For many of us, firmer looking skin and a more youthful appearance is the goal. Yet, getting there hasn’t always been easy. Recently, we’ve heard a lot of buzz about new developments in face lift surgery and the improvements are definitely worth looking into!
Today’s latest facelift surgery techniques promise:
- Shorter Incisions & Fewer Tell-Tale Signs of Having “Work Done”
- Equal or Better Results with Less Time Spent in Surgery
- Savings on Facelift Cost (vs. Full or Complete Face Lift)
- Reduced Downtime & Quicker Recovery Times
We’ll give you the inside scoop on each of these improvements. Any one of them is worth investigating further and asking your favorite plastic surgeon about. Because, when it comes to looking good, you owe it to yourself to be in the know!
New Facelift Techniques & You
What do you really know about current trends in facelift surgery (a.k.a. rhytidectomy)?
Gone are the tight, artificial-looking face lifts of yesterday which only addressed the issue of undesirably loose or sagging skin. Today, underlying fat can be removed and muscles can be tightened for more flawless results and a more natural-looking profile.
Common problems modern-day facelifts may correct include:
- Wrinkles
- Skin Folds
- Turkey Neck
- Excess Facial Fat
- Sagging Skin & Jowls
- Weakened Facial Muscles
When combined with or complimented by a brow lift, eye lift and/or neck lift, the results can be even more stunning. No one said you can stop time from ticking. So, why knock yourself out trying? Spend that time learning about ways you can actually look younger.
Today’s options in facelift surgery make it even easier. Some of the newest facelift techniques which are known to deliver positive results include:
- SwiftLiftTM
- Lifestyle Lift®
- Short Scar Facelifts
Each is outlined below, giving you some idea of what they’re all about, what their benefits are and what risks they might pose.
New Facelift Basics: SwiftLiftTM
With a stated goal of making you look 10 years younger, a SwiftLiftTM is said to provide quick results with little downtime. A minimally invasive facelift procedure, SwiftLiftTM is also known as a MACS (or minimal access cranial suspension) Lift.
Benefits which have been attributed to SwiftLiftTM include:
- The ability to be performed under local anesthesia
- With lighter sedation, anesthesia risk may be lower than with a full facelift
- A less involved procedure, it’s less expensive than “complete” facelift surgery
- With surgical time of about one hour, it’s considered a “lunch-time” procedure
Risks associated with SwiftLiftTM may include, but are not limited to:
- Possibility of Infection
- Bruising, Swelling or Redness
- Poor Results Due to Insufficient Skin Elasticity
Recommended for healthy face lift candidates in their mid-30s and above, SwiftLiftTM has been used to tighten the skin in the lower part of the face. It’s different from a mini-lift in that the tissue beneath the skin is also tightened, providing longer-lasting results.
While returning to work immediately following a SwiftLiftTM procedure is said to be common, it’s also noted that you should wait to resume your regular routine for one or more weeks. This is, after all, a surgical procedure. Allow time for proper healing.
New Facelift Basics: Lifestyle Lift®
Touted as “an alternative to traditional facelifts”, the Lifestyle Lift® promises to take years off by tightening and firming skin to redefine the chin and jaw line. The timeframe? About as long as you’d spend lunching with friends – an hour or so.
Benefits which have been attributed to Lifestyle Lift® include:
- The ability to be performed under local anesthesia
- Said to be safer than “complete” facelift surgery since sedation is light
- Less expensive than “complete” facelift surgery with long-lasting results
- Optional, companion surgeries can help treat under-eye bags & droopy lids
Risks associated with Lifestyle Lift® may include, but are not limited to:
- Possibility of Infection
- Bruising, Swelling or Redness
- Poor Results Due to Insufficient Skin Elasticity
Both surgical and non-surgical procedures offered under the Lifestyle Lift® umbrella can be performed under local anesthesia. If multiple procedures are performed, expect to spend additional time in the doctor’s office.
While returning to work immediately following a Lifestyle Lift® procedure is said to be standard practice, it’s also noted that you should refrain from resuming your regular routine for one or more weeks.
New Facelift Basics: Short Scar Facelifts
A Short Scar facelift can be used to enhance the appearance of the mid-face. Skin, tissue and muscle are tightened and moved for maximum effect. Unlike traditional lifts, Short Scar facelifts – hence the name – rely on shorter, strategically-placed incisions.
Benefits which have been attributed to Short Scar facelifts include:
- Small hairline & front-of-ear incisions are used
- This procedure is performed using local anesthesia
- Local anesthesia poses fewer risks than general anesthesia
- Recovery times are relatively short & the risk for bleeding is reduced
- Since muscle & tissue remain intact, full recovery generally takes 1-3 weeks
Risks associated with Short Scar facelifts may include, but are not limited to:
- Hematoma
- Possibility of Infection
- Facial Nerve Damage or Injury
- Complications Associated with Anesthesia
Incisions, in this type of procedure, are more discrete. Overall, Short Scar facelifts provide a less invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery and offer long-lasting results.
A Final Word about Facelifts
Prior to scheduling treatment with any of these techniques, consult with a highly-qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon who can easily answer each of your questions. Insist on seeing facelift before and after photos of their work. Ask which option is best for you and know what to expect before, during and after facelift surgery.