Facial Rejuvenation Surgery – Four Facelift Facts You Need to Know

As a person ages, the facial features will also begin to age as a person gains facial lines and wrinkles and also starts to lose volume in the face. While there are certain cosmetic treatments that can help to slow down the signs of aging on the face such as Botox and fillers, there are also some patients that turn to the surgical facial rejuvenation procedure known as a facelift in order to gain results that are both long-lasting and natural in appearance. If you are thinking about undergoing a facelift, it is important to be prepared and have the correct information about this surgical facial rejuvenation procedure. In order to help you make an informed decision, check out these four facelift facts you need to know. 

Four Facelift Facts You Need to Know

1. Facelift Explained – In general, a facelift is a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure that is performed to lift and tighten skin that is sagging on the face and neck of a patient. During the procedure, the surgeon will create small incisions around the earlobes of the patient. Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will lift the skin and then pull it back in order to be able to remove any excess skin and fat. In addition, the surgeon will tighten the underlying muscles in order to provide a better contour to the facial area. Once the excess skin and fat is removed, and the underlying muscles are tightened, the surgeon will place the lifted skin back on the face and close the incisions. A facelift is an ideal option to treat issues such as loose skin that can be considered to be drooping in appearance as well as jowls and nasolabial folds which are located between the nose and the mouth. While the face will continue to age and gravity will continue to pull on the skin, the results of a facelift can last anywhere from 10-20 years. 
2. Facelift Recovery Period – One fear that patients have about undergoing a facelift is the idea that the recovery time will take anywhere from a month or two after the facial rejuvenation surgery is completed. It can take about six months for any scars to settle but most patients will have a recovery period of 10-14 days before they can start to resume some of their regular activities. You can expect to see some swelling and bruising during the recovery process but these conditions will disappear on their own after the first few weeks.
3. Facelift Risks – Much like any other surgical procedure, a facelift can have a few risks that you should be aware of before making the final decision to have the surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, some of the most common risks and complications of a facelift include bleeding, chance of infection, facial nerve injury, numbness, scarring, skin discoloration, swelling, bleeding and asymmetry with the facial features. If you are concerned about any of the above risks and complications, be sure and ask your doctor about them before you make the final decision to have a facelift.
4. Facelift Benefits – While a facelift does give a person a youthful and more contoured look to the face, there are some benefits that go beyond the visible physical changes to the facial area. Some of the other benefits from undergoing a facelift include a better self-image and increased self-confidence thanks to a younger and more rejuvenated appearance to the face. Patients often say that they feel like their appearance on the outside is finally reflecting how they feel on the inside as well. One of the other benefits enjoyed by patients is the fact that the results of a facelift should not be obvious to others. The results of a facelift are natural in appearance and the person will simply have a younger look that is not too tight or stretched to the point that the person looks “overdone”. In addition, the more contoured and youthful look can make a person look more successful and attractive to others.

Facial Rejuvenation Facelift Consultation Appointment

The decision to have a facelift is often a deeply personal one which means you should take the time to think about the specific questions you want to ask during your consultation appointment with the doctor you have in mind to perform the procedure. The consultation appointment is your chance to have a one-on-one discussion with a board-certified surgeon to learn more about the procedure and to address any concerns on your mind. You should also ask to view “before and after” photos of actual patients treated by the surgeon to get a better idea about the type of results you can expect to see after your facelift. It is also your opportunity to discuss your desired final results with the surgeon so you will both be in agreement about the type of facelift, such as a traditional facelift, a mini facelift or treating the skin under the chin with a neck lift, which will best achieve your desired final results.

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