A face lift can allow you to enjoy a younger look for many years, turning back the hands of time and offering much greater longevity than injectables and other temporary solutions. At Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX, we can provide exceptional results courtesy of the skill and experience of Dr. Sandy Sule. Dr. Sule is double-board certified and specializes in surgeries on the neck, scalp, nose, eyes, and face.
Is a Face Lift Permanent?
When you invest in a procedure like a face lift, you want to know that it will be worth it. You must have realistic expectations, of course, which means understanding that a face lift can’t make you look like you did in your teens! A realistic outlook also understands that nothing can ultimately stop the course of aging: our faces continue to age even after a procedure like this one.
However, a lift can make a tremendous difference that makes you look years younger than you are, and the results last much longer than with any less invasive treatment. This can be considered a semi-permanent solution to your aging issues. You can reasonably expect your results to last at least a decade, and, depending on how you care for yourself and your genetics, you could experience results that last 20 years.
An Aging Timeline
For the first year after your surgery, you’ll notice that your skin is tighter. The underlying tissues and the muscles will be lifted and tightened, which makes you look more like you did when you were younger. If you’ve had a full face lift, you’ll notice a profound effect across the entire face. If you had a lift that focused only on the lower face and neck, that’s where your results will be most dramatic. In all cases, our goal is a natural look that also looks rested and youthful and not dramatically like you’ve “had work done.”
You should notice no significant difference even up to the five-year mark. After that point, some people choose to occasionally get some fillers or Botox to keep their look exactly the same. Many others won’t find that necessary at all. A lot of this has to do with genetics and the speed at which your skin responds to aging changes. Some of it will also be affected by your personal skincare routine. By eating well, staying hydrated, and taking good care of your skin, you can preserve your results for longer. With a great skincare routine and some occasional, non-invasive top-up treatments, it’s not unusual for a person to find they are still satisfied with their looks 15 years after treatment.
Tips for Extending Your Results
One of the biggest things that will influence your results is your genetics. If your parents and grandparents showed the signs of aging earlier than normal, there’s a good chance you will too, and that’s also a good sign that your skin will show signs of aging more quickly after your face lift, too. However, you can do some things to affect how long your results last. Eating well, staying hydrated, avoiding nicotine, and limiting how much alcohol you consume will all make a real difference.
You can also protect your skin by keeping out of the sun: sun damage is one of the biggest contributors to aging and speeds up the whole process, even if your genetics are otherwise predisposed to keep you looking young. Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you go outside, and even consider wearing a hat if you’ll be out in the sun for a while.
About the Procedure
This procedure can be done in a few different ways, and it will be personalized for you, taking into account the goals you hope to achieve, what you’ve discussed with Dr. Sule, and the precise shape of your face. The general process involves first making incisions right around the ears or behind the hairline so that if there is any minor scarring, it will be hidden. Then, the skin will be gently pulled to improve sagging and smooth out any wrinkles.
If you struggle with deposits of fat that cause you to have a “jowly” appearance, then liposuction can be used at this point to remove some of that fat. When skin, fat, and muscles have all been addressed, the surgeon will put in sutures that will be removed about two weeks later. We’ll bandage your face to secure the area and protect the stitches.
Aftercare
After any surgery, you can expect to feel tired, which is partly the result of the anesthesia and partly the response of your body. Your body wants you to rest so you can heal quickly, and you should listen to this impulse. Plan to have someone with you for the first few days, and be sure to arrange for someone to care for kids or pets if you have them. Resist the temptation to get up and do things around the house. Instead, look at this time as a well-deserved break, and take advantage of it!
Rest with your head up, take the medications prescribed, and drink plenty of water as you read books, binge-watch your favorite shows, or just catch up on a lifetime of missed naps. Most people are fully recovered in just a few weeks, but your personal timeline will depend on your unique physiology. You’ll check in with us regularly so we can make sure everything is progressing on schedule.
Can This Procedure Be Combined With Other Procedures?
If Dr. Sule agrees that it’s safe to do so, you can often combine a full lift with other procedures. The most common addition is some lipo around the face and neck to remove stubborn fat that isn’t addressed by the lift itself. Some people benefit from having an eyelid lift at the same time as a more comprehensive lift, to open up their eye area.
A neck lift can also be helpful if you’re experiencing signs of aging throughout your face and neck. This can ensure you have a balanced look from face to neck. The key is to talk to us in consultation. We’ll have a look at your issues, listen to your goals and concern, and let you know what’s best to address them.
When Can I Get Non-Invasive Treatments Again?
If you regularly have dermal fillers or Botox, or if facials and chemical peels are a part of your skincare routine, it’s important to think about when you can do these again. All these treatments are excellent ways to extend the results of your lift and give you a lasting youthful look. But it is also important to be completely healed from surgery before you get any other treatments or injections.
Be sure to talk to Dr. Sule about the ideal timeline based on your response to your procedures. He will let you know when you can go back to your full beauty routine. It’s also a good idea to ask Dr. Sule about any other treatments that are recommended to help you enhance and improve your results.
The Key to Best Results
Whenever you get surgery, you want a great surgeon to work on you. And when you get plastic surgery, it isn’t enough that the surgeon just be qualified generally. He or she must also have that “eye” that ensures they will give you results that look natural and that you’ll be happy with for many years.
Dr. Sule graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University and cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. After medical school, Dr. Sule did six more years of exclusive head and neck-focused surgical training. He is also an expert in head and neck disease and completed a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under Daniel E. Rousso, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Get the Look You Want for Yourself
If the signs of aging are bothering you, you can turn back the clock and decide for yourself how old you’re going to look. Set up a consultation with Dr. Sule at Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX today and find out if a lift is the right choice for you.