Do You Really “Just” Need a Facelift?

Do You Really “Just” Need a Facelift? | Dr. Shaun Parson, Scottsdale

Do You Really “Just” Need a Facelift?

A facelift is one of the first facial anti-aging procedures many people consider. It is also one of the most-requested procedures at Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, but in reality a singular plastic surgery is rarely the best solution for a patient. Although the term “facelift” might suggest that it addresses laxity on the entire face, that is not the case. A facelift and mini lift strictly fix skin sagging and signs of aging on the lower half of the face and neck. In fact, the vast majority of full facelifts inherently include a necklift! A facelift does not address the upper half of the face, which includes the area around the eyes and the brow. If you really want a full facial lift, that will typically require adding on a lower blepharoplasty, upper blepharoplasty, and in some cases a brow lift.

There are various techniques and approaches to a facelift. Today’s facelifts are worlds apart from the “windswept look” of facelifts in the 1990s (which was caused by strictly removing excess skin and ignoring tissues below the skin’s surface). Today’s leading facelift techniques restructure not only the skin, but also the underlying tissues, all with incisions that are artfully hidden in the crevices of the ear or well within the hairline. This yields an outcome that is striking yet natural-looking with no telltale signs of scarring. A full facelift can help someone look 10+ years younger—but don’t forget about the eyes. They always give away the age.

Combining Treatments: Facelift + Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is the technical term for an eyelid lift and you can get this procedure on the lower lids, upper, or both. Usually, the lower eyelid area is where we first see signs of aging and sun damage with bags, laxity and wrinkles, and fat pockets. In fact, pockets of unwanted fat (the bad kind of volume) often call for fat removal during a lower bleph. There are some clients who only require fat removal and smoothing, and in these cases an incision can be made inside the eyelid so nobody will ever see it. While volume below the eyelids is necessary for a youthful look, as we get older the fat can become uneven and form bags. Your surgeon may recommend both fat removal and dermal fillers to achieve the best results.

In many cases, a combination of fat removal and removal of excess skin below the eyelids may be necessary. When this is the case, an incision is made right alongside the lower lashline. This makes it very easy to hide, and the area around the eyes is renowned for healing very well and quickly thanks to fantastic blood flow. You will need sutures when extra skin is removed, but these either are self-dissolving or will be removed by your surgeon within one week of surgery. Bruising and swelling are to be expected, but this subsides quickly. Most of the recovery from blepharoplasty is “social recovery,” especially if you want to keep your procedure discrete. However, most patients feel confident going back to their daily lives about 7 – 10 days after their surgery.

An upper blepharoplasty addresses skin and eyelid sagging of the upper eyelids. The technical term for this is “ptosis.” If you notice your eyelids “disappearing” or starting to sag under your lashline, you might be a good candidate for an upper blepharoplasty. This procedure can help you look not only younger, but also happier, less tired, and overall brighter. Sagging upper lids can be a combination of both skin laxity and the levator muscles being worn out due to time or trauma. The incision for this surgery is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid. The upper lids tend to heal even quicker than the lower lids, but again you will have sutures that will need to dissolve or be removed before you feel fully confident going out and about.

Why Combination Surgery is Ideal

Whenever possible, it is always a great idea to combine surgeries. This allows you to also combine your downtime and recovery period while minimizing general anesthesia time. In most cases, if a person is a good candidate for a facelift, they will also benefit from at least one blepharoplasty. The skin around the eyes is one of the first areas that ages due to high mobility, thin skin, and our tendency to not properly apply and reapply sunscreen in this area.

If you are thinking about a facelift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Parson today to map out a plan to turn back the clock. Connect with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center today by calling the office or, for the fastest reply, complete the online contact form now.