September 11, 2017 | Facelift, Injectable Fillers
3 minute read
There’s no denying that as we age, so does our skin. And with the added factors of heredity, sun damage, and lifestyle choices, our faces take quite a beating. Crow’s feet, wrinkles around the lips, and sagging jowls are just some of the changes most people can expect to see on their faces as time ticks by, and these can bring with them a series of insecurities. It’s no surprise that facelifts are among the top five most popular cosmetic procedures performed. Facelifts surgically tighten loose skin and the underlying muscles, leaving you with a more refreshed and youthful look. However, if you have signs of aging but are just too nervous to take the surgical route, there may still be a procedure that is perfect for you.
Facelift
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is designed to address wrinkles, lines, volume loss, sagging jowls and cheeks, and excess skin in the neck and chin area. Typically, most facelift patients are in their 40s or older, with lines and creases that have already set in. Incisions are made along the hairline. Depending on the extent of the lift, the incisions may extend around the ears, and an additional incision may be placed under the chin. The skin and underlying muscles are lifted and tightened. Scarring will fade over time, and the recovery period lasts one to two weeks. Facelift surgery can be tailored to reflect what you desire for your rejuvenated facial appearance.
Facial Fat Grafting
Although commonly combined with facelift surgery, facial fat grafting is available without undergoing a full facelift. Facial fat grafting targets the areas of your face that have lost its fullness due to age. This loss causes wrinkles, thinning lips, hollow cheeks, and sunken eyes, making you appear older than you are. Facial fat grafting works by extracting fat from another part of your body—typically the abdomen—with liposuction, processing it, and then injecting it into your face to provide fullness, definition, and smooth skin. Because fat grafting is administered as an injection and does not require incisions on the face, the recovery time for facial fat grafting is less than that of a facelift. You may experience some swelling and bruising at the fat removal site.
Injectables
Injectables such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM®, and KYBELLA® are non-surgical options for addressing fines lines and wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most common of these treatments and targets crow’s feet, wrinkles between the eyebrows, forehead creases, and lip lines. JUVÉDERM® works to lessen the appearance of wrinkles by adding volume and smoothing the skin. KYBELLA® specifically targets the fat that accumulates underneath the chin by destroying and permanently removing the fat cells. Most of these injections require repeat treatments every few months to maintain results; however, they are easy treatments with little pain and no downtime. The treatments are performed in under one hour, and you can return to your daily routine immediately.
If aging has changed the appearance of your face, one of these procedures may be the perfect way to reclaim your youthful skin. Dr. Bonaldi is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience. He has performed over 15 times the national average of facelift procedures. For more information about facial rejuvenation procedures or to set up a consultation, call us at (775) 828-7400 or fill out our online contact form today.
