FACELIFT - FOREHEAD LIFT - SKIN MANAGEMENT

As people age, the effect of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and the mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can't stop this aging process. What it can do is "set back the clock", improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations.

Facelifts are very individualised procedures. In your initial consultation the surgeon will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

A facelift may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or in hospital. We prefer to perform the surgery in hospital, under general anesthesia.

In general, the surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions; metal clips may be used on the scalp.

There isn't usually significant discomfort after surgery. Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months. If you had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Don't be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal.

The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift-especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after the swelling and bruises are gone, the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. Men may find they have to shave in new places-behind the neck and ears-where areas of beard-growing skin have been repositioned.

FOREHEAD LIFT
While no one is immune to the effects of aging, a forehead lift, also known as a browlift, can minimize some of the most visible signs-drooping eyebrows, “hooding” over the eyes, forehead furrows and frown lines that come with age. In a forehead lift, the muscles and skin that cause the problems are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the upper eyelids and minimize frown lines. The result can be a more alert, more animated, more youthful appearance. Recent advances in plastic surgery have made the forehead lift a relatively simple procedure with results that last from five to 10 years or longer. It can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures, such as face lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

Men and women of any age may be good candidates for a forhead lift. While the procedure is most commonly done on people in their forties to sixties to slow the visible effects of aging, it can also help people with inherited conditions, such as a droopy brow or furrowed lines above the nose. If you’re bald or have a receding hairline, you may still be a good candidate for a forehead lift.

If you decide to see a surgeon, he or she will first evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

If your hair is short, you may want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it’s long enough to hide the scars while they heal. A forehead lift may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. Most forehead lifts are done under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy.

A forehead lift is possible in men, but may require special planning to hide the scars. You may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon. Your doctor may tell you to keep your head elevated for two to three days following surgery to keep the swelling down. Numbness on the top of your scalp may be replaced by itching as nerves heal. These sensations may take up to six months to fully disappear. Bandages, if used, will be removed a day or two after surgery. Most stitches or clips will be removed in 10 to 14 days, or perhaps in two stages.

While you should be up and about in a day or two, plan on taking it easy for at least the first week after surgery. You should be able to shower and shampoo your hair one or two days after surgery or as soon as the bandages are removed.

While a forehead lift, like a facelift or any other surgery to minimize the effects of aging, does not stop the clock, it can minimize the appearance of aging for years. As time passes, you may want to repeat the procedure. But even if you don’t, you’ll always look better than if you never had a forehead lift at all.

 SKIN MANAGEMENT
The face is the most exposed part of the body, vulnerable to the harsh rays of the sun. The face is also subject to acne, rashes, allergic reactions, and injuries that may leave permanent scars.

“Surface-repair” treatments can enhance your appearance and give your skin a smoother, fresher look, but they won’t remove deep scars and flaws or prevent aging. These treatments should not be thought of as mini-facelifts. Generally speaking, Retin-A and glycolic acid treatments offer less dramatic results than surgical approaches like dermaplaning, dermabrasion, or chemical peel.

It is unlikely that you’ll have to spend time in the hospital for your skin treatment unless the treatment is performed in conjunction with a facelift or some other more complex procedure.

In general, Retin-A is most effective in older patients who have some fine facial wrinkles, or blotchy pigmented areas caused by sun damage. However, Retin-A is often prescribed to younger, active individuals who want to combat the aging effects of sun exposure. Patients who are planning to have a chemical peel treatment are often instructed by their doctors to use Retin-A as a preparation treatment; Retin-A thins the skin’s outer layer, allowing the acid solution used in a peel treatment to penetrate more deeply and evenly.

Glycolic or “fruity acid” treatments can offer smoother skin to people of all ages. This type of treatment seems to work best on patients who have rough, sun-damaged skin. Glycolic acids are sometimes formulated with bleaching chemicals to correct areas of uneven pigmentation.

Most people find that maintaining their new look is easier than expected. Using the cream or facial wash will become a natural part of your morning or evening routine – and the difference you’ll see will be worth the extra effort.