While the natural process of aging affects everyone, a facelift is a surgical procedure that can take away those signs of getting older. A facelift procedure can take years off your appearance and help you look and feel younger. However, the way you take care of your face after the procedure will help determine how long you get to enjoy your beautiful results. If you are looking for information on how to prolong your results and enjoy how you look for years to come, here is some helpful information from the plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Reston, Virginia.
Putting your best face forward
A facelift or rhytidectomy is a cosmetic procedure that eliminates visible signs of aging from the neck and face area. As we get older, the skin on our face and neck breaks down due to loss of elasticity and collagen production. Fine lines and wrinkles along with loose, sagging skin begin to take over. The facial area also loses fat or volume while the skin becomes thinner changing the overall texture and density. Factors such as sun exposure, gravity, stress, fluctuating weight, and even genetics all play a role in how each person's face will age over time. A facelift is a restorative surgery that can help take years off your appearance and give you a fresh, new look.
Who would benefit most from a facelift?
With the highly skilled plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, both men and women in
the Northern Virginia area can get amazing, natural-looking results from a facelift procedure. The transformative surgery is more common for individuals in their late 40s or 50s who are looking for a more substantial option to reduce the signs of aging. Starting in the late 30s, the skin begins to change as collagen production begins to diminish. Women and men alike typically turn to noninvasive options like BOTOX or dermal fillers to get a more youthful appearance. But when all other noninvasive options have been exhausted then the surgical procedure of a facelift may be necessary to get the aesthetic results a patient needs.
Post-surgery success
Patients can typically begin to enjoy their new look in about 8-12 weeks post-op. Some swelling and bruising will appear but will start to subside even a few days after surgery. Following your plastic surgeon's guidelines is the most important part of recovery. They
are the expert on how to recover properly, so even if you feel better or want to do more, you should always follow their instructions. Also, keep up with follow-up appointments to aid in a smooth recovery and get lasting results. Your plastic surgeon needs to check up on how you are healing and progressing especially during the first few weeks after surgery.
Tips for keeping your facelift results
Patients in the Northern Virginia area can enjoy their rejuvenated look for years to come but here are some factors that can prolong your facelift results.
Find the right plastic surgeon
As with all cosmetic procedures, the plastic surgeon you choose can have a huge impact on your final results and how long they will last. Check qualifications and board certifications as well as their experience with facelift procedures. An experienced plastic surgeon who frequently performs
facelift procedures will be better suited to give you the natural-looking, beautiful results you want. The plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Northern Virginia have over 75 combined years of experience and offer the surgical care that you are looking for.
Sun exposure
Both men and women who put in time and effort to getting a facelift procedure can enjoy their results longer if they avoid sun exposure. It is common knowledge that one of the biggest reasons skin ages is due to direct sun exposure. Patients who consistently protect their skin outdoors by wearing sunscreen (50+ spf) and a hat will prolong their facelift results as well as reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of sun-related skin damage in the future.
Take care of your skin inside and out
It is a well-known fact that healthy skin is a result of healthy living. Drink
plenty of water, avoid sugar when possible, and eat a healthy diet. Also, along with wearing the right sunscreen, using the right topical products or skincare can help maintain your facelift results. Skincare products that contain retinoids or antioxidants feature elements that can brighten skin and be helpful tools especially if used on a consistent basis.
Noninvasive treatments that compliment your facelift results
Working closely with your plastic surgeon can help determine if you are ready to add in some nonsurgical treatments to maintain your facelift results. Laser resurfacing or other skin rejuvenation treatments can gently exfoliate the outer layer of facial skin to keep your face looking youthful and refreshed.
A facelift procedure can take years off your appearance by removing wrinkles and sagging skin so that you look and feel younger. The plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery can guide you
every step of the way on what you need to know before and after your facelift procedure so you can retain your amazing results for years to come. One of Northern Virginia's premier cosmetic surgery practices, they have been voted “Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice” in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC with their reputation of providing patients with life-changing results. If you are interested in a facelift procedure or want to find out more about facial rejuvenation treatments, then we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons today.
