Facial Rejuvenation: Plastic Surgery and Beyond

It is no surprise that we live in a youth-oriented culture. It seems that every year the standard of beauty to which we are all exposed and aspire, gets younger and younger at the same time that Americans are growing older. Because of the emphasis in prevention and treatment of disease, the American Baby Boomers, those 50 and over, are healthier and more fit than people of the same age in previous generations. They have the stamina, energy and prowess of people half of their chronological age. This causes many "Baby Boomers" to exhibit an intense interest in procedures and techniques to help them look as young and fit as they feel. This is the point at which many Americans consider plastic surgery. Signs of aging on the face are the most common symptoms causing people to seek out plastic surgery. The four most common facial complaints are: Loose skin: The areas on the face where we see loose skin most often are the jowls, the neck and the skin around the eyes. Fine Lines: Tiny wrinkles on the face increase in number with time and are more plentiful in lighter skinned people. The most common sites are around the mouth and eyes but they can also develop anywhere on the face. These lines are made worse by the sun. Bagginess around the eyes: Loose skin is only one of the causes of bagginess around the eyes. Additionally, small fat pads around the eyes can move from the top and sides of the eye region and end up resting beneath the eyes. Shadows emphasize the problem and if there is any inherited darkening of the skin the problem becomes even more noticeable. Exaggeration of Features: As we age, some of our features continue to grow. Although the rate of growth is unperceivable year to year, eventually, over time we can see that there is an actual lengthening of our earlobes and nose. Our brow may have lowered and there is an increase of fat below the chin, and in the fold between the nose and upper lip. All of these complaints can be addressed through plastic surgery. The success, risks and benefits differ depending on the areas of the face and neck the surgery is to correct, as well as other factors such as the age of the patient and the severity of the problem. What is a facelift? The facelift is the classical surgical response to aging problems of the face and neck. In a facelift the skin is separated from the underlying tissue and pulled upwards and backwards. The excess skin is them removed resulting in a lifting and tightening of the appearance of the skin. There are varying procedures that go deeper, some as far down as the layer adjacent to the facial bones. Surgeons determine how deep to go with the procedure based on the needs of the patient, on a case by case basis. What results can you expect from a facelift?: A facelift will lift the areas of your face that are sagging, such as your cheeks and jowls. It will also tighten the loose skin on your neck as well as remove excess fat from under your chin and alleviate that "turkey neck" look. What about scarring? The scars from a facelift can be extensive, although not easily detectable. Scars will more than likely extend from above the ear, down the front of the ear, around the ear lobe, up the back of the ear, and into the hairline behind the ear. There can be another incision beneath the chin. Most scars from a facelift are hard to see once they heal. Scars can be camouflaged with make-up within three weeks and should fade beyond detection in one to three months. What complications can occur? Some of the complications that can result from a facelift are: Hematoma, Skin death; facial weakness or paralysis; attached earlobe (pixie ear) and open ear canal. What about lines and wrinkles? Although the results of a facelift and other facial plastic surgery can be dramatic the signs of aging that a facelift will not alleviate are wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Additional procedures such as Botox Cosmetic