A facelift is an effective plastic surgery solution to restore youthfulness to your facial and neck features. You can achieve beautiful and natural-looking results, especially when you choose a board-certified surgeon who brings excellent ethics, care, and experience to the table. Although cosmetic treatments can benefit people as young as in their 20s, professionals usually recommend facelifts to individuals in their 40s, 50s, or 60s for the most effective and permanent results. Of course, each person’s situation is unique, and consulting a reputable plastic surgeon is a helpful first step if you are considering pursuing a facelift.
What Factors Should You Consider?
- Aging signs including fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, skin discoloration, and loss of volume
- Age as most plastic surgeons do not perform facelifts on clients under the age of 35 or 40
- Lifestyle including habits that may accelerate the aging process such as smoking, heavy drinking, unprotected sun exposure, and poor diet
- Genetics that can affect certain skin concerns
- How you feel about your appearance
- Your aesthetic goals
What Does a Facelift Involve?
A facelift can restore youthfulness with volume and definition to a specific section of your face like the upper, middle, or lower part, or all of it. Your plastic surgeon can incorporate additional procedures as part of a facelift such as a brow lift, a rhinoplasty, or a neck lift.
Your plastic surgeon may also recommend a mini facelift that addresses early aging signs on individuals who are in their late thirties to forties.
You can expect to be under general anesthesia during your facelift and the procedure can take two to four hours. During the surgery, your provider makes small incisions in easily concealable areas such as behind your ears and hairline. They can remove excess skin before pulling and tightening your skin to create a smoother appearance and enhanced definition.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
After the surgery, your medical staff bandages your face and closely monitors you in the recovery area. They may place drainage tubes to collect any excess blood or fluid from under your skin. You usually go home on the same day but should have someone else drive you.
Taking two weeks off is typical although your surgeon may recommend a different timetable. You can expect some swelling and bruising during this initial recovery period. You should generally refrain from high-impact workouts and other strenuous physical activity for four weeks.
With a healthy lifestyle, limited and protected sun exposure, and adequate skin care, you can expect your facelift’s results to last ten to fifteen years.
Book a Consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Choosing a board-certified surgeon is important when you are considering any kind of plastic surgery. Board certification is an entirely voluntary process that requires additional education and extensive expertise. When you choose a provider that has invested this time and energy into the certification, you can expect high-quality care, excellent ethics, and a rigorous savoir-faire that can yield beautiful results for long-term satisfaction.
What About Non-Surgical Facelift Alternatives?
If you are unsure whether you want to get a facelift or your surgeon recommends that you wait for a few more years, you have a lot of non-surgical anti-aging treatments available. “Liquid” facelifts also exist such as the Y lift or PDO thread lifts that leverage fillers and advanced technology to rejuvenate your face without surgery.
Common anti-aging cosmetic solutions include:
- Dermal fillers
- Botox and other neuromodulators
- Chemical peels
- Microneedling
- Dermabrasion
- Laser resurfacing
Even if you are just curious about the possibility of a facelift, your plastic surgeon can make recommendations for this specific surgery, another plastic procedure, or non-surgical options. Professional advice can make a positive difference in achieving your aesthetic goals and feeling good about yourself.
If you are considering getting a facelift, contact West Coast Plastic Surgery Center today at (805) 978-8545 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gorodisky in Oxnard, CA!