Facelift
Your face defines you. It’s how people recognize us and what makes us unique. As time goes on, the outside may not match how you feel inside. You may still feel young and full of life, but your skin may not reflect that. A facelift procedure tightens loose skin and may soften wrinkles and fold lines to restore your face’s youthful appearance.
What is a Facelift?
We celebrate aging gracefully, but we also celebrate looking graceful as you age. A facelift can help you achieve both. A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that improves signs of aging in the face. This is done through incisions around the temple and ear. All of our facelift procedures are tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. A facelift can minimize wrinkles and fold lines around the mouth and nose, and loose skin in the cheeks and necks. By tightening the skin, your face will have a lifted, more youthful appearance.
Facelift v. Cheek Lift: What’s the Difference?
At Gayoso Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, we offer lifts for every part of your body, including the face. We want to provide you with every option so you can achieve the exact results you desire. In the face area, we offer cheek and facelifts and you may be wondering what the difference is between them. We can clarify.
A facelift addresses aging skin from the cheeks down. It lifts and tightens the cheeks and the neck for a more youthful look. In comparison, a cheek lift includes the same incisions as a facelift but is shorter and doesn’t include the neck. The true difference between the two boils down to what areas you want to treat.
Your Facelift Consultation
At Gayoso Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, we believe a patient-first approach is the basis for every successful procedure. We emphasize communicating with our patients because we prioritize their needs and wants. You will need to consult with one of our providers to determine the best option.
At your consultation, you and your provider will discuss your goals, health history, current medications, and surgical history to make sure your procedure is safe for you. We understand that plastic surgery is a commitment, which is why we encourage you to ask questions at your consultation. We want you to be completely informed, so you feel comfortable and confident going forward. After you have your consultation, we can schedule you for your procedure.
Why Causes Our Skin to Become Thinner and Lose Elasticity?
Loss of Collagen
As we age, our skin becomes thinner. That is because collagen levels naturally decline. Collagen is a protein that preserves the skin’s firmness by giving it structure. Collagen amounts decrease as we age, but lifestyle and environmental factors can influence collagen loss as well. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sun damage, and certain medical conditions can also affect your collagen levels. It is possible to regain that youthful appearance with collagen injectables but to address loose skin, lifts are the most effective procedures.
Lacking Elastin
Along with collagen, we also lose the protein elastin which gives our skin the ability to bounce back. Elastin, named after its elastic quality, is the reason our skin stretches. It’s also why our lungs can expand and contract, our blood vessels can dilate, and our ligaments can stretch. Like collagen, the loss of elastin is natural and can also be exacerbated by lifestyle and environmental factors.
Facelift Procedure
We want our patients to be informed every step of the way, so we let our patients know ahead of time what exactly happens before, during, and after their facelift. Your next step is to attend your first pre-op two to four weeks before the procedure. This appointment is with a nurse who will discuss your medication, health history, and previous surgeries again to make sure there are no complications. They will also give you your pre and post-op care instructions and talk through any other information you need to know before surgery while answering any questions.
For your second pre-op, also two to four weeks before your surgery, you’ll meet with your surgeon. This is to confirm your surgical plan and address any questions or concerns. On the day of your facelift, you will meet with OR nurses who will prepare you for surgery. You’ll also meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss any past issues with anesthesia. Your surgeon will make any necessary markings and answer any last-minute questions.
Other Procedures for Your Needs
Along with your facelift, we also offer a variety of other cosmetic facial procedures to help you achieve the look you desire. If you also want to treat other wrinkles or loose skin around your face, our brow lift or eyelid surgery could help you. A brow lift addresses signs of aging from the forehead to the eyebrow, while eyelid surgery addresses aging around the eyes. If you want to combine these procedures with your facelift, you can ask your provider about your options.
We also offer non-surgical procedures along with your facelift. Injectables like fillers and Botox can help contour your face and prevent further signs of aging. When combining surgical and non-surgical procedures, both teams work together to make your procedures as safe and efficient as possible. At your consultation, you and your provider will discuss the best options to achieve your desired outcome.
Along with other surgical and non-surgical procedures, we also offer the option of a chin augmentation with your facelift. A chin augmentation uses implants to enhance or increase your chin’s size and projection to make your face more proportional. Along with a facelift, a chin augmentation can further define your face’s contours to help you achieve the look you’re after. We want to help you become the best version of yourself. If chin augmentation can help you achieve that, then you and your provider can discuss if it is right for you at your consultation.
Facelift Risks
Your safety is our priority. We take every precaution to make sure your facelift is as safe and smooth as possible. With that said, every surgery still carries risks and before you commit to yours, we want you to be aware of all the factors. At your consultation, you and your provider will discuss all risks associated with your facelift. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns and questions with your provider. They will be able to ease any concerns you may have about the procedure.
Your Facelift Recovery
Everyone recovers at a different pace, which is why we tailor your aftercare to your needs and lifestyle. A facelift generally requires one to two weeks off from work and should fully heal within six months, but your recovery period will depend on the extent of your surgery and how fast your body heals. After your facelift, your provider will recommend post-op care based on your day-to-day routine, like when you should return to work, resume physical activity, how to sleep, and more.
With proper recovery, your facelift will provide you with long-lasting, youthful-looking results. Your face will continue to age naturally, but you will look younger and refreshed than you did without it. To maintain your results, the best thing you can do for your skin is to take care of it. We recommend a daily skincare regimen and for you to always use sunscreen.
