The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

When a Facelift Is the Right Choice - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

With all the new innovations in non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as Botox^® Cosmetic, soft tissue fillers like Restylane® , and laser treatments, it may be tempting to think that the facelift is just another page in cosmetic history, gone the way of the whalebone corset. But don't be fooled, cosmetic treatments are one thing, but plastic surgery can achieve results that are more significant and longer-lasting than any of the treatments, and with advancements in technique and technology, modern facelifts are as advanced as any "new hi-tech" procedure.

What a Facelift Treats

A facelift is a lifting and repositioning of the skin and musculature of the face. The constant draw of gravity on our bodies is one of the key causes of aging and is responsible for a number of unpleasant effects. Dark hollows under the eye can be caused by the movement of the fat pad of the cheek out of position, and parentheses lines around the nose and mouth are made worse by the sinking of the fat and skin above. These are all treatable with a mid-facelift. Gravity is also responsible for the development of jowls, "turkey neck," and deep banding in the neck. Jowls can be treated with a facelift, while turkey neck and neck banding are treated with a necklift.

Unmatched Results

A facelift can treat the effects of aging over a much larger area of the face than can be done with Botox^® Cosmetic or fillers, and it provides treatment at a deeper level than any non-invasive cosmetic procedure. Facelifts also provide results that last far longer than non-invasive treatments. While many non-invasive treatments give good results that last about six months to a year, the results of a facelift can last ten years.

How to Choose

For treating minor, superficial effects of aging, non-invasive treatments are an ideal way to get a small cosmetic "boost," especially for special occasions like a wedding or class reunion. But if you want long-lasting correction of some of the serious changes caused by aging, nothing provides the same level of results as a facelift or other plastic surgery.

And, in other cases, you don't have to choose. Skin treatments like laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion are ideal complements to plastic surgery like a facelift. If you want to learn more about what procedure(s) might be right for your situation, contact us at The Centre, P.C. today for an initial consultation.