Revitalization Through Skin Resurfacing and Facelift Surgery
Age can often take an unwanted toll on a person’s appearance, especially in the face. Muscles loosen, pockets of fat develop, and wrinkles increase. Combine this with the damage our skin accrues over the years, and it’s no wonder people look for ways to cosmetically turn back the clock.
For our patients in the Frisco and Dallas areas, we offer a variety of treatments to reduce signs of facial aging. Two such treatments, namely facelifts and laser skin resurfacing, can provide significant results when used together.
Candidates for Skin Resurfacing and Facelift Surgery
Before deciding on facial surgery, keep in mind that each treatment is limited to specific cosmetic issues and areas. For a more comprehensive transformation, multiple treatments may provide the best solution.
Good candidates for facelift surgery are men or women, usually middle-aged or older, who wish to reduce signs of aging in the middle to lower portions of the face. This is accomplished through the tightening and repositioning of muscles and skin. Because of the nature of surgery, candidates should be in good health and currently abstaining from tobacco use.
While a facelift can improve the subcutaneous musculature, it does not improve the surface of the skin itself. If you plan to undergo facelift surgery but also want to remove blemishes of the skin, you may want to also consider laser skin resurfacing. Good candidates for skin resurfacing treatment are those looking to achieve smoother, more evenly colored skin and who have little history of keloid scarring. Before undergoing either or both of these treatments, consult your doctor to better understand your individual candidacy.
Combined Benefits
By combining a facelift and skin resurfacing procedure, you can rejuvenate your face both below and above the skin. Together, the benefits of these treatments include:
- Tighter musculature: Muscles are repositioned for a tighter overall appearance, particularly around the cheeks, mouth, and jaw.
- Less fat and skin: Excess fat and skin tissue are removed or redistributed, reducing a saggy or droopy appearance. Most commonly, cheeks and jowls are elevated for a more angular, youthful look.
- Fewer wrinkles: By tightening the skin, a facelift can markedly reduce wrinkles and creases. Laser skin resurfacing further reduces lines in the skin, creating a drastically smoother appearance.
- Less discoloration: Skin blotches or spots of discoloration can be removed through resurfacing, such as those formed by sun exposure, hormones, or genetics.
- Reduced scarring: Facial scarring from any source can be improved through skin resurfacing. Patients who previously retained scars from injury, acne, or chicken pox can especially benefit from this.
Expectations after Surgery
Both facelift surgery and laser skin resurfacing require adequate recovery time before accurate results can be seen. Because each treatment takes weeks to fully heal, some patients may find it advantageous to have both performed at the same time, thus eliminating the need for a second recovery.
Immediately after facelift treatment, patients should plan to rest for at least 24 hours. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are common side effects, which should begin to subside toward the end of the first week. Within 10 to 14 days, most patients have healed enough to return to work and daily activities, while showing only slight effects of surgery.
Similarly, patients of laser skin resurfacing can expect redness and swelling after treatment. The skin will also ooze a light-yellow colored fluid as it heals; this should be addressed by gently rinsing one’s face and applying ointment as needed. Like facelift surgery, these symptoms should subside by two weeks.
As your face continues to heal over the next two to three months, redness and swelling should gradually disappear completely, revealing the full results of your treatment. With a little patience and strategically placed makeup, you will begin to see your results long before then, but remember to withhold judgment until after recovery.
You Deserve to Look Your Best
A younger, more captivating appearance is just a phone call away. Our plastic surgery office offers the best technology and techniques for your cosmetic needs, coupled with the experience and dedication of Dr. Ken Smart. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
