Although the term facelift is perhaps the most popular term when it comes to cosmetic surgery, you may be surprised to learn that there are other ways to achieve a “facelift” that don’t involve major surgery.
1. There are Different Types of Facelifts
Most people are unaware that there are different types of facelifts. Some are more dramatic and others are more subtle. Each focuses on a specific area of your face, but they all give you a more youthful look. A comprehensive or facelift lifts and tightens pretty much the whole face. A mini or lower facelift affects the bottom third of the face. It’s usually quicker and less invasive, but the results don’t last as long. A cheek or midface lift focuses on the cheekbones and requires minimal incisions.
When you’re deciding what procedure you want, it’s a good idea to identify your main areas of concern and also to consider the degree of change you want to see. Getting a full facelift requires the longest recovery time and also means that the results are likely to be more drastic, more pronounced and longer lasting.
2. Choosing the Right Surgeon
Once you’ve made the decision to get a facelift, you’ve now got to find a surgeon to do the procedure. You don’t want just any surgeon to handle the care of the first thing people see when they meet you. Picking a skilled and well practised cosmetic surgeon will make a big difference in both your appearance and your recovery. One of the best ways to start your search is to ask friends, family and coworkers if they know of an excellent surgeon. If someone tells you, Dr. Ruth Hill Yeilding is a facial plastic surgeon my aunt used,” or something similar, start there. You should also do some Internet research to discover cosmetic surgeons close enough to your location that you would like to check out.
Now that you have created a list of providers, it’s time to start weeding them out. Narrow it down to three or so surgeons and schedule consultations. Ask lots of questions. Ask to see before and after pictures of previous patients. Look for scarring, visible incisions, quality of work and the symmetry of the face. You should also read as many reviews of patients to see how others received the surgeon and how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their experience. And check their credentials. They should be a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or another reputable association.
3. Change Isn’t Permanent
The results of a facelift typically last up to 10 years. The reason some patients opt to have repeat procedures is that, although they may have visibly combatted the effects of time, they haven’t actually fought time and won. We are aging every moment that we are alive, and the effects of aging stop for no one. Your facelift can certainly reverse the visible effects of aging, and make the process appear to be acting slower on your appearance. You are sure to look younger and fresher after your procedure, but be prepared for routine maintenance and upkeep that you may not have been accustomed to before getting your facelift.
There are some things that you can do to help the effects of your facelift to last as long as it possibly can. Making sure to eat healthily, moisturize and drink plenty of water are just some of the things you can do to extend the life of your cosmetic surgery. You should also consider adding some non-invasive procedures to help maintain your new and improved look. Some of these procedures include microdermabrasion and facials. Taking these few extra steps can extend the life of your facelift and boost your self-confidence.
4. Side Effects
Side effects may differ according to the type of facelift you get. Some of the side effects include lumps or bumps under their skin. These can be small blood clots in the tissue or they could be ridges from fat removal. Lumps and bumps are usually temporary and will go away with time. Other side effects include facial numbness, infection, motor or sensory nerve loss and hematoma. Hematoma is a solid swelling due to the clotted blood in the tissue that usually requires further surgery to eliminate. Some of the side effects may be more related to the anaesthesia or pain medication you are subscribed.
Hair loss or thinning is another side effect that often gets overlooked. Because the surgeon will have to shave a small area of hair in several spots near your face to make incisions, you may notice a difference in the hair growth in these areas. Some patients have reported that those areas never truly recover.
5. Recovery
Recovery is different for every patient. Many patients report little to no pain after their procedure, but the amount of pain will vary according to the type of facelift you receive and according to your own tolerance level. The care your surgeon takes in performing the procedure may also have some bearing on how much discomfort you feel after you have your surgery.
Another thing about recovery that patients may not realize is that recovery is a process and that patience is required. If you choose to have a facelift, you must give yourself the necessary time to heal. Even if you have a minimally invasive surgical procedure, you still had a surgical procedure that will require that you take some downtime. Recovering may take more time than you would initially think. In terms of feeling like yourself and not feeling any pain or fatigue, that phase of the recovery may only take anywhere from a week to a month. That will depend on your unique genetic makeup and the type of facelift you choose. But the time your face takes to recover can take as few as 4 months and as long as a year. Check with your surgeon for your specific prognosis.
You can also join or read comments and personal facelift stories to get a better gauge of what to expect during the recovery process. Some people are completely healed in 6 months and their face has settled into its new normal, while others have to wait a year before their face is fully healed.
6. Healing Takes Time
Although you may recover from your procedure quite quickly, you may be surprised at how long the swelling and bruising may last. Regardless of the type of facelift you have, you will need someone to drive you home from the hospital and you will need someone to stay with you for the next 2 days or so. It may be a while before you truly feel comfortable being out in the world for people to see and interact with.
Before you have your procedure, make sure that you budget enough time for the healing process to take place. It will be quite a few weeks before the swelling and bruising begin to dissipate, so going back to work in a week or two are not advised. You will likely be told not to do any heavy lifting, nothing heavier than a gallon of milk or a baby. Undergoing surgery has an amazing way of showing just how many parts of our bodies are involved in routine and mundane tasks.
7. You Can Avoid It
There are many things that you can do to help reduce you’re feeling a need for a facelift or put it off for as long as possible. Some things you can do to keep a more youthful appearance include drinking plenty of water daily, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy and exercising.
Other things you can do to stave off a surgical facelift is to consider non-invasive options like facial fillers. Facial fillers are usually injected into different areas on your face to fill out sagging or wrinkled skin. Restylane and Botox are just two of several injectable fillers currently on the market. You may also want to consider laser treatments or Kybella.
8. The Right Time for a Facelift
There is no right or wrong time to get a facelift. In general, people begin to consider the procedure when they begin to notice visible and irreversible signs of aging. Many people will give all the other options like creams, serums, facials, lifestyle changes and non-invasive medical procedures a chance before moving forward with a facelift. Facelift patients are typically over the age of 55, but it seems that more and more young people are considering and getting cosmetic surgery.
If you’re considering getting a facelift, you definitely want to be informed about what exactly you will be getting yourself into. It helps to know what to expect, what kind of support you may need after the procedure and how to choose the absolute best surgeon for you. Getting a facelift is a surgical procedure and although it is usually an elective procedure, the decision to move forward with a facelift should not be taken lightly.