So you eat right, stay hydrated, get plenty of exercise and sleep but your face looks tired, and you look older than you feel. You are not alone. The good news is something can be done that is safe, predictable and sustainable to make you look and feel better.
The key to success is a thoughtful facial analysis, which evaluates your bone structure, muscle activity, soft tissue volume, skin quality and the position of your forehead, brows, eyelids, cheeks and neck. A surgeon’s approach to a patient’s face is much like an engineer with a sculptor’s artistic eye. We create a “problem set” followed by a detailed treatment plan, tailored to each of our patient’s wishes and needs.
Gawley Plastic Surgery offers signature, youthful facial rejuvenation procedures (surgical & non-surgical) that will have you looking & feeling refreshed, well-rested and youthful while still looking like your natural self.
Surgical – Facelift and Necklift for a natural, long-lasting solution to the aging face
Non-Surgical – Lasers and skincare for skin restoration + injectables and Botox to add volume and smooth out wrinkles
This post discusses the surgical approach.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that restores your youthful appearance by improving visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as
Relaxation of the skin of the face causing sagging
Deepening of the fold lines between the nose and corner of the mouth
Fat that has fallen or has disappeared
Jowls developing in the cheeks and jaw
Loose skin and excess fat of the neck that can appear as a double chin or “turkey neck”
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Healthy individuals, who do not have medical conditions that impair healing, do not use nicotine, and have realistic expectations. Many think that there is an age cutoff for a surgical facelift, but there is not. As long as you are in general good health, just about anyone, at any age, could be a good candidate for this procedure. You know it’s time for a facelift when you feel younger than you look. Compared to non-surgical options like injectables, a facelift provides more significant and visible results.
WHAT IS THE CONSULTATION PROCESS?
During your facelift consultation be prepared to discuss:
Your goals
Medical conditions, drug allergies and past/current medical treatments
Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
Previous surgeries
Your surgeon will also:
Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Discuss your facelift options
Examine and evaluate your face
Take photographs
Recommend a course of treatment
Discuss likely outcomes of a facelift and any risks or potential complications
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal and you will have to weigh the potential benefits in achieving your goals with the risks and potential complications of facelift surgery. This is a shared decision that we will make together.
The surgery is performed under a general anesthetic with a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist
There is a small risk of bleeding, infection, poor wound healing and skin loss
Facial nerve injury /weakness is rare
Pain is typically minimal after this procedure and the doctors do a great deal during the surgery to minimize the discomfort afterwards
The scars are typically minimal in the long-term
HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR A FACELIFT?
Optimize your face and neck skin health with a deliberate skin care routine (we will help you with this during your consultation)
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding and bruising
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD?
For the first few days after your facelift, plan on taking it easy and having someone else around to help you. The recovery period is usually short, and stitches are typically removed after the first week. Most people feel comfortable returning to work, driving and other normal activities before the three-week mark. While most people are presentable to the public at that point, it will take 2-3 months for the face to feel “back to normal” in terms of texture, sensibility and loss of tightness. To optimize your result, you don’t want to have any major photography or television exposure for at least 6 weeks.
HOW LONG WILL FACELIFT RESULTS LAST?
Although we cannot guarantee the precise length your results will last, the effects of most facelifts typically last for years. If you’re looking for ways to prolong your facelift results, these tips are a great place to start.
Get serious about sun protection – Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of signs of aging, as UV rays break down important proteins in your skin. This can accelerate the appearance of lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, which could compromise your facelift results. Wearing sunscreen every day and avoiding deliberate tanning helps protect your skin from sun damage and the accelerated aging that UV ray exposure can cause.
Use the right skin care products – Good lifestyle habits like wearing sunscreen and eating a balanced diet are just part of maintaining your facelift results. The second half of the equation is using the right topical skin care products for your skin type and concerns. Medical-grade skin care products that contain ingredients like retinoids, peptides and antioxidants can all be great tools for brightening and smoothing the skin.
Take advantage of cosmetic treatments – Cosmetic treatments can complement your facelift results by acting as an extension of your regular daily skin care regimen. Members of our MDSkin® Club receive a complimentary monthly facial and discounts off other treatments. Laser resurfacing treatments, work by gently removing the outer layer of skin to reveal the smoother, more youthful-looking skin cells beneath, while Ultherapy can work on the deeper layers of your skin to tighten and increase turnover. Other types of skin rejuvenation treatments include photofacials and chemical peels. If you’ve just recently had a facelift, however, check with your plastic surgeon about how long you should wait before scheduling any non-surgical cosmetic treatments. You’ll need to give yourself enough time to fully heal first.
Nourish your skin from the inside out – Another important aspect of maintaining great, healthy-looking skin and prolonging your facelift results is to eat a healthful, balanced diet. Piling your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains can have a positive impact on the way your skin looks and feels while helping to stave off skin aging. Just as important as eating the right foods is limiting or eliminating the wrong foods from your diet. Dairy, peanuts, soy and gluten can all play a potentially negative role in skin health. Be sure to discuss this with your surgeon.
Gawley Plastic Surgery surgeons are Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have over 30 years of combined experience in facial aesthetics. Surgical privileges are maintained at Honor Health facilities to perform this surgery, although most commonly, it is performed at the North Scottsdale Outpatient Surgery Center (an accredited facility).