What Facelift Entails
A facelift is a plastic surgical procedure that seeks to give people a younger-looking facial appearance. The procedure can effectively reduce some effects of aging on the face, including folds of skin or sagging skin on the jawline and cheeks. A facelift involves the removal of excess facial skin, tightening of facial tissues, and smoothening of wrinkles. Other procedures that can be done together with a facelift for better results include a neck lift, brow lift, upper blepharoplasty, and lower blepharoplasty. There are many reasons why people get facelifts, but the most common one has to do with disguising the signs of aging. Below are some important things you should know about facelifts.
Table of Contents
How the Procedure Works
During the procedure, your plastic surgeon is going to reposition fat and tissues beneath the skin in order to:
- Tighten and lift the facial skin
- Remove the excess skin that could be causing jowls
- Smooth out the creases
What the Procedure Entails
The procedure can be varied from one case to another, depending on the desired results. But traditionally, an incision is usually made near the temples in the hairline. It then goes in front of the ear, and then down to the in front of the ear lobe before turning back to the lower scalp just behind the ears. The excess skin and fat may then be removed or redistributed while the underlying muscles are tightened. If there is the need to perform a neck lift, your plastic surgeon will make an incision just under the chin to remove the excess fat and skin.
What to Expect
After the surgery, your plastic surgeon will prescribe some pain medication. This is because, for several days after the procedure, you may experience some discomfort or pain along with bruising and swelling, which is all normal. Your doctor will direct you on post-procedure care, including when you should remove any drains or dressing and when you can go back for a follow-up appointment. To improve the results of your facelift, you may be required to moisturize your face, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and protect your face from sunburns. All in all, it is imperative for you to remember that nothing can be guaranteed when it comes to plastic surgery. Therefore, you may not get the results that you are looking for from one surgery. Sometimes, you may require subsequent procedures.
Are there any Risks
Like with other surgical procedures, facelift comes with a number of side-effects or risks. Some of them include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Anesthesia risks
- Blood clots
- Scarring
- Pain
- Hair loss where incisions have been made
- Prolonged swelling
- Failure to achieve the desired results
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that although it is not possible to stop the natural process of aging, it is possible to disguise its effects on your face through a facelift. If you are looking for a reliable plastic surgeon with experience in performing facelift procedures in San Francisco, Aesthetic Surgery Center is a great facility to visit.