After over 25 years of specializing in plastic surgery, Dr. S. Darrell Lee has encountered numerous misconceptions about facelifts. Between falsehoods about eligibility, recovery time and results, he understands how easy it is to get lost in the details.
Dr. Lee wants to provide clarity to the facelift process and help you feel confident as you move forward with treatment. He takes the time to walk you through your options while answering your most important questions.
Continue reading this blog to learn the truth behind the 5 most common misconceptions about facelift procedures. If you are ready to personalize your facelift near Palm City, schedule your consultation online or contact the Lee Plastic Surgery front desk.
Facelifts at Lee Plastic Surgery
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that turns back the hands of time by tightening the skin and facial muscles. Also known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift reduces the appearance of loose skin while restoring confidence and definition.
Facelifts can minimize the signs of aging in the upper, mid and lower portions of the face. Dr. Lee often recommends a facelift to patients who want to improve the following concerns:
- Nasolabial folds – Deep creases, or smile lines, that extend from both sides of your nose down to the corners of your mouth.
- Platysmal bands – Vertical lines that run down both sides of your neck. Also known as neck bands.
- Jowls – Sagging skin that hangs from the jaw, neck and chin areas.
- Skin laxity – Loose skin that sags or appears wrinkled. Often occurs when the skin has lost its elasticity.
Addressing the Top 5 Misconceptions About Facelifts
Determining whether a facelift near Palm City suits your needs can feel like a challenge—especially when faced with so many misconceptions. But with Dr. Lee’s extensive background in plastic surgery, Dr. Lee has the knowledge and experience needed to address your concerns.
Dr. Lee has clarified the following misconceptions to inform your procedure decision.
1. Facelifts Create Unnatural Results
Many patients express concerns about looking unnatural or “windblown” during their initial consultation. Though these fears are valid given the facelift “horror stories” you may have seen on the internet, Dr. Lee takes skilled, strategic measures to achieve natural-looking facelift results.
There are many reasons why a person’s facelift may appear inauthentic. In the past, traditional facelifts focused primarily on pulling the skin tighter, instead of lifting the skin and facial muscles. The result was often a stretched appearance that looked unnaturally tight.
A one-size-fits-all approach to facelifts can also contribute to results that look “off.” Facelifts require a considerable amount of personalization to preserve a patient’s unique features. Performing all facelifts with the same, generalized techniques can distort a person’s natural features instead of rejuvenating them.
Dr. Lee approaches each facelift with attention to detail. He takes your natural features into consideration before meticulously planning your procedure. He also chooses from a variety of lifting methods, depending on your concerns and the results you want to achieve.
2. Facelifts Are Only for Older Adults
Although most of our patients who choose to undergo a facelift near Palm City are in their 50 and 60, facelifts have no defined age limit. We often perform facelifts on patients in their 30s and 40s—especially as they notice skin laxity developing and seek a more effective, lasting solution than what noninvasive treatments can provide.
Collagen, one of the most abundant proteins in the body, plays an essential role in skin health. This protein provides the skin with structure, support and elasticity. But collagen production decreases as we get older, with initial declines beginning as early as your mid-to-late 20s.
As collagen production decreases, your skin may start to appear wrinkled, crepey or droopy. A loss of collagen also contributes to hollowing around the eyes and face.
At Lee Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lee recognizes that the right time for a facelift is not defined by age. He uses age-appropriate techniques for all facelift procedures—whether you are in your 70s or 30s.
3. Nonsurgical Treatments Can Replace a Facelift
Though Dr. Lee can perform many nonsurgical treatments to help you create a more youthful appearance, these services cannot replicate those of a facelift.
During your facelift procedure, Dr. Lee remodels the facial muscles and connective tissues before pulling the skin back and tightening it. He combines a perfected technique of SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and deep plane facelifts. This all-encompassing approach creates rejuvenated results that last for years to come.
Most aesthetic services are minimally invasive, requiring no stitches, incisions or downtime. Though these treatments are ideal for patients who want to avoid a surgical recovery, their results are less dramatic.
If you are not ready to commit to a facelift near Palm City, Dr. Lee may recommend you begin with nonsurgical services. These treatments create beautiful results and can help you determine whether you would prefer more intensive solutions like a facelift.
These nonsurgical services include:
- Dermal filler – Enhances your facial features by injecting a hyaluronic acid-based solution underneath the skin. Can replenish volume lost to the natural aging process.
- Botox – Smooths facial wrinkles using a purified form of botulinum toxin. Best for wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and neck.
- Emface – Pairs high-intensity facial electrical stimulation (HIFES) with radiofrequency (RF) energy to define facial muscles and minimize unwanted fat.
- RF microneedling – Combines RF energy with traditional microneedling to tighten loose skin. Also stimulates the body’s healing response to boost the production of collagen.
- Laser skin resurfacing – Smooths out wrinkles and other aesthetic concerns using laser technology to generate thermal energy.
4. You Have to Undergo a Full Facelift to See Meaningful Results
Full facelifts are considered the gold-standard of surgical procedures and are best suited for patients with advanced facial sagging. But many patients do not realize that there are multiple facelift variations, each tailored to treat different concerns.
During a full facelift, Dr. Lee makes a series of incisions along the hairline, under the sideburns, around the ears and extending back into the hairline. This approach helps him reposition the underlying musculofascial tissues and fat to make the face appear smoother. Though a full facelift near Palm City does achieve all-encompassing results, another facelift variation may be better suited for your individual concerns..
A mini-facelift may suit your needs if you want to reduce sagging near the cheekbones and upper jaw. This facelift variation is ideal for patients who want to address nasolabial folds without the need for a full, extensive facelift procedure.
Dr. Lee may recommend a neck lift if you are concerned about loose skin around the neck area and platysmal bands. During a neck lift, he may also use liposuction to minimize unwanted fat beneath the chin and along the jawline.
5. Recovering From a Facelift Is Painful
Fear of a long, painful recovery period deters many people from getting a facelift, but the actual timeline is more reasonable than most people realize. While you may experience slight discomfort after your facelift near Palm City, Dr. Lee provides extensive postoperative instructions to support a smooth recovery process.
Immediately after your facelift, you may experience slight swelling, bruising and numbness. These side effects typically last anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. Dr. Lee also prescribes pain medication to help mitigate any discomfort you might experience.
Be sure to avoid strenuous activities that might put undue strain on your healing tissues. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can also speed up the recovery process.
Frequent post-operative appointments help Dr. Lee monitor your healing progress. At these appointments, Dr. Lee changes your surgical dressings and evaluates your incisions. He may also provide additional recommendations to make your recovery more comfortable.
Why Choose Lee Plastic Surgery
Many plastic surgeons can perform a facelift—but working with a surgeon who tailors your procedure to your unique anatomy and goals makes all the difference. No two facelifts are alike, and Dr. Lee tailors your facelift to exceed your expectations.
During your initial consultation, you sit down with Dr. Lee to discuss your aesthetic concerns. He listens carefully and takes notes as you describe how you want to look after surgery. All of this information helps Dr. Lee personalize your procedure beyond a basic facelift approach.
Dr. Lee also has an extensive background in plastic surgery, giving him the experience needed to address your surgical goals. He has dedicated his career to helping you feel more confident in your skin—regardless of your age.
Book Your Facelift Procedure at Lee Plastic Surgery
Though navigating the details involved with planning a facelift near Palm City can feel overwhelming, Dr. Lee cuts through the guesswork and listens to your concerns. Contact the Lee Plastic Surgery front desk team to begin personalizing your facelift procedure.
If you are interested in learning about the brow lift procedure process, our blog has all the details you need to make an informed treatment decision.
