5 Facelift Myths You Believe

Thomas P. Sterry, MD
Facelift before and after photo

You Have Seen Many Facelifts But Only Noticed The Bad Ones.

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that reduces signs of aging in the face, resulting in a more youthful and renewed appearance. Some of the issues that a facelift can address or correct include:

  • Loose facial skin
  • Wrinkles
  • Sunken cheeks
  • Sagging neck
  • Slackened jawline (jowls)

Unfortunately, photos of bad facelifts (particularly celebrity facelifts) fool many people into thinking that the procedure will leave them looking “stretched” or otherwise unnatural. People reason that if a big star who can afford to have anyone Here are some of the most common facelift myths you believe, and the truth behind them.

Facelift Myth #1 – They Look Unnatural

This is one of the most common myths surrounding facelifts. Tight skin, puffy lips, and odd-looking cheeks often come to mind, but this is not the reality, at least not if your cosmetic surgeon is any good.
A bad facelift can certainly look unnatural, but facelifts performed by an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon are not only natural looking but also take years off of your appearance. I recently heard about the best plastic surgeons in orange county, who is worth taking a look at. With modern facelift procedures performed by a pro, most people will notice that you look better but will have no idea why.

natural looking facelift

A Facelift should make people look good, but NATURAL, not artificial or like a completely different person

To get an idea of how natural and youthful your face can appear after a facelift, take a look at these actual before and after photos.

Facelift Myth #2 – It Takes a Long Time to Recover

Because a facelift is a surgical procedure, there is always going to be some recovery time involved. That said, even a full facelift will require only 1-2 weeks of recovery time. Other less invasive procedures, such as a Thread Lift, will have you back to work in a day or two. To get a good idea of some of the facelift procedures available along with their recovery times and other information, check out the Facelift Comparison Chart on my website.

Facelift Myth #3 – They are Permanent

Like any procedure, a facelift cannot stop the aging process. How long the effects of your facelift will last depends on what type of procedure you get along with some other factors, including:

  • Nutrition
  • Tobacco & alcohol use
  • Weight changes
  • Sun exposure
  • Genetics

However, a recent study published by the US National Library of Medicine determined that the majority of facelift results were still “well corrected” after 5 ½ years, and that facelifts offer significant long-term results. While a facelift will not actually stop the aging process, it will make you look better for your age and help you feel refreshed and more youthful for years to come.

Facelift Myth #4 – They are Only for Women

The ability to look younger and feel rejuvenated through facelifts and other aesthetic procedures isn’t reserved just for women. In fact, Business Insider recently reported that male plastic surgery procedures are on the rise, with liposuction, breast reduction and facial surgery (including facelifts) leading the way.

male neck lift photos before and after

Male Face Lifts Are on The Rise

Facelift Myth #5 – They are Only Performed Later in Life

It is commonly believed that you have to wait until later in life to get a facelift, but in fact instant facelift results are even more noticeable in middle age. This is true in part because a facelift in your late 40s or 50’s requires less skin to be removed than one performed in your 60s or 70s, producing even more natural and subtle results. Of course, we’ve already established that the results won’t last forever, so you might need to augment the procedures on down the line, but that’s true at any age.
If you are considering a facelift or other aesthetic procedure but have let common misconceptions hold you back, talk to a cosmetic surgeon and get answers to your questions. As with any procedure, the most important element is choosing a board-certified surgeon with proven experience. If you are in the Manhattan area, contact my office at (212) 249-4020 and let’s talk about what facelift procedures might be right for you.

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