If you’re self-conscious about your aging face, you’re not alone. As summer turns into autumn, a new season brings many opportunities for us to re-evaluate our goals and identify areas we’d like to change. If you’re considering a facelift, here’s a guide to what you should know about your choices and the benefits of this long-lasting surgery.
Understanding Your Facelift Options
No two facelift patients are alike, both in terms of unique facial anatomy and surgical goals. That’s why there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to facelift surgery.
If you’re considering getting a facelift, the first thing you should know is that there are two types: a full facelift and a mini-facelift. Though both options involve the surgical removal of excess skin and the tightening of the facial muscles, a full facelift requires a longer incision and is a more extensive surgery. This type of facelift addresses the area just below the lower eyelid, the nasolabial folds, and the jaw area.
If your primary concerns are sagging and wrinkling around your mouth and jawline, but you do not have sagging in your lower eyelid area, you are a good candidate for a mini-facelift. Because a mini-facelift is less involved, we can sometimes perform it as an in-office procedure, rather than going to an outpatient surgical center.
Top 5 Benefits of Facelift Surgery
What can a facelift do for you? You may wish to consider facelift surgery if you have one or more of the following concerns.
1) You have significant skin laxity and sagging.
Younger people have plenty of the so-called “building blocks” of skin – collagen and elastin. Collagen acts like the scaffolding of your skin, while elastin is what gives it resiliency and firmness. However, as we age, our natural production of these two proteins diminishes significantly, leading to loose, drooping skin. During facelift surgery, your surgeon will remove this excess skin and tighten what remains, leaving you with a refreshed and youthful appearance.
2) You have deep facial creases and wrinkling.
Severe facial wrinkles may also result from lost collagen and elastin. By lifting the underlying tissue of the face, a facelift can lessen the look of the nasolabial folds or “parentheses lines” that form between the mouth and nose. Your skin will show fewer lines and creases as a result.
3) You have excess skin around your neck, chin, and jawline.
Excess fat and skin often accumulate around the lower face and neck area among aging people, leading to the appearance of “jowls” and an overall lack of definition along the lower jaw. By tightening lax facial tissue, a facelift can significantly improve the appearance of your lower face, while providing enhanced contour and tone to your jawline and neck area.
4) You have significantly less facial volume and muscle tone.
A lack of volume and muscle tone – particularly in the mid-face area – is another consequence of the aging process. Lifting and tightening the underlying muscles provides them with a stronger foundation, as they will no longer be stretched out. This process will create a fuller and more youthful face.
5) You always look fatigued, sad, or angry.
The combination of lax skin and deep-set wrinkles can make you look constantly tired, unhappy, or upset, even if you’re normally a cheerful person. You may be projecting a message that you are unapproachable, which could cause others to avoid you due to your perceived mood. A facelift can soften your facial expressions by smoothing wrinkles and making your face appear more uplifted. Facelift surgery can help reveal your true self by showing the world how relaxed and happy you are on the inside.
Your Next Step to Natural-Looking Facelift Results in Maryland
Performing a successful and aesthetically pleasing facelift requires experience, a high degree of skill, extreme precision, and a keen sense of aesthetics. The result should be the most natural and beautiful-looking results possible.
If you are looking for outstanding cosmetic surgeons in Baltimore or Columbia, Maryland, your next step should be to schedule a personal, private consultation at the Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery. The consultation will give you an opportunity to ask tough questions about your facelift goals and to evaluate your surgeon’s personality. Our four board-certified cosmetic surgeons are experts in their field and are committed to delivering the results our patients deserve with the ultimate levels of care and safety. Contact us today to let us design a customized facelift procedure for you.