Navigating the World of Cosmetic Procedures and Age
A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that we perform at West Coast Plastic Surgery Center to reduce visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging skin. There are many factors that go into creating wrinkles and fine lines on the face, including an individual’s environment, genetics, and general gravity of the face. During a face lift, we lift tissues in the skin and tighten muscles to give the face a rejuvenated appearance.
Although anyone in good health can receive a facelift, the patients who tend to be the best candidates for the procedure are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. When it comes to facelifts, rather than getting caught up with age, it is better to look at what symptoms the patient might be experiencing that led them to pursue a facelift, and whether or not a facelift can help correct those issues. In order to get to the bottom of this and figure out whether or not you are at the right time in your life for the facelift, let’s take a look at the various effects a facelift can accomplish:
- Addressing signs of aging and pre-mature aging
Although the aging process and all that comes with it, like wrinkles, fine lines, and more, tend to become more apparent as we grow older, these effects can happen at any age. This is due to our genetics, environmental factors, and personal skincare habits that influence the tone and texture of our skin. Generally, though, as we age, the dermal tissue in the face thins and we tend to lose some of that fresh-looking facial fat. Because a facelift removes excess skin and tightens the tissue and muscle, it can restore the skin and repair these signs of aging to create a smoother and tighter facial appearance. For this reason, patients who are struggling with sagging skin around the jawline or neck, deep creases around the nose and corners of the mouth, jowls or a double chin, and displaced facial fat or volume might benefit from a facelift.
- Tightening skin to create a “tauter” appearance
When the skin is taut, it is stretched evenly and smoothly across the face. It does not appear droopy, but rather, looks rejuvenated and youthful. Because a facelift separates the skin from the muscles and tissues through undermining, we can effectively tighten and smooth the skin during this process. When the excess skin is taken away, what is left will be less wrinkles and tauter skin.
- Recontouring the jawline and neck
This is one area that patients tend to find as a particular area of concern as they age. When we age, the skin along the jawline loses elasticity, which can create a more tired effect than we might desire. For some patients, the condition might grow to the extent that it creates a double chin. With a facelift, we can redefine the jawline and remove excess skin. If a sagging jawline has been an area of concern for you, a facelift might be the right procedure.
- Younger looking skin while retaining a natural appearance
One of the biggest fears of many patients is that they will leave the operating room looking like they have been operated on. The trick is to create a younger appearance without making it clear that the patient has had work done, which is exactly what we do at West Coast Plastic Surgery. Facelifts are particularly valuable in this regard because we can precisely place the incisions along the hairline or an inconspicuous area and close them so meticulously that there will not be evident scarring. Although your peers might notice your younger looking appearance, they will not be able to tell you’ve had a facelift unless you let them know.
To discover if a facelift is right for you, call us at (805) 978-8545 or contact us online.