If we are honest few of us like the signs of aging in our body. The facial skin is the only area we can witness these changes on a daily basis. It is not surprising, then, that methods to correct aging change in the face are some of the most popular operations in cosmetic surgery.
For most of us the changes of aging are all too familiar: loose skin of the neck, fine lines and so on. These changes are not limited to the face but are also seen in other areas such as the hand.
The difference between skin resurfacing and facelifting: this is a common cause of confusion and one that can cause dissatisfaction if you do not select the appropriate operation. Resurfacing operations are designed to change the texture of the skin. They do this by removing the top layers of the skin and restructuring the deeper layers. It works well for fine lines or wrinkles. Although there may be a small amount of tightening this is not the primary purpose.
Tightening of loose skin is done with a facelift and here the reverse applies; fine lines may be slightly improved, but the primary aim is tightening of skin.
There are a number of non-surgical methods used to improve aging skin: you are probably familiar with the many common things you can do to reduce the effects of aging. These include avoiding the sun, stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy life style. Modern medicine has added some other methods.
Regular application of Retin-A or Prevage® may improve skin texture. Injections of Juvederm® and fat can also disguise fine lines. BOTOX® is injected into muscle around the face to relax harsh lines and improve the appearance of wrinkles. Filler injections are becoming more common and will have an increasing role.
There are many operations that temporarily reverse the effect of aging. Remember that in all cases you will continue to age but the operations usually last for several years. As time passes you will gradually return to an appearance appropriate for your age.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy): A facelift tightens the loose skin of the face and neck. It does not change the eyes or forehead. The method is to undermine the skin and remove the excess. At the same time the underlying muscle is tightened. The incision is concealed behind the ear or in the scalp for most of its length.
Forehead Lift: Deep forehead crease lines and low brows, that create a tired look, are corrected with a forehead lift. The incision is disguised in the scalp or along the hairline. After undermining the skin and muscle the excess is removed.
Skin Resurfacing (peels, laser, dermabrasion): there is often confusion about the difference between these operations. Essentially they all do the same thing, By removing the surface layers and restructuring the deep layers of the skin they improve the appearance and get rid of many fine lines and imperfections. The appropriate operation for you depends on your needs. Your doctor can discuss the advantages and disadvantages with you.
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