Here in Chicago, people want to look and feel their best all of the time. One of the best ways to revitalize your look and boost your confidence is a facelift. If you’re looking for a facelift in Chicago to turn back the clock on your aging face, let’s take a look at just three of the major benefits of this treatment.
What Exactly is a Facelift?
A facelift in Chicago is simply a surgical procedure that will help your face and perhaps your neck look younger. There are different techniques available, depending on your specific needs and desires. Other treatments are sometimes recommended to go along with a facelift in order to maximize your results. A facelift is done to reverse the visible signs of aging that can be caused by sun exposure, loss of collagen, gravity, stress, genetics, and more.
During a facelift, the fat underneath the skin is repositioned in a more youthful manner. Any excess skin is removed. A consultation is conducted prior to learn more about your goals for the treatment and to give us the opportunity to create a personalized treatment plan.
Three Major Benefits of a Facelift in Chicago
1) It Can Dramatically Tighten the Skin
One of the biggest indicators of age is loose, sagging skin. This is a problem that is very difficult to correct without surgery. The creams you can purchase at your local drugstore may make dramatic claims, but many people find themselves disappointed with their results.
During a facelift, the skin is once again pulled until it is taut. It is done skillfully and in a way that will make you look naturally younger and not “windblown,” as some people fear. You will still look like yourself, just more refreshed and youthful.
Jowls are one of the biggest complaints people have about the way their face is aging. A jowl is defined as loose, sagging skin that hangs down past the jawline. It is the type of thing you think will never happen to you until it does. During your facelift, the skin can be tightened around the lower half of your face. You end up with a defined jawline and more youthful look.
2) It Can Improve Your Facial Contours
As medical advancements have been made, the techniques used during a facelift have gotten even better. The surgery can now include repositioning the underlying facial structure, which can improve your facial contours. Lifting your cheeks is a great way to help restore lost volume and return your face to a more youthful shape. By changing the underlying structure, your results may also last longer thanks to the extra support your skin will have in its new position.
People often underestimate how much their facial contours actually age them. The “triangle of youth” refers to having a “top-heavy” face. This means the face is wide through the eyes and temples and comes down to a point at the chin. Part of this triangle is also having no hollowness of the cheeks and underneath the eyes. Once gravity and collagen loss kick in, however, this triangle gets inverted. There is less width at the eye level and more volume at the bottom of the face. A facelift can help to reduce the size of your chin and restore your cheeks, two of the biggest factors for youthful facial contours.
3) It Can Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles
When people think of what “old” looks like, they typically think of wrinkles right away. Due to the way it works, a facelift can dramatically improve the appearance of these creases in the skin. That being said, it is unlikely to completely eliminate them. For many people, this can be considered a benefit. Rather than looking like a whole different person, a facelift can help them look like a younger, more energetic, refreshed version of themselves. If wrinkles are your primary concern, other treatments may be recommended on top of or instead of a facelift.
Who is a Candidate for a Facelift?
Due to the high degree of customization available with this treatment, it is a good option for a wide variety of both men and women. If you are someone wanting to experience any of the three benefits listed above, you may be a good candidate for this surgery.
Things that will increase your odds of being considered a good fit for this surgery include being in good health, having clear and reasonable expectations, and being a non-smoker. Smokers are encouraged to quit prior to surgery and at least for the duration of their recovery because smoking has been proven to delay the healing process. Additionally, smoking is believed to age the skin, which means the results may not last as long for smokers.
The Consultation
Everyone interested in this procedure will need to have a consultation to make sure it is the proper treatment option for them. Think of your facelift in Chicago consultation as a fact-finding mission for both you and for us. You will have the opportunity to have any remaining questions answered and learn more about what to expect. We will need to learn more about your medical history and any current medications you are taking. Be prepared to talk about any allergies, skin conditions, and medical conditions. A physical examination of the face will be done as well. This gives us a better idea of your underlying bone structure and what can be accomplished through your surgery.
What Happens After the Surgery?
It will be necessary to have someone drive you home from your procedure and to ideally stay with you at first. Elevating your head is the best way to minimize certain symptoms. How long you will need to stay home from work depends largely on what your job is and how you are feeling. The most critical thing is to follow your individual aftercare instructions and to attend all follow-up appointments.
Want to make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible? Consider preparing your resting space to make sure you have everything you need. Pick a comfortable area of your home and set up your phone charger, tissues, books, magazines, TV remote, water, and anything else you think you may need often. Then, simply lay back and enjoy your time off! It is also a good idea to find some outfits that will be easy to wear at first. Shirts that button up the front are ideal so that you are not pulling articles of clothing across your face and over your head. Be sure your fridge and freezer are stocked with easy meals, and you’ll really be setting yourself up for success.
How Long Do the Results From a Facelift Last?
This is a somewhat tricky question to answer because there are so many variables involved. In ideal circumstances, your results can last for multiple years. Keep in mind that this surgery does not stop the aging process, so your body’s own timetable is a major contributor.
There is some good news, however. There are some things that you can do to help maintain your youthful new look, including:
- Protect your skin from the sun! UV rays are incredibly harmful and accelerate the aging process.
- Minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol can dehydrate you, which is damaging on your skin.
- Stay hydrated! This means using a high-quality moisturizer AND drinking plenty of water every day.
- Stick to your post-op instructions. They are designed to help you maximize your results and minimize any discomfort.
- Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Dramatic fluctuations in weight can impact your results.
- Quit smoking. As mentioned above, smoking accelerates the aging process. It does so by altering your blood flow.
- Getting non-surgical treatments is another common way people maintain their results here in the Chicago area. Chemical peels, facial fillers, laser treatments, and other options can help keep you looking younger for even longer.
Combining Your Procedure with a Neck Lift
When people are concerned about looking older, they typically focus on their face. The reality is that the neck can be just as big of a problem, if not even bigger. When combined with a neck lift, the surgery will tighten the skin of your neck and give it definition once more. This can solve problems like the dreaded “turkey neck” or even reduce the appearance of having multiple chins.
Both men and women struggle with this problem. If you find yourself wearing turtlenecks more often than you would like simply to hide your neck, consider a facelift combined with a neck tightening procedure. Tightening the sagging skin of the neck has the ability to take years, if not decades, off your look!
Other Treatments Done in Conjunction with a Facelift
Depending on your individual goals, it may be recommended that you have facial surgery in addition to another procedure. On top of a neck lift, treatments that may be done to complement your results included:
- Chin augmentation
- Brow lift
- Facial implants
- Injectable treatments
- Upper and/or lower eyelid surgery
Learn More About Facelift in Chicago
Ready to learn more about facelift in Chicago and take the next step? Reach out to aFresh® Med Spa & Plastic Surgery, here in the Chicago area, to schedule a personalized consultation. This is where we can discuss the treatment options in greater detail and determine which is the right treatment for you. If you are not happy with how old you look in the mirror, it’s time to take the first step toward a solution!
aFresh® Med Spa & Plastic Surgery is conveniently located in Glenview and proudly serves clients throughout the Chicago area. Contact our office today to set up a consultation and get started.