In the world of facial plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments, it’s generally accepted that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to anti-aging. Botox injections might take years off of one person’s appearance, but not be the right answer for or effective on another person. A facelift can take decades off of someone’s looks, but only if that person fits the criteria for the procedure.
If you’re starting to notice the signs of aging around your lower face, and want to be proactive about treating them, you might wonder if the S-lift, also called a mini facelift, is the right option for you. Several factors can help you see if the surgery will help you get the results you want, or if you are better off exploring a different procedure altogether.
Age Somewhat Matters
It’s often said that age is just a number, but it does matter somewhat when it comes to determining if a person is a good candidate for an S-lift or not. Generally, the surgery is reserved for younger patients, usually between the ages of 30 and 50. Since the results from the procedure are typically not that dramatic, it’s important that a person not yet have very significant signs of aging on her or his face. Usually, the younger a person is, the fewer the signs of aging he or she will have.
The Mirror Test
Aside from your age, there is another way to determine if you’re a good candidate for the S-lift. The surgery is often recommended to people who don’t yet have a considerable amount of loose skin or sagging, but who do have some. You can see if you have just enough, but not too much, laxity in your skin by performing the mirror test.
Stand in front a mirror. Place two fingers on each side of your jaw, on the angle. Push straight up with the fingers, so that the skin is pulled. When you do this, there shouldn’t be any skin that bunches up by your ears and any sagging or lines you have should be reduced or smoothed out. If you do have bunching or the mirror test doesn’t smooth your lines, you might be a better candidate for a different procedure.
Your Health
Even if you’re a great candidate for the surgery in terms of the degree of aging on your face, any health issues you might have might be an issue. Before you consult with a facial plastic surgeon about a mini facelift or other procedure, see your general practitioner to make sure you are as healthy as you feel. Your doctor should check your blood pressure, blood sugar and and other blood levels to make sure things are working as they should.
If you are overweight, it might be a good idea to try to lose as much weight as possible before surgery. Carrying extra weight can increase your risk for complications during or after surgery. Losing a lot of weight after surgery can also impact the results, making the skin look looser or your face look more drawn.
Finally, some habits can affect your health and whether or not you’re candidate for surgery. Your surgeon will recommend quitting smoking about two week before the S-lift. He’ll ask you about any medications or supplements you’re taking and recommend avoiding some until after the surgery.
You Don’t Want a Major Surgery
One more way to know if the S-lift is right for you is if you want to do something about the signs of aging, but don’t want to undergo a major, full surgery, such as a full facelift, just yet. You might not have the time to take off for the recovery from a facelift or you might not have enough skin laxity to qualify for the surgery. Whatever your reason for wanting to avoid a full facelift, an S-lift can be a good alternative. It’s also a good option if you don’t think you’ll benefit from injections or want something that last a bit longer than injections.
A consultation with a facial plastic surgeon is the first step to take if you are considering any type of procedure, whether it’s an injection, more traditional procedure, or minimally invasive surgery. In West Palm Beach, Florida, Dr. Michael Schwartz, a board certified facial plastic surgeon, can help you decide which procedure is right for you or if the S-lift is the best option. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwartz, call 561-228-5888 today.