As we age, the effects of gravity and collagen loss result in sagging, creases, and loss of definition. You can restore a more youthful appearance with a facelift, giving you smoother, tighter skin. This customizable procedure rejuvenates your features for results that can last a decade or more.
What is a Facelift?
While non-surgical procedures can go a long way toward managing signs of aging as they develop, significant skin laxity requires a surgical procedure to correct. A facelift is a customizable procedure that uses small, hidden incisions to lift and tighten the skin. As a result, lines, wrinkles, and even deep creases become smoother, and your facial features become more defined.
How is a Facelift Performed?
During a facelift, your LPS surgeon lifts the skin and may tighten the Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS) layer of muscles and connective tissue underneath. As a result, your face looks naturally younger instead of just tighter. Surgery usually happens under general anesthesia in our accredited outpatient surgical suite. The procedure typically takes four to six hours to complete.
How Long Does a Facelift Last?
A facelift can remove excess skin and undo the effects of gravity on your facial features. However, it cannot stop the aging process. Most people love their facelift results for at least five to ten years. Whether you choose to have a revision procedure after this time depends on whether you want to refresh your results. Compared to not having a facelift at all, you can expect to look younger for many years.
Should I Have a Traditional Facelift or Liquid Facelift?
Not everyone feels like they need a surgical procedure yet, but you may still have concerns about lines, wrinkles, and loss of facial definition. A liquid facelift uses wrinkle smoothers such as Botox® and dermal fillers such as Juvederm® to erase lines and wrinkles, add volume to areas like the cheeks, and plump up deep creases.
Results of a liquid facelift will not achieve the same improvements as a facelift, and results will last several months to a year. A liquid facelift makes a good option for people who do not have a significant amount of sagging or skin laxity.
What is Recovery Like From a Facelift?
Your surgeon will instruct you on your recovery process. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to heal without pushing yourself too hard. Many people can return to work within ten days to two weeks. Most swelling and bruising have resolved within about three weeks. Residual swelling may take several months to fade, so your results will continue to improve.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
While most facelift candidates are in their 40s to 60s, the procedure also works for people in their 70s or older. You may be a good candidate if you are in good health and have reasonable expectations about what a facelift can achieve. Ideal candidates have significant loose skin but maintain good skin elasticity, do not smoke cigarettes, and have blood pressure that is well controlled.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about facelifts? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction