If you’re considering San Francisco Facelift to help you look younger, it’s important to understand the pros and cons. A consultation with your doctor is a great way to get all the necessary information. Ideally, a facelift works best on people who have skin that still has some elasticity and bone structure that is strong and well-defined.
It’s a major surgery
A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery that can reduce wrinkles and tighten sagging skin in the face and neck. This procedure can be a good option for people concerned about aging and wanting to look more youthful.
A traditional facelift combines incisions around your ears and hairline with incisions underneath your chin to remove excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles and tissues of your face and neck. It’s usually best for patients with moderate to significant sagging in the upper or lower face and neck.
Facelift surgery is typically carried out under general anesthesia, but it can be done with local anesthesia in certain less extensive procedures. Depending on the extent of your facelift, you can expect to spend between two and five hours in the operating room.
It’s expensive
The cost of a facelift varies depending on the surgeon who performs the surgery and your geographic location. It’s also affected by the type of surgery performed, and whether it is a deep plane facelift or a less-invasive nonsurgical procedure.
Surgeons who have more experience tend to charge higher fees for facelift surgery. It’s also more expensive to have a facelift done in a hospital than at a cosmetic surgery practice.
A facelift involves manipulating a group of muscles beneath the skin that control facial expressions. The most common facelift technique is an SMAS lift, which accesses the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and alters muscle.
Another facelift technique is a targeted facelift, which alters only the skin without accessing the SMAS. This less-invasive facelift technique is less expensive than the SMAS lift and may produce better results.
It’s not for everyone
A facelift is one of the most effective anti-aging procedures, but it’s not right for everyone. Some people may be better suited for a less invasive rejuvenation option, such as dermal fillers or Morpheus skin tightening.
Patients who undergo a facelift are typically looking for a refreshed, more youthful appearance. They often have signs of aging that they don’t want to see, such as sagging jowls and droopy eyebrows.
For many patients, the idea of a facelift is scary because they fear it will leave them looking like they have been “windblown.” In fact, the surgery is designed to give you a younger, more natural look – and that means no over-stretched or overly “operated” face. Instead, Dr. Rose places your incisions discreetly in your hairline and carefully closes them so scarring is hidden by your hair and facial features.
It’s not permanent
Facelift surgery can help you feel and look your best, but the results aren’t permanent. Aging, lifestyle habits, skin elasticity and other factors continue to influence the way your skin looks.
A facelift isn’t meant to be a fix-all, but it can be an effective way to improve your appearance and boost your confidence. The procedure will remove fat cells and tighten your facial muscles, so you’ll feel more youthful.
You’ll have some swelling and bruising after the procedure, but this will go away after about two weeks. You’ll also have a small tube placed under your skin behind your ear to drain any excess fluid.
Some patients do have a temporary problem after a facelift, and that’s when blood collects under the skin (hematoma). A hematoma is not dangerous, but it can cause your skin to look dull or dry. Taking care of your skin after the surgery will prevent this from happening.