Age comes with some benefits, including wisdom and experience. However, time robs skin of its resiliency, making wrinkles and sagging skin a concern for many people. If you feel self-conscious about your aging appearance and no longer like looking at yourself in the mirror, you may be thinking about getting a facelift to turn back the clock by smoothing and tightening your skin. Is this procedure right for you? Here are 10 ways to tell.
1. You’re in good overall physical health.
The best candidates for any cosmetic surgery are people who have healthy lifestyle habits, are at or near their target weight and are nonsmokers. Being in good health before undergoing a facelift helps ensure a faster healing time with reduced risk of post-surgical complications. Healthy people also can maintain the results of their procedure longer, because eating a nutrient-rich diet is one of the secrets to youthful-looking skin.
2. You’re tired of temporary results.
From prescription-strength anti-aging skin serums to injectable treatments such as Botox and Juvéderm, there are many outstanding nonsurgical ways to maintain a youthful appearance. You may have even tried a few of these and enjoyed the way they made you look more refreshed. However, these options all share one thing in common: They only provide short-term results, which are less effective as time marches on and you continue to lose elasticity in your skin. Though facelift surgery will not stop the aging process, your results will last for years, rather than months. You won’t have to keep going back for maintenance injections several times a year.
3. You have deep creases around your mouth.
Due to factors such as genetics and lifestyle choices, everyone ages at different rates, which is why there’s no such thing as an “ideal age” for a facelift. Some people with concerns about premature aging opt to get facelift surgery when they are younger as a preventive measure. Though injectable fillers can help with less pronounced wrinkles, once the nasolabial folds that bracket your mouth or the “marionette lines” that form between your chin and the lower corners of your mouth start getting deeper, a facelift is a much more effective way to address these.
4. You have lost volume in your mid-face.
The goal of facelift surgery isn’t only to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but also to restore volume to areas that have become sunken and hollow, such as the cheeks. Dr. Sinha can accomplish this by repositioning the fad pads and lifting the facial muscles that tend to slip over time and, in doing so, making your cheeks look plumper and healthier again.
5. You’re unhappy with the appearance of your jawline and neck.
We unconsciously associate a well-defined jawline with a youthful appearance. Unfortunately, as we get older, drooping skin under the chin and along the neckline can make you look years older than you truly are. This phenomenon occurs due to the “double whammy” of gravity and lost skin elasticity. A facelift can help improve the jowls, double chin or “turkey neck” that form due to sagging skin.
6. You don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror.
When you examine your reflection, do you feel like you see your mother or father gazing back at you? While facelift surgery can’t make a 50-year-old look 25 again, it can often turn back the clock by five to 10 years. Though you will continue to age, you will always look younger than if you had chosen not to proceed with your surgery.
7. Opportunities are passing you by.
It’s an unfortunate reality that many people make snap judgments about others because of how they look. Regardless of your qualifications and years of experience, potential employers may assume you’re incapable of doing a job well because you “look too old.” If you are searching for a new romantic partner, your appearance may also be holding you back in the dating game. In either case, it can take a significant toll on your self-esteem when people discriminate against you based solely on your perceived age.
8. You always look tired or angry.
Do people often assume you are unapproachable because your face has settled into a permanent frown? Skin laxity and lost facial volume can make your cheeks look flattened or sunken and pull the corners of your mouth down into a scowl. All these factors can make you look fatigued or upset, even when you are well-rested and in a good mood. A facelift will refresh your appearance and make you feel rejuvenated inside and out.
9. You are willing and able to commit time to your recovery process.
Getting a facelift isn’t only about the surgery itself. It’s also about allowing yourself plenty of time to heal. The average recovery time for a full facelift is 10 to 14 days, during which you will need to rest and focus on following all your postsurgical instructions carefully to ensure the best results. Think of it like a “staycation” that gives you time to finally catch up on your reading list or Netflix queue.
10. You are emotionally prepared to change your appearance.
Getting a facelift is a significant decision, and there are many factors to consider. It’s understandable you may have some concerns about undergoing a cosmetic procedure. During your initial consultation, make sure you bring a list of questions to ask to help alleviate any worries and provide you with realistic expectations for your surgical outcomes. Choosing a skilled, experienced surgeon like Dr. Sinha to perform your facelift surgery will help ensure you get the most natural-looking results, without the pulled-back, “wind-tunnel” look many people associate with facelift procedures. With a successful facelift, you will look as if you just returned from a relaxing vacation.
Facelift Surgery in Atlanta
If you’ve been unhappy with your appearance for years, you may finally be ready for a facelift. Facelift surgery may not be the fountain of youth, but it’s the next best option. Dr. Sinha is one of the most celebrated and experienced surgeons in Atlanta, and now focuses his entire practice exclusively on facial procedures such as facelifts. Take the first step toward loving the way you look by reaching out to our office to schedule your facelift consultation.
