The facelift is perhaps the most widely known procedure in plastic surgery, and this is partially due to its enduring popularity. You could say that it’s the “face” of the practice! Facelifts remain an efficient and comprehensive way to deflect some of the unfortunate effects of aging, and can have a wide reach in their application and impact on the overall appearance of the recipient. But why do facelifts remain so popular?
Why Do Facelifts Remain So Popular?
In fact, the procedure has begun to expand out of its traditional demographic into younger groups of people who seem to recognize the benefits of maintaining the health of the skin earlier in life.
The Basics Behind a Facelift
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that can diminish the negative effects of aging on the face. A rhytidectomy can help one achieve a more youthful appearance while boosting confidence and emotional well-being.
A facelift is one of plastic surgery’s most enduring and popular treatments, and has been in development as a practice for decades. By refreshing the contours of the face and reducing the sagging and lines that develop over the years, a proper facelift can leave you looking and feeling like a brand-new person.
The impacts of aging in terms of its effects on appearance can begin to appear for a number of reasons, including genetics, lifestyle habits, exposure to the elements, and stress. These are just some of the many reasons that someone might seek out this procedure.
Some of the positive benefits you can expect from a facelift include these:
- Improved facial contours and definition
- A smoother and more youthful skin texture
- Reduction in wrinkles and age lines
- Reduction of “jowls” on the chin and neck
- An overall more youthful appearance
Old vs. Young: Subtle Differences in Approach
As stated prior, facelifts have begun to become more popular with younger people, rather than simply being confined to individuals in their 50s and 60s. In fact, one study estimates that of the 6,000 individuals who received facelifts in 2019, about 34% were in their 30’s.
That being said, the approach towards having this procedure changes significantly depending on what point in life you decide to undertake it.
For someone in their 60s and 70s, they likely will decide to undergo a more dramatic procedure, with the aim being to make the individual appear significantly younger.
At times, this means attempting to shave 10-20 years off of the client’s appearance!
In contrast, a younger person would be undergoing a much more subtle operation, with a less dramatic reversal in aging. After all, someone who is only 35 years old can only go back so far in time in terms of their appearance.
Younger people can also look to mild adjustments, such as Botox or Dysport injections, to gently apply subtle anti-aging results to their appearance. This is typically thought of as a good preliminary set of procedures to go through if you aren’t feeling sure about surgery. You can consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon to find the right solution for you.
Mini-Facelifts
Another option available to people who are younger is the mini-facelift. A mini-facelift is a milder procedure that is slightly less invasive than a full facelift, and features less recovery time overall than the heavier procedure.
Mini-facelifts have begun to grow in popularity for individuals in their 40s and 50s. Patients looking for a more in-depth update to their appearance beyond just a simple Botox injection, may prove suitable for the procedure. Especially if they don’t feel the need to undergo a full facelift.
One advantage of the mini-facelift: we can perform it with just local anesthesia rather than with general anesthesia. This generally ends up proving to have less risk overall.
One disadvantage of the mini-facelift is that the results from the procedure generally do not last as long. One estimate places the duration of a mini-facelift at about 10 years, which is slightly less than that of the full facelift.
Another thing to consider: mini-facelifts do not include the full suite of facelift procedures, such as neck and eyelid surgery.
The wide variety of anti-aging procedures available to patients across the aging spectrum is one of the reasons that these procedures have maintained and gained popularity over the years.
Schedule A Consultation to See What’s Right for You
At the Leyngold Institute of Plastic Surgery, we have the full spectrum of facelift operations prepared. Every procedure, we customize for every demographic who might find themselves interested. Please visit our website if you have interest in reviewing our available procedures. In addition, we have a summary of the facelift process available on our site.