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Combat Aging With A Facelift

By: Nick Messe


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A facelift is a plastic surgery procedure that removes fat from the face and neck and tightens the facial muscles. It can also redrape the skin of the face resulting in a more youthful appearance. What keeps our skin taut and smooth when we are young is a healthy amount of elastin which gives the skin the ability to spring back and not sag, along with collagen that keeps the skin tight. As we age, both of these proteins break down and the skin gets loose and falls prey to gravity.

If you are experiencing a fair amount of wrinkling and sagging on the face and neck, a facelift is probably the best options. Being over the age of 40 is also a consideration. The myriad of laser procedures only deal with minor wrinkling and sagging and their effects are not nearly as long lasting. They can also take several procedures to fix the problem.

Issues that make someone a good candidate for a facelift are things like sagging skin on the neck and face. The person should still have good skin elasticity. A well defined and strong bone structure is also a prerequisite. The best candidates should also in good physical health and not smoke.

Don't hesitate to bring up any concerns you have about this type of surgery at your consultation. This is the time to pepper your doctor with lots of questions. The overall condition of your skin, muscles, fat, and the bone structure in your face will be evaluated. A full medical history, including any medication you are taking will also be taken.

Like with any surgery, there are some risks. They include nerve damage, infection, a negative reaction to the anesthesia, and the possibility of poor healing, especially if you smoke. Facelifts are performed by a qualified plastic surgeon either in an outpatient center or a hospital. Normally, both local and general anesthesia are used.

There are many different versions of a facelift that involve different parts of the face. But basically, a facelift tightens saggy skin with the use of a series of small incisions hidden in the hairline above the temples. These incisions follow the natural line of the hair and also curve behind the ears and even along the lower scalp. Later on these scars will be hidden by your hair.

After the incisions are made, the surgeon may tighten the deep tissues by pulling the extra skin up and back, then trim it and stitch it into place. He may also may separate the neck tissue from the muscle and then remove the fat, and tighten the muscle.

It's hard to say exactly how long a facelift will last since it depends on the person and how they treat their skin after the surgery. Sun exposure, smoking, and genetics play a big part. However, if a facelift is done well and the patient takes good care of their skin. The good effects from the surgery should last 7 to 10 years.

When your surgery is complete, the doctor will probably temporarily place a tube under the skin behind an ear to drain any blood that could build up there. Your entire head may be wrapped with loose-fitting bandages for a couple of days. The stitches should be removed approximately a week after surgery. Don't be surprised if there is some swelling and some bruising.

Areas of numbness are also normal. Like the bruises and swelling, they will dissipate in a few weeks. There may be some minor pain. Although you may return to normal activities in about two weeks, avoid anything strenuous for a while and definitely stay out of the sun.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Nick Messe is president of Lead Frog LLC. In the Chicagoland area the Women's Institute of Cosmetic & Laser Surgery provides face lifts, liposuction, and other types of cosmetic and laser surgery. The Institute is an all female Chicago cosmetic surgery practice with medical offices throughout Chicago Land.

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