In a world of social media influencers and Photoshop, most people tend to gradually lose sight of their natural beauty. This can feel especially easy as we get older and as the hands of time age our youthful features.
But with a facelift near Jupiter Island, you can create a sculpted, refined complexion while aging with confidence. Using a variety of facelift techniques, our team can help you create a tailored approach to achieving aesthetic goals.
Continue reading to learn about how our facial features change with age and to explore your facelift options at Lee Plastic Surgery. If you feel ready to speak with a cosmetic surgery expert, visit our website or give us a call to begin turning back the clock.
How do our faces change with age?
If you have developed sagging skin, jowls, loss of jawline, and platysmal banding as you have gotten older, you are not alone—these changes are natural parts of the aging process. Though we all age differently, here are a few ways our faces age as the years pass by.
Collagen Production Decreases
Collagen, or the body’s primary protein building block, provides structural support for the skin and muscles, keeping tissues strong and helping them stretch. This protein also helps the skin replace dead cells to create a youthful complexion.
The body produces less new collagen as we age, and existing collagen breaks down at a faster rate. Middle-aged women experience the largest collagen decrease, losing 30% of their skin’s collagen in the 5 years following menopause.
Certain lifestyle factors can also slow down collagen production over the years, including:
- Sun exposure without proper protection
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Lack of sleep
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Environmental pollution
This decrease in collagen production affects the skin’s structural integrity, causing it to look thinner and crepey. You may also develop fine lines and deep-set wrinkles as your skin loses its elasticity.
Facial Fat Changes
Fuller cheeks and a rounder face shape are common youthful features, but as we get older, shifting facial fat can influence our profile’s structure.
During our younger years, fat is evenly distributed throughout our face, with some pockets that plump the forehead, temples, cheeks and mouth. But as we get older, our facial fat loses volume, clumps up and shifts downwards to create a saggy or droopy appearance.
At the same time, other parts of the face gain fat. These changes primarily affect the lower half of the face, creating baggy jowls around the chin and neck areas.
What is a facelift?
A facelift cosmetic procedure diminishes common signs of aging by repositioning and removing excess facial skin, fat and muscle. Technically known as a “rhytidectomy,” a facelift near Jupiter Island also smooths skin folds along the cheeks and jawlines.
Most patients choose to undergo a facelift to target the following concerns:
- Sagging skin
- Deep folds between the nose and corners of the mouth
- Disproportionate facial fat
- Jowls
- Double chin
What are the different facelift variations?
At Lee Plastic Surgery, we tailor our facelift procedures to each patient’s unique needs. Here is a brief overview of the facelift variations Dr. S. Darrell Lee can perform.
Full Facelift
Best suited for patients wanting to improve moderate-to-significant facial aging, a full facelift near Jupiter Island creates a youthful profile by targeting each section of the face.
Full facelifts involve incisions made around the ears, under the sideburns and extending back into the hairline. During this procedure, Dr. Lee separates the skin from the underlying tissues, tightening the muscles and other facial support structures. Depending on the specific patient’s procedure plan, he may also remove excess fat from the submental area.
To finish off a full facelift procedure, Dr. Lee drapes the skin back over the face before removing any excess left over.
Mini Facelift
As an efficient and less-invasive procedure, mini facelifts target and lift only the lower portions of the face. Mini facelifts often require a shorter recovery period and use smaller incisions than a traditional facelift.
During a mini facelift procedure, Dr. Lee makes incisions along the hairline and in front of each ear. These openings allow him to tighten the skin around the cheekbones and down to the jawline.
Our experts may recommend a mini facelift near Jupiter Island to younger patients wanting to reduce the signs of facial aging, primarily those in their mid-30s to late-40s. This includes patients with moderate facial sagging.
Neck Lift
If you are most concerned about excess skin and fat around the jawline, a neck lift can help you define a stronger face shape. This procedure also targets platysmal bands, or the vertical lines that form down the sides of your neck.
A neck lift makes incisions in front of the earlobe and curving behind the ear to pull excess skin back towards your hairline. Dr. Lee may also use another incision underneath the chin to eliminate submental fat using liposuction.
After removing the pockets of excess fat, Dr. Lee reattaches the platysmal muscles to sculpt a more defined chin. We may also recommend Kybella injections to further shape this area.
How to Determine If a Facelift Is Right for You
Scheduling a consultation with our team of medical professionals can help you decide if a facelift near Jupiter Island is right for your age, skin condition and cosmetic goals.
During your initial consultation, one of our providers gets to know you and listens carefully as you describe the areas you want to refine with a facelift procedure. Your provider uses this conversation to create realistic expectations around the results a facelift can give you.
Be sure to notify your provider of your medical history, medications you take, and any other cosmetic procedures you have undergone. We also encourage you to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have throughout your appointment.
If your provider decides that a facelift can help you elevate your profile, you work together to create your customized procedure plan. This plan outlines your specific facelift variation and what you can expect from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Facelift Questions
Here are additional details to inform your decision about undergoing a facelift near Jupiter Island.
How long is the recovery period after a facelift?
The recovery period after a facelift typically lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Dr. Lee recommends patients take at least a week off from work to rest and let everything heal.
After your procedure, you may have bandages around your face and small drainage tubes inserted into your incisions. Dr. Lee removes these small cannulas the day after your procedure. We also give you instructions on how to properly care for your incision sites, as well as a prescription for pain medication.
We recommend keeping your head elevated and using a cold compress to reduce swelling during your first few days of recovery. You also need to avoid strenuous exercise, since overexerting yourself can strain healing tissues.
Your provider can provide more information regarding the facelift recovery process during your initial consultation.
Are facelifts permanent?
Though considered a permanent procedure, facelifts cannot stop the natural aging process. Because aging continues after surgery, many patients choose to undergo additional facelift procedures every 7 to 10 years.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with a facelift?
Like most cosmetic procedures, facelifts have some associated side effects. After your facelift, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Mild-to-moderate pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Numbness
Am I a good candidate for a facelift?
The best patients for a facelift near Jupiter Island are those who want to address the signs of facial aging but are otherwise in good health. This includes patients with deep creases, sagging skin around the cheeks, and a double chin. Having good skin elasticity and a strong bone structure can also provide a strong foundation for facelift results.
We recommend avoiding a facelift if you have uncontrolled diabetes or a bleeding disorder. These conditions can increase your risk of developing complications. Dr. Lee cannot perform a facelift on patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You should have realistic expectations before entering your facelift procedure. While a facelift can significantly rejuvenate your appearance, it cannot completely restructure your facial features. A facelift also cannot stop or reverse the aging process.
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
At Lee Plastic Surgery, we help patients create the most confident versions of themselves. Whether you want to tighten loose skin, carve a sharper jawline or give your appearance a youthful refresh, a facelift near Jupiter Island can help you reverse the effects of time.
Aesthetic excellence starts here. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your initial consultation.
If you are interested in learning more about facials or complementary procedures, like a brow lift, head over to our blog for the details you need to make an informed treatment decision.
