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According to statistics, facelifts made the list of the top five cosmetic procedures in the U.S. for 2016. A facelift, also known by the medical term “rhytidectomy,” is a surgical procedure that tightens skin, reduces wrinkles and gives the face a more youthful, contoured appearance. Many men and women seek facelifts in their forties and fifties, wanting to look young because they still feel young on the inside. Besides looking old, sagging, wrinkled skin can make us look tired, haggard and unhealthy, which in turn, can cause issues with getting a new job or making new relationships.
Most people choose to seek out non-surgical treatment for wrinkles before deciding on surgery. Botox, a common wrinkle reducer, was the top non-invasive treatment in 2016, with approximately 7 million people signing up to receive these facial injections. Botox and other dermal fillers can help with the reduction of wrinkles, but it cannot completely remove deep-set wrinkles and excessively loose skin from the face. Botox is also not a permanent solution. Those who begin Botox treatments must continue to receive injections every three to six months if they want to maintain their appearance. A facelift will remove wrinkles and remove excess skin for a look that is long-lasting, without the need for touch ups.
So, what makes you a good candidate for a facelift?
You Are Healthy
Your overall health plays an important role in your candidacy for a facelift. If you have medical conditions that inhibit your body from healing properly, or you smoke, then a facelift may not be the right step for you. You have to remember that a facelift is a surgical procedure, so anesthesia is used during the procedure and there will be an incision made along the hairline. Your surgeon will need to know of any adverse reactions to general anesthesia that you have had and anything that may make it difficult for your incision to heal. If you have bad habits like smoking, now is the time to break them. Maintaining your health after your procedure is just as important as it is before. Smoking increases wrinkles, which can impact your results both now and in the future.
You Have Deep Wrinkles and Sagging Skin
If you have fine lines around the eyes and between the eyebrows, Botox is a good alternative. The face is divided into three sections. The upper portion of the face will not be affected by a facelift. If your main problem area is the eyes or forehead, your surgeon may suggest blepharoplasty (an eyelid lift) to tighten muscles and remove excess skin or dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles and undereye circles. If your problem areas are located on the lower two-thirds of your face, then a facelift is the answer. Deep wrinkles around the corners of the mouth or loose skin around the jaw line are indicators that you would be a good candidate for a facelift. If your loose skin extends to the neck, your surgeon may suggest adding a necklift along with your facelift to give you a more slender, contoured appearance.
You Have Good Skin Elasticity
What does it mean for your skin to have good elasticity? Imagine a rubber band being stretched. When you let go, it returns to its normal size, right? Well that is what you want for your skin. When it is stretched or contracted, you want it to be able to return to its normal shape. When we are young, our skin has an abundance of a good protein called elastin. As we age, our skin loses some of the elastin, which causes it to sag. While a facelift will stretch the skin to remove the sagging, if you do not have enough elasticity, your face will look unnatural and “worked on.” The good news is you can improve your skin’s elasticity. Your surgeon will provide you with ideas for increasing the elasticity during your consultation if needed.
*The key to a successful facelift candidate is someone who knows that a facelift can make them look younger, but it will not make them look different. You will still look like you, just a younger version of you. *
Whether you are looking for Botox, dermal fillers or you are ready for a facelift, we can help! Our surgeons will assist you in figuring out which of these procedures is right for you. You can schedule a consultation with any of our board-certified surgeons today!