As men and women age, the skin becomes more relaxed, wrinkles form, and age spots begin to appear. A great skin care routine, one that includes daily use of sunscreen and moisturizers, can delay these signs of aging. But inevitably our age catches up with all of us. Some people find that the aging process affects their overall sense of well being; these patients may be interested in pursuing facial cosmetic surgery or professional skin care treatments. At our San Francisco plastic surgery practice, we offer procedures such as facelift and laser skin resurfacing. These treatments produce excellent results in patients that have developed skin laxity along the jaw line, wrinkling in the lower half of the face, and sun damage.
Facelift Surgery
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 98 percent of facelift procedures were performed on patients that are age 40 and older in 2010.
- Age 40-54: 36,533 procedures, 32 percent of total procedures
- 55 and Up: 74,382 procedures, 66 percent of total procedures
What it Targets: Loose, wrinkled skin in the lower half of the face
The Procedure: The facelift procedure involves the creation of an incision just above the patient’s hairline. Next, the skin is separated from underlying tissue and the facial muscles are tightened. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the skin is re-draped to produce a smooth contour. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures and loose bandages are applied to protect the face.
Recovery and Results: We advise our San Francisco facelift patients to take medication in the days after surgery to help manage pain; they should also rest with their heads in an elevated position to reduce swelling. Patients are able to return to most normal activities about 10 days after surgery, though it will take a few weeks to heal completely.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 81 percent of laser skin resurfacing procedures were performed on patients that are age 40 and older in 2010.
- 40-54: 172,681 procedures, 40 percent of total procedures
- 55 and Up: 176,184 procedures, 41 percent of total procedures
The laser skin resurfacing procedure complements facelift and other facial plastic surgery procedures. While a facelift targets loose skin and deep wrinkles by lifting up and tightening the skin, the resurfacing procedure is designed to improve the appearance of the skin itself. When patients undergo facelift surgery and laser skin resurfacing in combination, they experience a significant improvement in skin tone and complexion, in addition to a reduction in skin laxity and facial wrinkling.
What it Targets: Fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne scars,
The Procedure: During treatment, the superficial layers of skin are vaporized and removed. As the patient sheds the outer layers of skin, collagen and new skin cells develop. The result is smoother and healthier looking skin.
Recovery and Results: Typically, it takes at least a couple of weeks for patients to recover from the laser skin resurfacing procedure. After treatment, patients often experience facial redness and swelling, in addition to some discomfort.
To find out if you are a good candidate for facelift surgery in combination with laser skin resurfacing, contact the practice of Kimberly Henry, MD, today.
