02 Jun Why Today’s Facelifts Look So Much Better
Facelifts are one of the most requested surgeries at Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, and the techniques/procedure have consistently evolved over the years. If you are delaying a desired facelift because you remember your mom’s or grandma’s facelift in the 1990s, don’t worry. The standard approach at that time was to simply trim away excess skin and “pull” the face up (thus the windswept look). Incisions at that time left scars that were also telltale signs that you had “had something done” with an inch-long scar behind the ear. But the latest techniques are groundbreaking, all-natural looking, and can still turn back the clock by 10+ years (more if you add on eyelid lifts).
Baltimore’s WBALTV recently sat down with 72-year-old Suzanne Hallock, who got a facelift 12 years ago when she was 60. “I would recommend it to anybody,” she says. She maintains this even though, at the time, facelifts were still more aggressive than they are now. She was working in sales at the time, was vibrant, energetic, and simply wanted her exterior to match how she felt on the inside. Now, “I know how happy I am every day when I look into the mirror—it’s the me that I see myself as,” she says.
Facelifts Today
Hallock had a good experience because she opted for a facelift at a time when techniques were improving, but weren’t as streamlined as they are today. Newer techniques make facelifts safer, easier, and more natural-looking than ever before. Now, the muscles below the skin are also rearranged, and then the skin is re-draped over the face. It’s common to sculpt away some fat (via liposuction) during a facelift if need be, or perhaps restore lost volume from aging with fillers after a few weeks of healing. Overall, today’s facelifts are wholly customized for each patient.
It’s no surprise that Hallock recently opted for a second facelift, and twelve years (for those 60+) is within the average “lifespan” of a facelift. She’s now three months post-second-facelift (via the deep plane technique that leading surgeons offer) and says she can see a “huge improvement.” Plus, today’s incisions are hidden in the crevices of the ears, resulting in a “ponytail facelift” that gives the patient confidence to scoop their hair up off their neck without worrying about incisions showing.
Why Add on an Eyelid Lift?
There are two types of eyelid lifts, upper and lower. It is very common to get both, and to add them on to a facelift. Eyelid lifts are very quick, both surgically and in regards to healing. They address two distinct areas. An upper blepharoplasty trims away excess upper eyelid skin for a refreshed, youthful look. Incisions are tiny and hidden in the upper eyelid crease.
A lower blepharoplasty can address lines, wrinkles, sagging, and bags below the eyes. In some cases, it can also erase dark circles (depending on the cause of those circles). You may also need fat pockets removed, in which case there is an incision made on the inside of the lower lid (which nobody will ever see). However, if skin needs to be removed, incisions are made on the lower lashline. Sometimes this will cause lashes to temporarily fall out, but they will grow back. There is no risk of upper lashes falling out with either surgery. Eyelid lift recovery is very quick due to the great blood flow in the area and the use of very small incisions. However, redness, bruising, and swelling is common in the first 1 – 2 weeks, so plan accordingly.
If you are interested in learning more about facelifts, eyelid lifts, or both, schedule a consultation with Dr. Parson today. Oftentimes these procedures pair well with non-surgical procedures like Botox and fillers, too (which can be administered a few weeks after the surgery). Botox can prevent wrinkles from re-forming while dermal fillers give you back the volume lost over the years for an even more beautiful outcome. Get in touch to schedule your consult today by calling Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center during business hours.