Aging is an inevitable part of growing older. This involves physical changes in the way our faces look. This may include the fat pads in your cheeks and chin beginning to descend downward, the skin of the lower face sagging and hiding bone structure, and the skin becoming thinner overall. Facelift surgery is the most effective treatment to address these changes and concerns. Here are things you should know about facelift surgery.
A facelift involves removing extra skin from the lower face and tightening the skin and underlying muscular structures. This creates a natural-looking, youthful appearance. The goal of the procedure is not to completely change the facial appearance, but rather turn back the clock on aging to allow patients to consistently look younger than their age for the rest of their lives.
There are several different types of facelifts including mini facelifts, extended facelifts, and deep plane facelifts, among others. This allows face lift surgeons Raleigh to customize each facelift procedure to the patient and their facial features.
Candidates for a facelift procedure tend to be people above the age of 45. They are in good health and do not smoke. The patient should also have noticeable signs of aging of the lower face. If they do not yet have the extent of aging necessary for a Raleigh plastic surgeon to perform a facelift, they may recommend a mini facelift or an alternative such as a liquid facelift.
Younger Appearance
Removes extra skin
Tightens skin and facial structure
Helps better define the jawline, chin, and sometimes the cheeks
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Repositions descended fat pads
Scarring
Hair loss
Hematoma (bruising, usually when more severe or prolonged)
Nerve damage
Skin necrosis (skin loss)
Major complications from facelift surgery are rare, especially when performed by qualified facelift surgeons in Raleigh. In most cases, they are preventable with patient screening, surgical technique, and following recovery instructions.
A standard facelift lasts an average of ten years. However, a more extensive facelift may last longer. For example, a deep plane facelift lasts an average of twelve years and an extended facelift is just over ten years. This will vary based on factors like the patient’s lifestyle, medical conditions, genetics, and simple luck.
Regardless, patients will continue to always look younger than their peers that never had a facelift. Since the original surgery set them about ten years back, they will return to their appearance before the facelift which is still roughly ten years younger than others their age.
A facelift is an anti-aging surgery. Therefore, it is rare to need one or benefit from a facelift before 45 at the earliest. Some younger patients may occasionally qualify for a facelift in particular circumstances. The average age of a facelift patient is between 50 and 55.
Similarly, while not many people above 65 undergo a facelift, it is certainly possible as long as the patient is healthy enough for surgery, will see good results, and otherwise qualifies for the procedure. Older patients may qualify for more extended facelift procedures due to needing to remove more skin for the ideal result.
The best way to maintain facelift results is to protect your skin from the sun. Sun damage is one of the top aging factors. Always wear sunscreen, even in the winter months, and take other measures to avoid direct, prolonged sun exposure. Additionally, professional skin procedures and injections such as neurotoxins and micro needling may help keep the skin looking younger for longer.
You may consider staying in contact with your plastic surgeon. They can evaluate your results, even years later, and provide personalized advice on how best to maintain your results.
The best facelift surgeons in Raleigh help patients look and feel more like themselves. People do not have to surrender to aging and can take it into their own hands. While aging is not fully preventable, there are ways to minimize aging factors and treat existing signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Dr. Jindal is a board-certified surgeon who offers surgical and non-surgical cosmetic services in Raleigh, North Carolina.