Facelift Myths

Myth: Facelifts that claim to take just one hour with local anesthesia and have minimal recovery time are safe and effective.

Truth: Although there are patients who have some improvement with these procedures, there are a wealth of patients across the country who have undergone these operations who are dissatisfied with the results and have experienced complications. The improvement, if any, is usually temporary. If you have significant looseness, you are better off with a natural appearing real face lift performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in an accredited operative facility. It is not how fast a procedure can be performed, but how well. Many of the “quick” procedures are performed in facilities that have no oversight or accreditation by individuals who are not appropriately fully trained in plastic surgery and may have limited experience in performing any type of facelift.

Myth: A facelift will make the face age faster

Truth: You will always look younger and better than a twin, if you undergo a facelift and the twin does not. Natural aging of the face will continue after a facelift, but is not accelerated by it.

Myth: A facelift is permanent

Truth: The results of a facelift may be considered permanent in that you will continue to look younger years later than you would have without undergoing the facelift. However, a facelift cannot stop the aging process and the face will continue to age.

The results will vary from person-to-person. Most patients can expect their results to last between eight and twelve years. The length of time that patients enjoy a satisfactory improvement after a facelift depends on many factors including the quality of their skin, which is influenced by the degree of sun damage or loss of elasticity. Smokers typically have poorer quality skin. Older patients will see an earlier return of laxity, while younger patients will see a more long-lasting improvement.

Heredity is important. If your parents aged slowly, you probably will, too. Your diet, general health, time spent in the sun, smoking, weight gains and losses, emotional traumas, and type of skin will all play a role in determining how long the improvement will last

Myth: It creates an unnatural pulled look

Truth: A facelift, performed meticulously, in the hands of a skilled, experienced, board certified plastic surgeon should not result in a pulled look. Most patients want to look like themselves, yet appear refreshed and natural. This is achieved by meticulous technique and the artistic combination of repositioning and removing the lax excess tissue and adding micro-fat grafts or fillers where the tissue is deficient.

Myth: A well performed facelift does not leave scars

Truth: All surgical procedures, including facelifts, which involve incisions, leave scars. Incisions are typically hidden in the hair and strategically placed in natural skin creases. When performed by an artistic meticulous board certified plastic surgeon, facelift incisions usually heal very well and most patients and family members will barely notice them after a few weeks. Scars continue to improve for up to a year after surgery, but never totally disappear.

Myth: Facelifts are only for women

Truth: The majority of patients who have facelifts are females, but there are an increasing number of men from all walks of life who are having facial rejuvenation. As the economy has become more challenging and the workplace more competitive, patients including males want to look fresh and vibrant. Aesthetic (Cosmetic) plastic surgery is more accepted by the general public; both female and males. The development of less invasive procedures such as fillers, Botox/ Dysport, laser, and skin care has provided an option of rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance which many males find appealing.