Bothered by wrinkles and creases on your face? Wrinkles, lines, and bags under the eyes are some of the age-related concerns experienced by many people every day. Excessive sunlight exposure, hormonal changes, and genetics can cause these issues for younger people, too.

While dieting and exercising can help rid of flab and folds on the body, neither of these work when it comes to wrinkles on the face. Wish you could have youthful skin again? If so, you may be interested in a facelift.

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, can help you get rid of unwanted lines for smoother, younger-looking skin. The facelift is the sixth most common cosmetic procedure performed in the United States.

Good Candidates

Generally, men and women below fifty years of age are good candidates. Your surgeon will advise on your candidacy based on many factors, including your health profile. You should also be a non-smoker, as this will help with faster recovery after surgery and will lower the risk of complications.

What Should I Know About the Procedure?

The facelift is a surgery performed under general anesthesia. It includes the following steps:

1. An incision is made starting from the hairline on the temple. The incision goes around the ear following the natural contour of the skin, helping to camouflage post-surgical marks. The incision ends at the lower scalp area behind the ear.
2. The skin is lifted upward and outward to create access to the tissue and muscle below the skin.
3. Excess fat is repositioned or distributed. The surgeon may also glue or suture deeper tissues. Some excess fat may also be removed.
4. Excess skin is cut away to give a firmer look. Muscle tissue may also be altered.
5. A second incision may be required to correct the jowling on the jawline.
6. The skin is sutured up, and dressings and healing gels are applied.

What Should I Expect from the Healing Process?

Recovery takes just about two to three weeks. The sutures will be removed after one week, during a follow-up appointment, while the bandages and dressings will be left in place for two to three days. Your surgeon may also use sutures that can dissolve on their own.

Although you can get back to work and normal activities within one to two weeks, heavy and strenuous exercise should be avoided until around a month has passed. Your doctor may advise you to use sunscreen or protective clothing to help you heal faster.

Results

The facelift procedure gets rid of jowling below the chin and eliminates excess sagging on the jawline. On average, the results of facelift procedure last from anywhere between four to six years and longer for some people, depending on numerous factors. Facelifts can give you skin that makes you look about 10 years younger, no matter what age you are!

Contact Us to Learn More

To schedule an appointment for a facelift consultation, contact our office today. At London Bridge Plastic Surgery, we’re happy to walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you may have.