Common Misconceptions About Facelifts
Plastic surgery patients have more options than ever before to beautify and lift their face. You can choose between injections, laser treatments, minimally invasive procedures or traditional facelift surgery. When it comes to surgery, you have the option of traditional, invasive procedures or less invasive surgeries with shorter downtimes. The number of options available has perhaps led to some misconceptions, myths and confusion about facelift surgery. If you’re considering a facelift and have some concern, speaking with a facial plastic surgeon beforehand will help you separate fact from fiction – read on for our answers to some of the most common misconceptions!
Your Results Will Last Forever
A facelift will help reverse the signs of aging on your face. But the procedure won’t keep the hands of time from marching forward, nor will it permanently freeze your face in a state of youth. The results from a facelift will be long-lasting, with many patients seeing results for about a decade or so. But we can’t completely stop time – your face will continue to age after a facelift.
There are a few things you can do to make the most of the procedure. Listen to your surgeon’s instructions during recovery. Make every effort to avoid a lot of sun exposure. Wearing sunscreen all the time will help protect your skin from the aging effects of the sun’s rays. Eating a healthy diet will help you stay in good shape and keep the signs of aging from creeping back onto your face. We even have a fantastic line of serums and creams, our Z Medspa Private Label, that can help keep you hydrated and beautiful!
Your Results Will Look Unnatural
Once you’ve seen the “pulled back” look created by older, traditional facelift techniques, you know why some patients fear they will end up with a tightly pulled, permanently surprised looking face. Fortunately that unnatural look is largely a thing of the past. Older techniques relied on tightening the skin during the surgery. Today, the procedure involves cutting away extra skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles, creating a more natural look overall.
Another way to avoid an unnatural look is to avoid having too much done to your face. Dr. Zuliani & our aesthetic team can help you decide what procedure or combination of procedures will give you the most natural results.
You’ll Have to Hide for Months Afterwards
A facelift does have a longer recovery time than some other procedures, such as injections or a mini facelift. Bruising and swelling are also common after the surgery and you’ll be bandaged for a few days afterwards. While you can expect some swelling and bruising for a few weeks and most surgeons recommend taking about two weeks off from work, you won’t be shut off from society during your recovery.
Most patients find that they’re able to go out and about after 2 weeks. Many patients see friends and family well before that. As you start to heal from the surgery, your surgeon can give you pointers on using makeup to conceal any lingering bruises so that you feel confident going out in the public again.
You Won’t Need a Facelift Until You’re 60 or 70
A lot of people associate facelifts with older patients. While a 70-year-old patient who is in good health can benefit from the surgery, it’s not exclusively for the geriatric set. In many cases, having the surgery performed relatively early, in your 40s or 50s, can provide even better results.
You’ll Get the Same Results From Injections
Injections can really help when it comes to the signs of aging on your face. Botox can help ease the appearance of frown lines while fillers such as Juvederm can help with the lines and wrinkles around your nose and mouth. While injections might seem like a quick and easy alternative to surgery, they really aren’t the same thing and won’t give you the same results. Our liquid facelift is fantastic but doesn’t have the same dramatic, lasting effect of a traditional facelift.
A facelift not only reduces wrinkles, it also tightens the skin, reducing sagging and looseness. Injections don’t do that. Injections also don’t last nearly as long as the results from surgery. You might see results for a few months or up to two years after an injection.
Getting the facts about a facelift will help you decide if the procedure is right for you. Our facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Giancarlo Zuliani can help you weigh the pros and cons and sort reality from fiction when it comes to facelifts. You can find Dr. Zuliani at his beautiful practice in Bloomfield Hills. Contact us today for an appointment!
