Traditional Facelifts
Traditional facelifts require surgery, with incisions made in front of or behind the ears. In most cases, the cosmetic surgeon removes any areas of excess fat and then tightens the skin and muscle to smooth away wrinkles and tighten areas of sagging in the lower face and neck. The patient is typically under anesthesia throughout the procedure. A face lift is performed as an out-patient surgery, with a recovery period required.
During the next few weeks, any swelling and bruising subside, and the stitches are removed. The amount of recovery time needed varies, depending on the extent of the procedure. Any pain or discomfort can be controlled with medication. Recovery is at least 2 weeks, especially when combined with eyelid surgery or brow lift surgery. While still healing, you may be able to go out in public without drawing attention following the initial recovery.
Non-Surgical Facelifts
Many Washingtonians turn to non-surgical facelifts when they want a simple, short-term solution to the wrinkles that inevitably appear with the aging process and sun exposure. There are a number of options which may be combined or used alone to achieve the results you desire. However, such methods do not last as long, typically up to one year to 18 months, when compared with a traditional facelift. The results also cannot be as dramatic as with a true facelift, but non-surgical procedures may help delay the need for facial plastic surgery.
Injectable fillers, for example, may prove an effective short-term solution for some patients who have areas of the face that have lost volume. One example is JUVÉDERM® XC, which is a gel filler that restores hyaluronic acid in your skin, smoothing away wrinkles and fine lines. Another option, RADIESSE®, stimulates collagen production to restore skin's elasticity and strength.
Non-surgical facelifts can also be a method for extending the benefits of complementary plastic surgery procedures. BOTOX® Cosmetic, for example, can decrease the visibility of frown lines. It is injected into facial muscles between the brows to reduce vertical or horizontal wrinkles.
Choosing the Right Procedure
It's important to understand your motives and goals if you are considering between a traditional and non-surgical facelift. For more permanent results, a traditional facelift may provide a more effective solution. If you have smaller areas of concern or not ready for a face lift, a non-surgical option may prove suitable. I recommend consulting with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon to help choose the appropriate solution for you.