face by tightening facial muscles, lifting them, and realigning the cheekbones. While some might choose to undergo both procedures for their face, it is not necessary. A facelift does not involve any cutting of the skin. The procedure is performed as cosmetic surgery.
Why do people choose it?
As we age, our facial structures and wrinkles form around the eyes tend to sag, giving us an aging look. The sagging skin and bones interact with gravity and cause a loss of shape on the face. Though various procedures address aging, a facelift is one of the best options when it comes to tackling facial aging cosmetically.
The procedure can be performed on both men and women. But before you undergo a facelift, it is important to know what you want to achieve.
Whether you want to restore some youthful contours or rejuvenate your entire face, it is important to evaluate the following aspects:
A. How deep are your facial wrinkles?
You might have noticed that the skin around your eyes has become saggy and wrinkled; this happens because of aging and the natural effects of gravity on our facial bones.
But if you have deep folds, your surgeon will refer you to a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon who can help you. Deep wrinkles require surgery to correct. Facelift surgery alone cannot address deep wrinkles and only tackles the skin above them.
B. How much excess skin do you want removed?
There are different parts of the face where the skin and tissues start to sag as we age. The skin becomes loose and lax, giving the facial structure an oversized look.
You might have noticed that the cheekbones and nose are bigger than you would ideally like them to be. The excess skin on the cheeks can also be corrected through a facelift procedure.
C. What type of surgery do you want?
Swelling after facelift surgery is common, especially in the eyes and mouth area; this happens because of the factors mentioned above, which can cause an excess amount of skin to swell and stick to the edges of the incision; this can last for a considerable period, and, normally, you would feel sore while healing.
Which procedure should you opt for between a traditional facelift vs. a non-invasive facelift?
If you have decided on a facelift procedure, your surgeon will then choose the appropriate options for you. Click here to learn more about different facelift procedures.
A facelift can be performed using different surgical methods:
Traditional facelift: This is the procedure that is widely used, especially in the United States. Doctors use dissolving sutures and gauze to lift and tighten the skin, check creases and remove excess skin.
This is the procedure that is widely used around the globe. Doctors use dissolving sutures and gauze to lift and tighten the skin, check creases and remove excess skin. Collagen injections- In this procedure, your surgeon injects special collagen gel into different facial areas to improve elasticity.
In this procedure, your surgeon injects special collagen gel into different facial areas to improve elasticity.
Non-invasive facelift: This procedure has recently gained popularity because it offers patients a more natural look. It helps in smoothing out the face and the cheeks.
This procedure has been gaining popularity recently because it offers patients a more natural look. It helps in smoothing out the face and the cheeks.
In this procedure, doctors inject skin relaxers into different facial areas to relieve tension and build collagen, restoring youth to your face.
These are some of the common types of facelift procedures. The choice you make will depend on your desires, age, and other factors.
What are its risks?
Several risks come with any surgery, so always be cautious about opting for facelift surgery. Here is a closer look at them:
Pain and swelling: Patients experience pain and swelling in their face just after surgery, but this varies from individual to individual. Swelling is common because of the excess amount of skin attached to the incision. Take painkillers as instructed by your surgeon, and you should see some relief.
Patients experience pain and swelling in their face just after surgery, but this varies from individual to individual. Swelling is common because of the excess amount of skin attached to the incision. Take painkillers as instructed by your surgeon, and you should see some relief.
Scarring: Depending on the type of procedures you opt for, you might develop some sutures or scars. However, this is an expected consequence of any surgery and can be addressed through certain medications.
Depending on the type of procedures you opt for, you might develop some sutures or scars. However, this is an expected consequence of any surgery and can be addressed through certain medications.
Nerve and muscle damage: Facelift procedures affect the facial nerves and muscles because of the incision; this might result in facial numbness or drooping cheeks for a short period.
Facelift procedures affect the facial nerves and muscles because of the incision; this might result in facial numbness or drooping cheeks for a short period.
Allergy: You can develop an allergic reaction to some medications used during surgery, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Be sure to speak up to your surgeon, who can then address the issue.
If you are planning a facelift surgery, you must understand all of the risks associated with it.