Facelift: As you age, your skin becomes thinner, loses moisture and fat, and is no longer smooth. The damages caused by the sun’s UV rays also give up your age as time passes. Some of the notable effects of facial aging include wrinkles, sagging skin, facial creases, fine lines, and bags underneath the eyes that make you look older. You feel less confident, and as you look in the mirror, the face you see makes you miss your youthful years.
Fortunately, there are cosmetic options that have helped several people all over the globe to eliminate the characteristics of aging on the face. In fact, a 2018 research shows that the cosmetic surgery sector was worth approximately $50.67 billion. A facelift is one of the most common surgical procedures patients seek to reverse some aging signs and turn back the clock. Facelift procedures address facial wrinkles, sagging skin, and jowling to give you that refreshed and youthful appearance. Keep reading for more details.
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What is Facelift Surgery?
A facelift also referred to as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims at improving the visible aging signs on your face and neck. This cosmetic procedure is arguably one of the most comprehensive processes that address multiple aging signs.
Notably, as people returned to the office in 2020, the facelift procedure was among the top most preferred cosmetic procedures by about 234,374 Americans.
How Many Years Can a Facelift Surgery Take Off Your Face?
How people perceive your age depends on several factors, including facial contours, skin texture and quality, and apparent skin laxity. A facelift can turn back the clock on aging by about eight to ten years.
Based on a study on how strangers perceive a person’s age before and after cosmetic surgery, the patients seem eight years younger.
Note that a facelift procedure turns back the clock, but it doesn’t mean it halts your age. Fortunately, you will still appear the same eight or ten years younger even as you continue aging.
Tips to Make Your Facelift Outcomes Last Longer
You can outlast the estimated time frame that a facelift takes off your face. Your general health, both physically and mentally, is one of the key things that can help you reach your full potential and maintain that youthful appearance as more years passes on. Consume a healthy diet and refrain from other unhealthy habits like tobacco smoking. You should also keep your body hydrated, exercise regularly, and limit your skin’s exposure to the sun. This will go a long way in helping you achieve longer-lasting results, make you look naturally younger, and feel more confident about yourself.
How to Prepare for the Facelift Surgery
Before undergoing facelift cosmetic surgery, you should visit a plastic surgeon for consultations and the necessary preparations. These can include:
- Medication Review: You should provide all the dosages and names of the medication you are currently taking. These can include vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, herbal medication, prescriptions, and other dietary supplements.
- Medical Examination and History: A surgeon will ask questions about any medical conditions, previous plastic surgeries, drug and alcohol use, and history of smoking. You may also present recent records from your doctor or do a physical examination with a specialist to ensure you qualify for the surgery.
- Facial Exam: A surgeon also takes pictures of your face and assesses your bone structure, skin quality, fat distribution, and the shape of your face to determine the best facelift surgery that can work on your face.
What You Can Expect During and After the Facelift Procedure
Surgeons can decide to use general anesthesia or sedation. During the procedure, the fat in your face may be removed, redistributed, or sculpted. The aim is to elevate the skin and tighten the underlying muscles and tissues. The surgeon then re-drapes the facial skin over the repositioned contours, removes the excess skin, and tapes or stitches the wound.
The incision depends on a patient’s preference or the techniques used by the surgeon. A shorter incision is used in a limited incision, starting from the hairline above the ear that goes around the front area of your ear only. On the other hand, a traditional incision begins at your hairline’s temples, goes around the front part of the ears then goes to the lower scalp. There may also be another incision under your chin. The entire facelift procedure can take about two to four hours.
After the cosmetic procedure, a healthcare provider will take you to an observation room until you wake up. Once you are stable, you can leave the hospital, usually after a couple of hours. Note that you may experience bruising, numbness, swelling, and mild pain. However, if you experience chest pain, severe pain in your neck or face, or irregular heartbeats, make sure you contact your doctor immediately.
Surgeons can use different methods for minimizing facelift scars. A common technique involves covering incisions with bandages to avail some gentle pressure to reduce bruising and swelling. Another effective method is placing a small tube under the skin, usually behind your ears, to drain excess fluid or blood.
The recovery time depends on your overall health and the kind of surgery. Many patients take a couple of weeks, but it can take around two months to have a normal feel of your face.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
Although most patients who have a cosmetic facelift are between 50 and 65 years, you don’t have to reach this age to be an ideal candidate for this procedure. Anyone with unwanted wrinkles or sagging skin can get a facelift. You should also:
- Be a non-smoker
- Have good physical health without any medical conditions that affect your body’s healing ability
- Have realistic expectations
Bottom Line
If you have signs of aging, such as sagging skin or wrinkles, and are looking for a long-term solution, facelift cosmetic surgery can address your concerns. A plastic surgeon can perform this facelift procedure safely and help you turn back the clock to achieve a younger and fresher appearance.
