Facelift

Why would I need a face-lift?

As you age, you’ll notice your skin begins to lose its youthful firmness, becoming thinner and starting to sag and wrinkle. This is because during the aging process your body starts to produce less collagen, a protein that’s essential for keeping your skin and underlying tissues firm and smooth.

How badly you’re affected by the signs of aging depends on a number of factors, such as:

• Exposure to the sun
• Genetics
• Poor diet
• Smoking
• Stress

A face-lift tightens your skin and the tissues that support your skin, removing wrinkles and lines and restoring the youthful appearance of your face.

Can you tell when someone has had a face-lift?

Modern plastic surgery techniques are far more sophisticated than they were in the early years of cosmetic enhancement. The incisions Dr. Smith makes are behind your hairline, so there won’t be any scars for people to notice, and the results of your surgery look natural, with no stretched, shiny skin or rigid expressions.

Is face-lift surgery safe?

Face-lifts are generally very safe, with few complications providing you use a reputable, certified plastic surgeon. However, face-lifts are surgical procedures, so it’s important that you’re aware there is a degree of risk involved.

When you attend your initial consultation with Dr. Smith, he’ll go through what the procedure entails and any associated risk factors, making sure you understand what’s involved. He also needs to make sure you’re physically fit for the surgery and that there are no psychological issues that would make it inadvisable to undergo a face-lift.

What happens during a face-lift procedure?

You receive either a general or local anesthetic for your face-lift procedure, so you don’t feel any pain during surgery. Once your anesthetic takes effect, Dr. Smith makes incisions through which he can tighten the muscles that sit beneath your skin. Once this part of the process is complete, Dr. Smith removes any excess skin to ensure a smooth and natural-looking result.

If necessary, Dr. Smith also removes fat from underneath your neck and chin, or injects facial fat into areas of your face that need extra plumpness, such as the cheeks and lips. When he’s completed the procedure, Dr. Smith stitches the incisions closed with absorbable thread.

How long does it take to recover from a face-lift?

Your face is likely to be bruised and swollen after the procedure as your body works to heal the tissues, but these effects should wear off within a couple of weeks. Once the swelling and bruising subside, you’ll see the changes in your face, but it can take up to six months to see the finished result.

To find out if a face-lift is right for you, call Rick J. Smith, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.