Aging is an inevitable natural process, but everyone would like to keep their smooth faces for a longer time. Thanks to science and technology, you can now maintain your good looks well into old age. Of course, you still need to take care of your health since these procedures only reverse the physical aspects of aging. Here are some ways for you to address aging.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are used to smoothen the face and help it regain shape. Parts of the face that sink as you age can be filled so that you look a lot younger. The benefit of this procedure is that it is painless and does not have any downtime. This is because no surgery is involved.
Parts of the face that can be rejuvenated using dermal fillers include the nose, lips, cheeks, and chin. The procedure will only take you about 30 minutes, although the actual time would depend on the specific areas being filled. You will have to be put under local anesthesia, and this can be in the form of cream. Then, the dermatologist will administer the treatment using a sterilized needle. You will then be allowed to sit for a while with a cold pack over the treated area.
Once the procedure is over, you can go back to your routine immediately without having to wait for recovery.
However, the procedure still has some minor side effects. You should expect some redness on the site of the injection. This may be coupled by swelling. These side effects will typically fade within a day or even a few hours. If you fail to follow your dermatologist’s instructions before the day of the filling, you might also experience some bruising. It is important to always get your dermal fillers from a qualified professional.
The results of this treatment will last for between 6 months and two years. If you go for permanent fillers, the results can even last for five years.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is meant for people with wrinkles, acne scars, or non-responsive skin, usually resulting from a facelift. It is important to note that the treatment is not recommended for people with acne, dark skin, or stretch marks. Ideally, you should consult your doctor before choosing to go for laser resurfacing.
So how does the procedure work?
The doctor will direct short light rays to the affected areas of your skin, and this will get rid of the skin cells that are damaged on the surface. The procedure will involve carbon dioxide or erbium lasers. Using erbium laser beams results in fewer side effects. If you have dark skin, you would be better off using these rays. This specific treatment also burns the surrounding skin cells less.
Patients can even recover from erbium resurfacing in a week. For CO2 laser beams, the recovery will take up to 2 weeks.
This procedure is not free of side effects. Typically, you should expect some bruising, redness, and swelling. These side effects are more pronounced in patients who go for CO2 laser resurfacing.
Before going for this procedure, your doctor will consider your medical history and the results you expect. You will also need to avoid drugs that can affect the clotting of blood for at least ten days before the treatment. It is also important to note that smoking can increase the healing period.
Facelift
Another sign of aging is the development of loose skin and jowls on the lower part of the face. These problems can be addressed through a surgical procedure known as a facelift. The procedure aims at lifting your facial skin and muscles to make them firmer.
If you only have little sagging on the face, you can go for a mini-facelift. This involves smaller incisions, usually above the ear and along the hairline. Mini-facelifts can be performed under local anesthesia, although most doctors choose to go with general anesthesia. This procedure can help you get rid of early signs of aging, and, therefore, reduce the need for a standard procedure in the future.
People who are already showing extreme signs of aging around the neck and face can opt for a standard facelift. This procedure is more extensive, and this means you will have to get general anesthesia. Again, the surgeon will have to make incisions along the hairline and other areas on the face. Through these incisions, they can reposition the tissues under this skin and get rid of excess skin.
Being a more extensive procedure, a standard facelift will require a lot more recovery time. You will be able to get back to your normal routine after about two weeks, but the side effects will take a whole year to resolve. Your doctor will give you instruction on how to manage your side effects. Following this advice will make sure you don’t take too long to recover.
Neck Lift
This procedure is similar to the facelift, except that it is done in the jawline and neck. Neck lifts can get rid of excess fat under the chin, loose skin in the neck and muscle banding. If your face is still in perfect condition, but your neck and lower jaw are starting to show signs of aging, a neck lift can be a good solution.
People normally combine neck lifts with procedures such as brow lifts, fat transfer, and eyelid surgery. With advances in technology and medicine, these procedures have grown to be very safe. Like facelifts, this treatment will require your surgeon to make incisions in your skin; then, they will remove excess fat and skin.
For a safe procedure, you will have to avoid alcohol, anti-inflammatory drugs, excessively fatty foods, and excess sugar for about ten days before the treatment.
Conclusion
These four procedures will help you regain the good looks of your youth. It is important to follow the advice of your doctor, and answer all their questions truthfully. This way, you will get a safe and proper procedure. Since these treatments don’t stop the aging process, you should still take care of your body and drink a lot of water regularly.
Andrew Jacono, MD is a renowned plastic surgeon based in New York City. Dr. Jacono has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has made frequent appearances on Oprah’s Face to Face and Discovery Fit & Health.
