Today, women and men seeking to revitalize their facial appearance have more choices than ever before. And yet, despite all the new options — from dermal fillers to mini facelift — traditional facelift remains the gold standard, the popular choice for dramatic facial rejuvenation. Here, experienced Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Ellis reviews key facts about facelift, from initial consultation through recovery.
Time-Tested
To say that facelift is a proven surgical procedure is an understatement. The idea of erasing wrinkles and fine lines by surgically tightening facial skin has been around for more than a century. In addition, techniques that concurrently target subdermal facial muscles have been used for more than 50 years.
Facelift trims years from a patient’s appearance by tightening skin and muscles, while sometimes also removing skin and fat. It comprehensively corrects signs of aging by focusing on the middle and lower facial regions. It effectively targets loose skin, displaced fat or sagging tissue on the cheeks, creases beneath the lower eyelids, excess skin and fat along the jawline, and furrows between the nose and corners of the mouth.
Time-Resistant
Facelift performed by an experienced plastic surgeon will typically last about 10 years. The range of results is dependent upon the type of facelift you choose, the flexibility of your skin, and certain lifestyle factors, such as whether you smoke. By contrast, mini facelift may last two to four years; and revisions may last up to seven years. In addition to paring years off your appearance, facelift has the effect of slightly improving the strength and resiliency of the skin, helping to preserve your rejuvenated look into the future.
Timeless Beauty
Your plastic surgeon’s skill is key to achieving a successful facelift. A surgeon who has done many facelifts has accumulated experience with a wide variety of facial types and situations. A surgeon who keeps abreast of the latest techniques and medical best practices knows how important it is to pay attention to the muscles and ligaments under the skin, not simply stretch the surface. An unnatural or “done” look is often the result of a doctor cutting and stretching only the surface layer, creating tension with deeper tissue.
Timely Enhancements
When your facial skin needs a touch-up, there are many noninvasive options to consider in place of additional surgery. Laser resurfacing can smooth and tighten the skin, and injectables will fill lines, wrinkles and hollows on your face that make you look older. Dermal fillers not only add volume to targeted facial areas, but also trigger the production of collagen, the natural protein that adds strength and flexibility to the skin.
Time to Heal
Swelling is an expected aspect of facelift recovery. Swelling builds during the first three to four days after surgery. It is accompanied by bruising and some pain, which can be managed with prescribed medication. Swelling and bruising won’t entirely disappear for one to four months. As swelling subsides, your glorious new look will gradually be revealed.
To learn more about facelift, schedule your personal consultation with experienced Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Ellis today.