Sun Exposure after Facelift
The healing process following facelift surgery is critical to allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of cosmetic surgery. Certain steps should be taken, such as resting and eating a healthy diet, to ensure that you do not experience side effects or complications after surgery. At Dr. Ken Smart’s practice, serving patients in Frisco, TX, Plano, TX, and other areas of North Texas, you will be given recovery guidelines, including directions on avoiding excessive sun exposure after facelift.
Why Should Exposure to Sunlight Be Avoided after a Facelift?
Following surgery, the skin on your face will be tender and vulnerable to injury. Swelling is a common side effect of surgery, and exposure to sunlight can worsen swelling and inflammation. This is one reason why we ask patients to avoid sunlight exposure. Additional steps should be taken to address swelling as well.
Our office will provide recovery guidelines that may include tips like resting and using a cold compress for 48 to 72 hours following surgery. Excessive inflammation can lead to bleeding and delayed recovery. In extreme circumstances, large amounts of direct sunlight can even negatively affect your cosmetic results.
During your facelift, Dr. Ken Smart will take steps to minimize the appearance of scarring. Ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure can cause unhealed incision lines to darken in color. This can lead to undesirable cosmetic results. To avoid this undesirable side effect, steps should be taken to avoid direct sunlight.
Preventative Steps to Be Taken during the First Two Weeks
The first week after surgery is the most critical to ensuring that you enjoy ideal results from your facelift surgery. If possible, patients should take steps to avoid sunlight altogether. This means avoiding prolonged time outdoors. If you do step outside, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your face can protect your facelift incisions from sun exposure.
Avoiding going outdoors for two weeks isn’t practical for most people. When you do go outside, look for shade. Sitting directly in the sun, even with a wide-brimmed hat, should be avoided until Dr. Smart advises otherwise. Sunscreen will not be an option until your incisions heal.
Once your recovery guidelines allow for the application of sunscreen, the protective lotion should be applied liberally when outdoors. An SPF of at least 30 is recommended to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
During the first few months after undergoing facelift surgery, patients should:
- Avoid tanning under any circumstance
- Wear SPF 30 and over when outdoors
- Wear clothing that shields your face from harmful sunlight
- Wear glasses that offer UV protection
- Continue wearing a wide-brimmed hat while outdoors
One way to lower your risk of complications is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Smart. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and he is active in the local Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Schedule Your Facelift Today
By taking simple precautions to avoid direct sunlight exposure, you can lower your risk of complications and unwanted side effects. To make surgery accessible to everyone who chooses our practice, we offer complimentary consultations, flexible financing, and on-site surgical care for most procedures.
To schedule your facelift consultation, please contact our office online or call (972) 334-0400.
