Trust. Experience. Results.
Trust. Experience. Results.
4/18/2019
As time clicks on and we age, our skin becomes thinner and we lose the natural supple look of our youth. Add in years of sun exposure, weight loss, and other life events that can cause lines, wrinkles, and facial sag, and there may come a day when you look in the mirror and decide you are ready to take action. If you feel self-conscious about your aging complexion and it’s affecting your confidence, facelift surgery may be your answer.
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic facial surgery that thousands of people in the Northern, VA area get every year. It can tighten your facial structures, smooth wrinkles and lines, and if performed by an experienced, plastic surgeon, can give you the natural, youthful results you desire.
You've probably heard this word many times on TV about celebrities or maybe in passing with friends, but did you know countless everyday, regular men and women get this procedure done too? In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 200,000 people had a facelift in 2017. Facelifts are more common than you think, but you may not always notice them because in most cases they are not as dramatic as you would assume. The term "facelift" is used to describe any technique a plastic surgeon uses to lift the facial skin, remove excess skin, and tighten the underlying muscles and tissues of the delicate facial structure to provide a more youthful look.
Depending on your age, lifestyle, and the condition of your skin, there are a number of facelifts to choose from. For example, someone who is in their late 60s and is ready to turn back the hands of time may need a full facelift, and in some cases additional treatments right along with it, such as a brow lift. But, if you are younger and simply want a subtle lift to your midface, you might opt for a mini facelift and possibly additional help with BOTOX or a filler injection.
There are a number of options and a specific treatment that is right for you!
A traditional facelift is when the surgeon makes an incision from the earlobes to the hairline or sometimes behind the ear and gently pulls the skin upward and backward to make it tighter. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face, lifts the corners of the mouth, and makes the skin look tauter. This facelift is a bit more invasive than others and addresses the underlying tissue and muscles associated with the facial structure. As a result, the patient will appear younger and fresher looking and facial sag, lines, and wrinkles will be greatly diminished.
An upper facelift targets the around the eyes, eyebrow, and eyelid region. An upper facelift typically blends several techniques include a brow lift/forehead lift with blepharoplasty. BOTOX can be used to help create a smoother look and reduce the appearance of Crow’s feet too. This combination approach gives the entire upper region of the face a younger, smoother, more alert appearance.
A mini or “mid” facelift address the mid-face. It is a subtle, less invasive technique that restores a youthful appearance to the mid-face by lifting the cheeks. This helps to smooth out laugh lines and drooping jowls. It can improve the contour of the cheeks and also address other issues such as puffiness under the eyes. This surgery is reserved for men and women who may be middle age, or who are not ready nor do they need to have a full facelift. Similar to any facelift surgery, it can be combined with a nonsurgical procedure, such as fillers, to help compliment the results.
As people age, many people may start to experience hanging or loose skin underneath their chins and within the neck area. This makes the person look older and gives the appearance of having a double chin or in some cases, a “turkey neck”. If this is your main concern, a neck lift can dramatically improve this area. It removes excess skin in the neck and under the chin and tightens the muscle structure for a stronger profile and smoother neck appearance. It has been said that this particular facial lift can create the most dramatic results for patients.
Regardless if you are in your 50s, 60s, or 70s--there is a facelift option for you. You may only need one type of facelift surgery, or a combination. During your private consultation, a treatment plan will be created to address the issues on your face and neck that bother you most. In addition, many Northern Virginia men and women begin their anti-aging journey with nonsurgical methods such as BOTOX, injectable fillers, or laser treatments. There is an answer to help you age gracefully through every decade.
A facelift of any kind is a specialized facial cosmetic surgery. It requires the skill, experience, and attention-to-detail from a Northern Virginia plastic surgeon. Finding a surgeon who performs many facelifts each year is important. The consultation may be one of the most important aspects of the process as you get to know your surgeon, explain your cosmetic goals and concerns, and collaborate on which approach will be best for you. Your surgeon will be able to show you before-and-after photos and will likely have a number of patient reviews for you to read. Do your diligence! Most facelift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia and take approximately 2 - 5 hours depending on the complexity of the surgery. This is an outpatient procedure with varying recovery times, but most patients begin to feel and look normal within 2 -4 weeks after surgery. Patients throughout the Northern Virginia area love the results a facelift can give them, offering a youthful appearance that can then be managed over time with easier “touch-up” treatments to keep the skin looking fresh and glowing. A facelift is an effective way to take years off your face and give you back the confidence that you desire. If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about facelift surgery and which one may be right for you, we invite you to call Austin-Weston Cosmetic Surgery in Reston, VA today to learn how you can turn back the hands of time and get the younger look you desire.
Our four, board-certified plastic surgeons have over 100 years of combined experience & work together in our dedicated, luxurious center providing combined knowledge on all procedures. Schedule your consultation today to learn how our surgeons can guide you on your journey to aesthetic harmony.
