Facelift surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, is performed much differently today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. During patient consultations, I often receive similar questions from people who want to know if this procedure is right for them. Their questions frequently reflect information they’ve heard or read about that is no longer correct given the advanced surgical techniques available for today’s facelift.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common myths about this transformative procedure:
Myth 1: Facelifts do not look natural.
Older facelift techniques primarily focused on tightening the skin, and this caused the classic “windblown” look that many celebrities were known for. At the time, tight skin meant fewer wrinkles, and that (supposedly) equated to a more youthful face.
Today, however, we understand that aging is more than skin deep. In addition to lines and wrinkles, aging also occurs beneath the skin. Collagen, fat, and bone loss all contribute to facial aging. Facelift surgery didn’t used to address these elements of youth before, but now it can.
More sophisticated surgical techniques not only tighten skin, but also impact the underlying muscle. Fat grafting can be included to address hollowing under the eyes or in the cheeks, and liposuction can remove unwanted fat around the neck or jawline. Addressing the face in a more comprehensive, holistic perspective creates a much more natural-looking result than the facelifts common years ago.
Myth 2: Facelifts are for women.
The idea that only women get plastic surgery is simply not true. Men also care about how they look and want to feel and look their best. In fact, men accounted for 1.3 million of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons®.
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, I frequently see men for facelift surgery. We work together to create a customized surgical plan that will help them look younger while retaining masculine facial features.
Other common procedures I perform for men include liposuction, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Nonsurgical options like BOTOX® Cosmetic, microdermabrasion, and laser hair removal are also popular.
Myth 3: All plastic surgeons are the same.
Just because a doctor advertises facelift surgery doesn’t mean he or she is qualified to perform your procedure. Some doctors who call themselves cosmetic surgeons may have never been trained in plastic surgery at all. A plastic surgeon, on the other hand, has had specialized training in all areas of plastic surgery, including facial plastic surgery. And facial plastic surgeons, like myself, are exclusively trained in facial surgery and therefore have more experience in head and neck procedures.
Additional factors to consider when choosing your surgeon are board-certification and professional memberships or affiliations. A doctor who is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, or the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeons means your doctor is expertly qualified. Belonging to a professional organization such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons also indicates your doctor meets very high standards of care.
Myth 4: There are better options than facelift in all cases.
There are a number of nonsurgical procedures that claim to provide you with the results of facelift surgery without the downtime and recovery. While many of these treatments can be helpful, they do not provide the same effects as facelift surgery.
Procedures like KYBELLA®, Ultherapy®, or a Thread Lift all promise to lift and sculpt the lower face and create a more youthful appearance without lengthy surgery. Unfortunately, these treatments work on a very superficial level, and the results are not as significant or long-lasting as a traditional facelift.
Other minimally invasive procedures like injectable treatments can help you look younger, but they are not a substitute for a facelift. These treatments work best as a complement to facelift surgery (for ongoing maintenance) or as a short-term solution in younger patients.
To get a better understanding of the results facelift surgery can achieve, visit our before-and-after photo gallery. You can also request a consultation online or call the office at (480) 214-9955 to set up your appointment.
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