When people think plastic surgery, they usually think of two procedures: breast augmentation and facelifts. While breast jobs are the most popular, facelifts have changes dramatically over the last ten or fifteen years. Advances in medicine, technique, and minimally-invasive procedures have literally revolutionized the industry. Twenty years ago, a facelift consisted primarily of simply tightening the skin around the existing structures. What has changed and what sort of options do patients have in the 21st Century? There are a quite a lot these days. Here are a few options you might consider for your new facelift:
- Traditional Facelift: this is a great option for healthy candidates looking to make a long lasting and more permanent change. Unlike twenty or thirty years ago, facelifts today not only tighten but also removes excess skin laxity and fat from the underlying facial structure. The muscles are also restructured leaving a smoother, younger look. It can also be accomplished with a neck lift to remove any excess waddle around the lower half of the neck. The drawback to a traditional facelift is a long recovery time, which can take months for the final results to show.
- Weekend Lift: the so-called “weekend lift” is a less complex procedure that has less dramatic effects. It is designed to simply remove excess fat, sag, and wrinkles. The upside to a Weekend Lift is a much shorter recovery time and usually less expensive. While this option is not as involved or long-lasting as a traditional facelift, it is a great option for people who want a facial rejuvenation in a short time period.
- Minimally-Invasive: this option usually involves very little or no incisions at all. This option is designed for a very fast turnaround, generally hours, and can involve injectable transdermal fillers such as Botox, Juvederm, or Restylane. The minimally invasive technique removes fine lines and wrinkles for several months and is a terrific option for those on a very tight budget or people who want some light work before a wedding or reunion.