Pros and Cons of a Facelift

Basic Process

There are multiple surgical techniques but the basic process of a facelift, is to minimize any sagging / aging defects, with or without tightening of the tissues underneath the top layer, and to re-drape the skin on the facial muscles. Surgical facelifts are typically performed under anesthesia and require a period of recovery.

To Be or Not to Be

When Hamlet despondently contemplated the alternatives to his plight and whether “to be or not to be”, he probably did not have to think of the consequences. However, when taking a decision to have a facelift, there are many pros and cons to be considered and that is a decision which cannot be taken on a whimsy.  Boning up on what lies ahead of such a decision and also arming oneself with ample knowledge and awareness of the procedure is necessary.

Several options are available but simultaneously several factors will also have to be considered prior to undergoing any aesthetically oriented cosmetic treatment.

1. The first factor to be considered would be whether to have a surgical procedure or a non-surgical procedure. (Refer Blog on Facelifts, for the month of January 2014, wherein types of non-surgical facelifts have been discussed in detail).
2. A surgical procedure provides a restorative or corrective result which could include beautification and reconstruction.
3. There are 3 main non-surgical facelifts that are performed to remove wrinkles and to rejuvenate your skin. They are carried out by generating heat, by way of lasers and with the use of liquid injections. Thermage employs heat to generate the growth of collagen in the sensitive connective tissue layers of the skin, to tighten and firm the loose skin. The laser procedure pulses light onto the problematic spots on the skin to tighten the outer layer of the skin and the dermal fillers or injectable liquids, inflate and slightly lift the layer of skin, filling out the hollows or sunken parts of the skin. All three methods of treatments are non-invasive.
4. Having decided to have a facelift, while making a choice between a traditional invasive surgical procedure and that of a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure, remember that the results will vary depending on the procedure. Like if opting for a surgical procedure be aware that there will be some minimal scarring but this will be tucked away and not in plain sight. However there will be some swelling and bruising immediately after the surgery which will disappear in about 3 weeks.
5. That was the con; the pro being the benefits of a face lift that will last for 10 years or more and what is more, it will allow you to look 10-15 years younger than you actually are. Of course, though the aging process will not stand still and will continue to progress it can be countered by taking proper care of your skin, to retain the glow of youth, for a very long time.
6. One of the pros of opting for a non-surgical procedure is that it is non-invasive, requires very little downtime or none at all. The other advantage being no anesthesia is required and psychologically you need not be under any trepidation of having a knife against your skin. This treatment option is good for reducing wrinkles and generally good for younger people trying to ward off the aging process, and who wish to put off the surgical procedure. It is a less expensive procedure than the surgical procedure.
7. On the downside, a non-invasive procedure will not have the dramatic effects as that of a surgical procedure. The results are short-term and the procedure has to be oft repeated.