George Burns once said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” Today, people are living longer and keeping themselves in better condition. It is no secret that we are a “visual” society-Facebook, Zoom, and Instagram. Appearance is important. Many people tell us that they just want to look as good as they feel!
Botox and fillers can help us soften the telltale signs of aging, but they can only turn back the clock so far. Skin rejuvenation creams and lotions can help us reduce skin wrinkling and improved skin tone, but they have little effect on sagging skin. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, our fat redistributes itself, our muscles become laxed, our skin becomes lax, and our bony skeleton starts to resorb. This translates into droopy, sagging skin and muscles which throws our facial features out of proportion and makes us look old and fatigued. For many women and men who experience this kind of facial laxity, facelift surgery becomes an appealing option.
Here are a few signs you can look for to determine if you are a potential candidate for a facelift:
1) Sagging Jowls
This is one of the most common reasons people seek facelift surgery. They are concerned with increased skin laxity along the jawline and at the corner of the mouth, which they feel gives them a tired and sad appearance.
2) Deep Nasolabial Folds
As we age the fibro-fatty tissue pad in our cheekbone area (malar pad) droops and, along with skin laxity, results in deepening of the crease that runs from the corner of our nose to the corner of our mouth (nasolabial fold).
3) Preferring to Pull
You smooth your skin and obtain a more pleasing, youthful contour by pulling up and back.
4) The Bands in Your Neck Become Prominent
As we age, the platysma muscle in the neck can sag and cause prominent cords or bands that run vertically from under our jaw to the base of our neck.
5) You Need Dermal Filler Frequently to Maintain Your Look
Often times, fillers can help to support sagging skin and provide a more youthful appearance. However, when it gets to the point that you need multiple syringes of fillers every 6 months to maintain the desired effect, it is likely time to consider a treatment that will provide a more significant and longer lasting improvement.
While the above are signs that you may be a good candidate for a facelift, there are indications when a facelift is not the procedure of choice for you.
If you are primarily concerned over skin wrinkling and the tone and texture of your skin, laser resurfacing or a chemical peel may be a better treatment. Surgery (facelift) takes care of “sags and bags” while a chemical peel or laser takes care of “wrinkling”. Some people are candidates for both!
If you are not in good health, you are likely not a good candidate for surgery. In addition, patients have to be realistic about what facelift surgery will achieve. While it may significantly improve one’s appearance, it will not save a failing marriage or help get that job promotion.
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