There are many treatments for facial rejuvenation today: hyaluronic acid fillers, botulinum toxin, laser and radiofrequency. I use them in my practice, and they are excellent tools for maintaining skin quality as we age. But they have a limit: they cannot reposition tissues that have descended. That is what surgery does.
Why, then, do so many people dismiss a facelift without considering it? These are the four concerns I hear most often.
1. “I will look as though I have had surgery”
That is an understandable fear. Facial rejuvenation techniques have changed considerably, though. The aim today is to reposition the underlying tissues rather than stretch the skin, giving a natural-looking result.
Results last for many years: studies show that most patients still look younger than before surgery more than five years later, and that on average around ten years pass before a second operation is considered.
2. "I will lose my expression"
We are not trying to change your face. The aim is to return the tissues to where they were some years ago while preserving your features and expressions. That is why I ask you to bring a photograph from fifteen to twenty years ago: it helps us understand what has changed and what we want to restore.
3. “I don’t have time to recover”
Recovery takes three to four weeks. You will need to plan for that time, so we discuss it from your first consultation.
4. “The scars will be noticeable”
Scars are placed along the hairline and in the crease between the cheek and ear, where they are well concealed. We use fine sutures, which are removed in the first few days.
Could a facelift be right for you?
Stand in front of a mirror, place your hands along your jaw just below your ears and gently lift the skin backward. If you like the change, you may be a candidate. A consultation is needed to confirm this.
They are complementary options
A facelift repositions descended tissue; botulinum toxin and fillers address expression lines and volume, and can continue after surgery. They complement one another. What matters is understanding what each can achieve.
Dr. Ilich Ríos is a board-certified plastic surgeon with training in facial cosmetic surgery at Villa Bella Clinic in Salò, Italy.