Plastic Surgery Face Lifts

Time, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces. Deep creases appear beside the mouth, the jawline slackens, and folds and fat deposits appear on the neck. Face lifts counteract these problems by removing fat and tightening skin and muscles, giving your face a fresher, youthful look. After surgery, some patients appear 10 to 15 years younger. Somerset Plastic Surgery offers various cosmetic surgery procedures to help improve function or aesthetics, depending on your goals. 

What To Know About Face Lifts

When plastic surgeons perform face lifts, they make small incisions to help lift deeper facial tissues. They may also reposition underlying fat or remove excess skin. The procedure can be combined with a browlift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping for more dramatic results, or it is restricted to the neck if the patient’s problems center there. 

Incisions are made in inconspicuous places such as behind the hairline and in natural folds of the face and ears, and scars fade to near invisibility in time. Results of a face lift do not last forever, but in another sense, the effects are permanent; years later, your face will continue to look better than if you had never had the procedure. A well-performed face lift offers a refreshed appearance, and proper care will allow you to enjoy the results for years to come. 

Ideal Candidates for Face Lifts

There are several signs that indicate someone would be a good candidate for a face lift. Good overall health is key; patients should be free from certain medical conditions and be a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery to encourage better healing. A plastic surgeon also evaluates the following features:

• Jowls
• Neck laxity
• Deep folds
• Poor jawline definition

Someone with these signs may benefit from the increased skin tightening that a face lift will provide. Skin elasticity also plays a role in whether or not you should get cosmetic surgery; proper elasticity will allow the tissues to redrape smoothly after the lifting procedure. The plastic surgeon will discuss each of these elements with you before recommending a solution. They help set realistic expectations about what plastic surgery is able to achieve.

Face Lift Surgery Recovery Process

Healing after plastic surgery is a gradual process; it is key to understand what to expect so that you are able to plan accordingly. Immediately after surgery, your face may feel tight. Light bruising also occurs around the cheeks and neck. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, the plastic surgeon may add a drainage tube to prevent fluid buildup. Prescription medications help with any temporary discomfort you feel. Keep your head elevated when sleeping to help with swelling and avoid strenuous activities.

Several days after the procedure, a few symptoms that often occur include swelling, tightness, and fatigue as your body heals. You can move around the house, but get help from friends or family members with activities like cleaning or childcare. This will allow you to focus fully on rest and healing. Keep incisions clean and dry; this will help prevent infections. Protecting your healing skin from sun exposure by wearing a hat, using sunscreen, or avoiding UV rays is also beneficial. The final results of your procedure will take time to show as tissues settle, so be patient with your body and the healing process. During follow-up appointments with your surgeon, ask questions about pain levels, healing, or any concerning symptoms you may be experiencing.

Combination Procedures for Comprehensive Results

Because aging often is not limited to just one area, plastic surgery face lift procedures can be combined with other treatments for more comprehensive results. A few options include a blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, or browplasty. Your plastic surgeon will be able to create harmonious results that balance all of your facial features at once. Leaving one area alone may make the aging in that part of your face more noticeable; a comprehensive approach verifies that your entire face looks refreshed and rejuvenated. Cosmetic surgery procedures are also able to be combined with less-invasive solutions like Botox and Juvéderm. These solutions do not replace plastic surgery, but they help complement and preserve surgical improvements. H2: Learn More About Face Lift Surgery

The team at Somerset Plastic Surgery provides a range of cosmetic procedures tailored to your aesthetic and functional goals. Face lifts offer a long-lasting solution for individuals who want a more defined jaw or smoothened wrinkles. Along with face lifts, our team also offers breast augmentations, breast reductions, body lifts, and so much more. Whether you want to address a congenital defect or issues from trauma, aging, or pregnancy, we will help you find the right solution. Request an appointment with our plastic surgery team today.