The decision to get a facelift should not be taken lightly. You should ponder the pros and cons of the procedure while evaluating the idea. This will allow you to make the best decision for your unique situation.
Pro: Reverse the Effects of Aging
A facelift can do beautiful things for your appearance and skin. Unlike topical treatments that mask the signs of aging, a facelift can reverse some of these symptoms by restoring facial tissue to a position where it was years ago. It addresses the structural issues that cause facial tissue to weaken, sag, and produce loose skin and wrinkles.
Con: Facial Bleeding
Even though it is minimally invasive, a facelift can cause skin necrosis, bleeding, and infections. If these issues are not addressed promptly, they could impact the result of the procedure. Thankfully, in most cases, these adverse side effects are temporary.
Pro: Regain a Defined Jawline
Jowls and loose neck skin are some of the most commonly mentioned negative side effects of aging. Jowls and excess neck skin make a person look old and haggard. During a surgical facelift, features like the jowls and jawline are sculpted and redefined, giving a person youthful facial contours that you cannot achieve through noninvasive or topical procedures.
Many patients are experiencing the defined jawline associated with a ponytail facelift. This unique facelift procedure combines several small techniques to enhance the patient’s appearance. It leaves minimal to no scarring, allowing a person to wear their hair up in a ponytail without noticeable scarring.
Con: Nerve Injuries
A common side effect that people experience post-facelift is nerve injuries. The facial nerve anatomy is very complicated. Although every effort is taken to protect the facial nerves during a facelift procedure, neurological dysfunctions post-operation, including loss of sensation, happen. Thankfully, in most cases, these side effects are temporary and disappear as the patient recovers from the procedure.
Pro: Enjoy a Younger Version of Yourself
A facelift gives you a younger version of yourself. If you have been dealing with loose skin on your face for several years, you will be surprised to have a new beginning when you see yourself in the mirror after surgery. A facelift can leave a person looking up to 10 years younger. A facelift does not make you look like a new person when done correctly. Instead, it makes you look like the best version of yourself.
Con: Downtime for Recovery
Modern facelift procedures are less invasive than their predecessors. However, it is still a major surgery that requires significant downtime and recovery. Your face will be bruised and swollen for between two and three weeks. It can take up to six months for your face to completely heal. A person looking for immediate results from a facelift may be disappointed by the recovery time.
Pro: Long-Lasting Results
Facelifts provide beautiful and natural results that can last up to a decade. This means that you will look younger than your actual age for ten years after the surgery. For most people, being able to turn back the clock on their appearance by a decade makes a facelift more than worth it.
Con: It Does Not Make You Look like Another Person
Some people expect a facelift to change their appearance completely. That’s not what the procedure does. It will make you look younger. If that is your end goal, this is a pro. However, if you think that a facelift will change the way you look dramatically, then this may not be the correct procedure for you.
Pro: Look Less Stressed
During a facelift procedure, the surgeon will tighten your facial muscles. This will make you look less stressed. Gone will be the perpetual tired and tense look. You will be able to express on the outside how happy and relaxed you feel on the inside.
For many people, a facelift gives them a boost of self-esteem. This added confidence translates into other aspects of their life. When a person looks younger, other people look at them differently. This also produces a self-esteem boost.
Carefully Evaluate If a Facelift Is Right for You
As with all medical procedures, a facelift has its pros and cons. It’s up to you to do your due diligence, do your research, and talk to your surgeon about the procedure. That way, you increase the chances that you will be happy with your facelift and your more youthful appearance.
