What a Facelift Can Do for You

A facelift is probably a controversial issue because it is the surgical procedure that produces the most noticeable results. Most of your acquaintances know how you looked like before so any changes in your look after surgery will most often be commented upon either positively or negatively. Before you decide to have a facelift, you therefore nee to be informed about what it can do for you or to you.

What It Is

A facelift procedure is also known as rhytidectomy. It is used to reduce the loose skin and wrinkles on the face that may have been caused by age, sun damage, weight loss and genetic predisposition. The end result should be a tightened, firm and contoured overall facial look. In some cases, a facelift may be paired with other cosmetic medical procedures that include neck lift, liposuction, forehead lift and eyelid surgery.

Who Can Have It

During your initial consultation, your doctor will first gather information about your general medical history. You will also be asked about what you want to be improved about your face. The facelift procedure and risks will then be explained to you as well as what you can expect after surgery. Your fitness to undergo a facelift will be assessed by the doctor based on this initial interview or other additional successive interviews.

You are fit to have a facelift if you are physically and psychologically fit and if you clearly have realistic expectations about this surgical procedure. You should preferably be a non-smoker and should have excellent skin elasticity. Inelastic skin may result in poor healing and an overall bad result.

The Procedure

There are now many different ways to perform a facelift or position incisions based on your individual condition as determined by the surgeon. The most basic way however is to make an incision above the ear and around the earlobe and then into the hair. The skin will then be lifted, pulled, trimmed, tightened and then stitched or clipped in place.

Complications and Recovery

As a surgical procedure rhytidectomy can pose some serious risks. Some possible complications include bleeding, infections, nerve injury and tissue damage. As for common side effects, expect some swelling, bruising and pain for a few days or weeks. The scar too will not disappear completely but can only look less obvious and be hidden by a good hairstyle or some make up.

What to Expect with New Look

Individual conditions, factors and surgeons’ skills differ. Not everyone can therefore have the exact same facelift results and experience. You only have to look at numerous before and after celebrity or non celebrity pictures to understand that some people look okay but some look worse than before they had a facelift. You may expect to look a little better after a facelift but not necessarily more glamorous or beautiful.

It is important for you to know too that a rhytidectomy cannot improve your skin quality or texture. An uncombined procedure may also not help you with sagging eyebrows and excess eyelid fats and skin.