You could argue that a facelift is one of the more commonly known types of plastic surgery. The procedure has been around for a while and a number of well-known people have had it performed. While many people have heard of facelift surgery, a lot of misinformation about the surgery still exists. Facelift myths might stem from general ignorance of the procedure or from information about the procedure that is outdated. Whether you’re considering the surgery or simply want to set the record straight, here are a few of the most common facelift myths.
Myth 1: Facelift Is a One-Size-Fits-All Surgery
The facelift one person receives will most likely not be the same facelift another patient receives. Everyone’s face is slightly different and everyone ages in a slightly different way. Your options for a facelift might include the traditional deep plane facelift, a facelift and neck lift, or an S-lift, which is a type of mini facelift.
During every facelift procedure a surgeon will tighten the skin and underlying muscle. Depending on the amount of fat a patient has, the surgery might also involve removing excess fat.
Different facelift procedures might have different types of incisions. For example, the incisions made during the S-lift are usually just in front of the ear. Incisions made during a facelift are typically made in the hairline.
Myth 2: It’s Only for Older Women
Another persistent myth about facelift surgery is that the procedure is limited to women above a certain age. Both men and women can benefit from a facelift, and the surgery is often most beneficial for younger patients. While a person in good health can enjoy the results of a facelift when he or she is in his or her 60s or 70s, the surgery can also help rejuvenate the face of a person in his or her 40s or 50s.
Ideally, a patient who is considering a facelift will have some signs of aging on his or her lower face and neck, such as wrinkles and sagginess. But, the skin should still have some elasticity to it, so that the surgeon can shape and lift it during the procedure. It’s also important for a patient to be in great health before having the surgery.
Myth 3: Everyone Will Know You’ve Had One
After your face has had time to heal from a facelift, it should look refreshed and rejuvenated. You might look considerably younger than before. But, that doesn’t mean that everyone will be able to tell that you’ve had surgery. In fact, the only people who will know that you’ve had a procedure are those you tell.
The myth that everyone will know about your facelift might come from the fact that in the early days of the procedure, patients often ended up with a pulled, windswept look. In the early days, surgeons often focused on just tightening the skin. The results weren’t very appealing for many patients. Fortunately, newer facelift techniques focus on lifting and tightening the underlying muscle and connective tissue, which creates a much more natural look.
Myth 4: Your Results Will Be Permanent
While the results from a facelift will last a lot longer than the results from a non-surgical treatment, such as a liquid facelift, it’s a myth that your results will last forever. The surgery doesn’t stop time and won’t keep your face from continuing to age. What it does do is turn back the clock several years. Depending on how your face ages, you might see results from your surgery for the next 10 years, or even more. Generally, people who have facelifts tend to look younger even years after the surgery.
You can take several steps to make sure your facelift results last as long as possible. For example, eating a healthy diet, avoiding excess sun exposure and avoiding tobacco use are a just a few ways you can help fight the signs of aging and make the most of your facelift.
Double board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Schwartz is happy to give patients the straight facts about facelifts or other facial plastic surgery procedures. If you are considering any type of facial plastic surgery in the Palm Beach, Florida area, Dr. Schwartz can answer your questions. To schedule a consultation with him and learn more about a specific surgery, call 561-228-5888 today.