Your Guide to Facelifts - Facelift Costs - Facelift Before and After:
Facelifts Review - They say that 60 is the new 40; 40 is the new 30; 30 is the new 25. In today's world of medical advancements and knowledge about proper diet and exercise, people are living longer and more healthily. While 60 used to be considered "old," it has a whole new meaning today; stars like Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon, and even the 70+ year old Sophia Loren are looking great and showing us that growing old gracefully doesn't have to mean looking old - and it doesn't necessarily mean you can't get a little help. Some opt to seek that help from a skilled scalpel-wielding plastic surgeon. A facelift is a procedure that reduces the visible signs of aging in the face and neck, and today's technology makes the procedure very safe, fast, and effective. A facelift can make a tremendous difference in your appearance, and in your self-confidence and joie de vivre. Is it right for you, though? Read on and find out.
What is a Face Lift? Looking at the Face lift Procedure:
Fear and apprehension - not to mention indecision - come from a lack of knowledge, so if you've been considering a face lift, but finding any excuse to put off a final decision, learning more about the face lift procedure can help allay your worries. The first Rhytidectomy, or face lift, was performed in 1901. While modern techniques and advances have changed the way they are done, the basic concept is one that has been practiced - and perfected - for over a century. It is currently the sixth most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the world. The goal is to reshape the face's contours and sculpt them to appear younger. As you age, your face tends to become fuller at the bottom, whereas younger people's faces are more angular. Re-sculpting can help take as many as 10 years off your face.
How do they do this, and does it hurt? Everyone's face lift will be a bit different because everyone has different facial construction, skin types, and needs. This makes an initial consultation and a skilled cosmetic surgeon a must. The basic face lift procedure, however, is usually the same. After you are given local anesthesia and a sedative or are put under general anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision starting above the hairline, reaching around your earlobe, and ending in back of your ear at the hairline. A second incision will be made beneath your chin. After this, the surgeon must reposition and tighten the tissue. Next, the skin is pulled upward and any excess is trimmed; think of a turkey neck suddenly becoming smooth and firm. The incisions are closed, and the face lift procedure is complete within 2 to 4 hours. Usually, this is an outpatient procedure, though your doctor may recommend an overnight hospital stay to monitor your progress. Standard recovery time is usually 10 days to 2 weeks.
The Mini Face Lift - The mini face lift is known as the "weekend facelift" because you could undergo the procedure on Friday and be back at work on Monday. In contrast to a full facelift, the mini works to tighten the skin of the jowls and neck. After you are given a local anesthetic, an S-shaped incision is made starting from the sideburn area and extending around the ear and toward the bottom of the hairline. The surgeon tightens the tissue and removes the excess skin, much like in a true facelift. This face lift procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours, and recovery time is reduced. There are also face lift procedures that are geared towards the mid-face or brow.
What Difference Can a Face Lift Make? Face Lift Before and After Pictures:
When considering a face lift, before and after pictures can be useful, as well as helping you get a realistic idea of what you can expect. You can find before and after photos from real cosmetic surgeons at SmartPlasticSurgery.com (http://www.smartplasticsurgery.com/facelifts_ba.html), PlasticSurgery.org (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/x6134.xml?prid=22), and other sites. You can also check out actual procedures and results on YouTube. The difference a face lift makes can be dramatic.
How Much Does a Face Lift Cost?:
The cost of your face lift will depend on several factors, including the area in which you are going to have the procedure, the experience of your surgeon, and the extent of the work that will be done. In general, though, face lifts cost between $6,000 and $15,000 in the US. Many doctors allow for payment plans so make sure to inquire about this.
Should I Consider a Nonsurgical Face Lift?:
Whether you are hesitating to get a face lift because of the cost, because of potential side effects (infection, scarring, reaction to anesthesia, blood pooling under the skin, facial nerve damage, loss of hair at the incision site, some temporary facial bruising and swelling, and discomfort or pain), or because the results will not be permanent, you may want to consider a nonsurgical face lift. These are far less invasive, and usually less expensive, options. One of the most popular is Botox. These are injections of a botulism toxin, which paralyze the facial muscles to prevent the formation of new lines. This can be extremely effective and can take years off your face very quickly and with no downtime.
Another popular alternative is the thread lift or feather lift. Your surgeon begins by numbing the area of the face that you have targeted, such as the jowls. He will then insert a needle and surgical thread into your skin and, in essence, "sew" your skin and pull the thread tight. This causes the muscle and tissue to tighten as well. The benefits of the thread lift are the shorter procedure (just 30 minutes), no scarring, and a lower cost. Usually, it costs between $800 and $3,200.
Thermage is also gaining quite a following. This technique uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to heat the deeper layers of your skin while simultaneously keeping your surface skin cool and intact. Your body is prompted to begin its natural skin renewal process and form new collagen. Your skill will appear tighter and smoother, with improved tone and texture. Patients typically require only one 45-90 minute procedure, and results can last for years, depending on the patient's skin. Thermage usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000.
Is a face lift right for you? Whether you choose a traditional facelift, mini face lift, or a nonsurgical face lift option, you can turn back the clock by as much as 10 years. Considering the cost, the recovery time, and the specific procedure is important; but so is considering the impact on your self-confidence and enthusiasm for life.
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