Rejuvenate Yourself With A Facelift
Scientifically known as rhytidectomy, a facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to create a more youthful appearance in the face. By removing excess skin from the face, it helps to shape the lower half of your face.
A facelift is excellent in getting rid of extreme fat and skin that often hangs loosely in the neck and under the chin, and deep creases around the nose and mouth. It is also used in tightening flabby, hanging skin surrounding the jawline, commonly referred to as jowls.
Ideal Candidates
A facelift is a highly individualized surgery. Only do it for yourself but not to fit into an ideal social image or to please someone else. Generally, to be a good candidate for a facelift, you must be:
- A healthy individual without any underlying medical condition that impairs healing
- A non-smoker
- A person with realistic expectations about the surgery and a positive outlook on life
The Facelift Procedure
Facelift surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. It may involve sedatives and local anesthesia or general anesthesia, and your doctor will choose the best option for you.
Choices in the procedure include a traditional facelift, a neck lift, or a limited-incision facelift. The exact technique your doctor will use during the surgery depends on several factors such as your personal goals and anatomy, the extent of the facelift, and whether or not the doctor will perform another procedure simultaneously.
In a traditional facelift, the surgeon makes a cut in front of the ear that extends into the hairline or hair and behind the ear up into the hair-producing scalp.
The surgeon lifts the skin from the deep facial fat and muscles, pulls the skin gently in a posterior and upward direction, and chops off the excess skin. They may then tauten the deeper facial tissues.
The surgeon may make a small cut or incision under the chin to tighten the neck’s deeper tissue and skin, and this technique is known as the neck lift.
The doctor then closes the lacerations with stitches. They may place a drain under the skin at the back of the ear for a couple of days to drain any excess fluids and blood. Finally, they apply bandages.
Recovery After a Facelift
You may experience some disquiet, but you can relieve the tenderness using medication. On the second day, you will encounter swelling and marring, and these may persist for a few days. Often, healing takes about two weeks, and you can resume intense activity after four weeks. Your doctor will remove the stitches after about 5 to 10 days after a facelift. Remember to keep the bandages and incisions dry and follow your doctor’s instructions about washing and bathing to enhance the healing process.
Results
Although it takes about 10 to 14 days for most people to be presentable to the public, it may take two to three months for your face to get back to normal in terms of sensitivity and texture, and loss of tightness.
A facelift is an excellent treatment for eliminating wrinkles, loose skin, and excess fat from the face and neck caused by age-related changes. Remember, before deciding to undergo the operation, seek the guidance of a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.
