You want a youthful, rejuvenated appearance, but when you look in the mirror, you see sagging skin that is adding years to your face. While many age-related concerns can be addressed with non-surgical treatments, a facelift may be necessary to reach your goals. Dr. Ortiz, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Raleigh, is sharing the concerns a facelift addresses and whether or not it’s right for you.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that is performed to correct lost volume and sagging skin around the cheeks and jawline. Traditionally, small incisions are made from the temple to the bottom of the scalp, allowing Dr. Ortiz to resculpt and redistribute fat, lift the deeper tissues and muscles, and reposition tissue around the bottom two-thirds of the face. When that is completed, the skin is smoothed and lifted, with excess skin removed to create a smoother, firmer appearance.
A mini-facelift is also an option for people seeking a less invasive procedure with less dramatic results. With this procedure, small incisions are made around the ear, allowing Dr. Ortiz to gently tighten and lift the skin.
3 Signs a Facelift Is Right for You
If you would like to reclaim a more youthful appearance, and you’re not sure if a facelift is right for you, consider these three signs that it may be the right option.
Sagging Is Your Primary Concern
A facelift does not address fine lines, wrinkles, or skin texture, and is designed specifically to minimize or eliminate sagging around the cheeks and jawline. If you are also concerned about the appearance of your neck or sagging around your brow line and eyes, a facelift can often be performed in conjunction with a neck lift or brow lift.
Your Skin Is in Good Condition
Having healthy skin that is free of serious damage caused by smoking or UV rays is imperative to having a successful facelift. During your consultation, Dr. Ortiz will assess the condition of your skin to determine if a facelift is safe and can be performed successfully.
It’s also important to quit smoking or using products with nicotine for at least 6 weeks before and a 6 weeks after your procedure to minimize any complications during the healing process.
You Can Take Proper Time to Heal
A facelift is a very safe, commonly performed procedure, but it still requires time to heal and rest. We recommend taking around two weeks off work so that much of the swelling and bruising will be gone, though exercising and strenuous activity should be delayed for a longer period of time.
Schedule a Facelift Consultation with Dr. Ortiz Today
If you feel a facelift is right for you to help you feel more attractive and confident, we can help. During your consultation, Dr. Ortiz will walk you through whether it’s the right choice for you and what you can expect from the outcome. To learn more, reach out to us by calling our North Raleigh plastic surgery center at 919-532-2270 or sending us a message using our online contact form below.