Facelifts are one of the most historically misunderstood cosmetic procedures on the market. Since the popularization of facelifts in the early 1900s, public opinion often brands facelifts as a daunting procedure with a big price tag, long recovery time, and mixed results. But the misinformation sometimes outweighs the facts when it comes to facelifts. In reality, these safe procedures can change one’s life. So if you think you know about facelifts, chances are that you might be fooled by some common myths – so keep reading to find out the truth.
1. ‘Facelifts Are Only for the Rich and Famous’
Many people assume that if you’re not Kris Jenner or Jane Fonda, then a facelift isn’t right for you. However, this procedure is more accessible than you might think. While a facelift can be expensive, the cost pays off over time. The results last a lifetime, meaning that it’s an investment that will pay off forever. Those who would like to counteract the effects of aging will say openly that their rejuvenated face improves their sense of self worth to improve their confidence in social settings – something everyone deserves, not just celebrities.
2. ‘Facelifts Always Look Unnatural’
Looking at historical examples of less-than-ideal celebrity facelifts from the 1980s and 1990s, one might think that a facelift will make someone’s skin look too tight and unnatural. But a well-done facelift, Dr. Konstantin says, is one that no one will notice. When facelifts began to gain popularity in the 1980s, he continues, surgeons were more inclined to use aggressive techniques that could create an ‘over-pulled’ look. But in the modern world cutting-edge techniques result in far longer-lasting results, allowing surgeons to focus on patients looking refreshed, rejuvenated, and natural rather than attempt to prolong the life of a facelift by pulling the skin as tight as possible.
3. ‘A Facelift Isn’t Meant For Men’
A lot of men falsely believe that a facelift will “feminize” their faces, meaning that the procedure will result in more feminine facial characteristics. Dr. Konstantin explains that these days, facelifts for men are specifically tailored to preserve the more masculine features of the face. These facelifts for men often focus more on the “turkey neck” area under the chin, sagging jowls or cheeks, and deep lines and wrinkles. All of it is done in a way that avoids creating an overly-soft look that’s typically associated with female faces. This way, a good facelift can rejuvenate a patient’s features while preserving the masculine quality of the face.
4. ‘Facelifts Will Make Me a Plastic Surgery Junkie’
While commercials might sell you on the fact that you can’t just have one Lay’s potato chip, the same cannot be said for facelifts. It’s true that in the early days of facelifts, the effects were not long-lasting, and often people would have to get another facelift after just a few years. And with every facelift, the face would look more and more unnatural. Even though in the old days people were getting too many facelifts, this was due to the fact that they didn’t last. But surgical techniques have come a long way, and now, people typically have one facelift in their lifetime.
5. ‘With Facelifts, Less is More’
Often, people say that they don’t want to do go overboard when they get a facelift, so they plan to tell their plastic surgeon to pull as minimally as possible to achieve a refreshed, rejuvenated look that doesn’t appear too tight. While Dr. Konstantin says that he would agree with the sentiment that facelift should not result in an overly pulled look, not doing enough can also be an issue. When the facial tissue is pulled up only slightly and not all laxity is corrected, it may result in an unnatural look where some parts of the face are tight and others sag. This, he adds, is one of the telltale signs of an obvious facelift – something that the normal aging process wouldn’t typically cause, like a perfect jawline with sagging cheeks. Instead, surgeons will know the right amount of skin tightening needed for each individual patient, which may be very little for some and a lot for others.
From Fiction to Fact: The Right Surgeon Will Guide You
Now that you know a little bit more about facelifts, you can confidently say that they’re not just for celebrities, men can get them too, they aren’t addictive, and it’s a natural result is to be expected. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions regarding the facelift out there, fortunately many related to facial surgery techniques that are not in use any longer. However, there if you’re serious about getting a facelift, there is a lot more to learn about this procedure. And the best way to go about it is to consult with a facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facelifts.
If you’re interested in learning more about facelift or facial rejuvenation procedures, we would be happy to see you for a consultation. Please contact our Manhattan-based practice to schedule your appointment with New York’s top facial plastic surgeon and facelift expert, Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD.
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