When Is Facelift Right for You?

If you are considering a facelift, you are not alone. A facelift is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. But what is a facelift? And when is it right for you? In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of a facelift and help you determine if this procedure is right for you.

A facelift or rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgery designed to correct facial aging and wrinkles. This procedure modifies the mid-face appearance, such as the cheeks, forehead, neck, jowls, and lower eyelids. Since this procedure involves the subcutaneous or deep skin layer beneath the outermost layers of your skin, it is a milder procedure than some other types of cosmetic procedures.

Different facelift procedure

1. Mini facelift

The mini facelift addresses the corner of the upper lip and the nose, reviving a slumping chin. This procedure is designed to correct nasal bone irregularities and drooping cheeks. The incisions are made along the full length of the upper lip and extend down into the nasolabial fold. The mini facelift procedures are performed in two stages:

2. Mid facelift

The mid-facelift addresses the area between the upper cheek and lower eyelid, lifting sagging cheeks, smoothing the skin of the lower eyelids, and repairing sagging necks. The incisions for this procedure are made along both sides of the nose, down toward your ears.

3. Non Surgical facelift

If you are considering a facelift and are not ready to undergo facial surgery, you may be interested in nonsurgical options, called botulinum toxin natural facelift procedures. The injectable form of this treatment is less invasive than the surgical facelift. Incisions on the forehead, cheeks, and forehead are necessary for the method to be effective. Botox Cosmetic is injected directly into the areas to be treated for up to 12 months after each treatment.

Factors that determine if a facelift is right for you include:

1. How old are you?

When it comes to a facelift, the aging process is accelerated then slowed down. For example, a 25-year-old has a fresh face that is not yet beginning to show signs of aging. At this age, the skin’s surface may have some blemishes and acne, but it generally looks healthy. On the other hand, a 50-year-old has spent the past few decades exposed to the sun’s harmful rays and environmental factors. As a result, at age 50, they have likely begun to notice signs of aging, such as saggy skin and wrinkles.

2. How much fat is in your face?

This is particularly important when planning a facelift since it is not only the skin that ages. As people age, there is often a decrease in fat below the facial muscles. When the fat disappears, the underlying structures can collapse, including bone and muscle. However, not all individuals will experience this progressive wrinkling effect. For example, patients whose facial skin is naturally full in the lower face. If the skin of the forehead and around the eyes is also well-poured, these areas may stay more stable than others.

3. How much facial hair do you have?

Some people go their entire lives without noticing wrinkles or sagging skin on their faces. That’s not true for everyone. Some individuals have more facial hair than others. It is important to note that the amount of facial hair may increase as you age. In fact, many men must deal with a fuller beard as they get older. Testosterone levels and body weight can influence facial hair growth. So it may be difficult to determine if your beard is affecting wrinkles and sagging skin or whether your wrinkles are making your face appear bushier.

4. If you smoke or not?

Smoking is known to worsen the appearance of facial aging. Many other factors can cause aging. Smoking is one of them, and it may cause premature wrinkles with or without a facelift. However, other factors such as sun exposure and genetics may also play a role. You should consider these potential factors when deciding if you should pursue facelift surgery. Smoking can help reduce wrinkle formation in the corners of the eyes and around the mouth, caused by irritation from smoke particles.

5. Healthy individuals without health conditions that can affect wound healing

If you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease, your doctor may not recommend that you undergo a facelift. However, there are other safe alternatives to cosmetic surgery for men and women with medical conditions. For example, injections and fillers are effective for safely rejuvenating the face.

How does a facelift work?

Facelifts entail the following:

• Smoothening out creases in the skin on the forehead and around the eyes

• Lifting and tightening the facial skin

• Changing facial proportions

• Remove excess skin that causes jowls

What are some benefits of a facelift?

1. Facial rejuvenation: With facelifts, you can improve your appearance. A facelift can erase mid-face wrinkles in the forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck. Additionally, it can reduce sagging skin below the lower eyelids, often caused by mid-face muscle atrophy.
2. Youthful appearance: Achieving a more youthful appearance with a facelift requires that you undergo a thorough evaluation by an experienced facial plastic surgeon. This procedure may also require fat grafting to the face, which is more natural than collagen injections.
3. Deeper folds on the upper eyelids: The upper eyelids normally have creases caused by facial expressions and muscle movement. However, after surgery, these creases may look deeper because of changes in their position or the lack of muscle movement.
4. Improved jawline: Facelift surgery can restore a more masculine jawline by lifting the jowls and giving the surgeon greater access to the underlying tissue. In addition, a facelift can remove excess skin, which is known to cause jowl formation in men and women of all ages.
5. Improved neck appearance: The neck presents a unique challenge for plastic surgeons experienced with this procedure.

Potential Risks of a Facelift

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

• Injection site rash/edema

• Numbness or weakness of the face or tongue (if the facial nerve is affected)

• Revision surgery due to unsatisfactory results. The risk of revision surgery is lower when it is performed by a surgeon with much experience in facelifts. The best facelift surgeons can correct minor imperfections and improve the overall contour and shape.