Many people hit a point in their life where they wonder if face lift surgery is an option they should consider. If you have come to this point, there are likely many questions you have regarding any procedure. One of the most frequent questions that patients who come to our clinic ask is how long their procedure will last. If you are thinking about having face lift surgery in San Jose, CA, Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS can answer all of your questions.
The Face
Every person’s face is different. Each face is made up of different nerves and muscles, and each face’s skin has a different degree of elasticity. Other factors that come into play include a person’s age, the pigment, and condition of their skin, including how much sun damage they may have. These factors help determine how long a facelift will last. One factor that can play a pivotal role in the longevity of your surgery is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both before and after the procedure.
Tips to Increase the Longevity of Your Facelift
On average, a San Jose, CA face lift surgery will usually be at its optimum for about five to six years. Many of our patients do choose to add injections, fillers, and other non-surgical procedures to their facial regime to help prolong the procedure. Other tips that can help include:
- Stop smoking. Not only does smoking cause harm to your physical health, but it also creates heavy damage to facial skin. Smoking restricts blood flow in the skin, and this results in premature wrinkling and creping of the skin. Smoking can also affect any scarring you may have from the facelift.
- Wear sunscreen every day. Not just when you are going to the beach or sitting by the pool. You can also help prevent sun damage by wearing a large hat that shades your face and avoiding the midday sun. This is when the sun is at its strongest and can also do the most damage.
- Drink plenty of water. It is important for skin health to stay hydrated.
- Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Especially when you are recovering from your procedure. Alcohol causes dehydration of the skin and this can have an impact on your recovery.
- Choose the right plastic surgeon for your procedure. You want to make sure to choose a doctor who has extensive experience in facelifts.
Contact Our Clinic Today
Having any kind of surgical procedure can be a little overwhelming, and when it comes to face lift surgery in San Jose, CA, you want to make sure you are working with a surgeon like Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS. Dr. Churukian has more than two decades of surgical experience and is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the San Jose Surgical Society. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
Types of Face Lifts
Just like many procedures in medicine, San Jose, CA face lift surgery has vastly improved over decades ago when it was often evident to other people that someone has had a face lift. Today, with the work of a skilled plastic surgeon, most people have no idea that your healthy, youthful look is due to a face lift.
The following are some of the different choices of face lifts that are now available to patients. For more detailed information, contact Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS to schedule a consultation.
Full Face Lifts
When a patient undergoes a full face lift, the surgeon reshapes the lower half of the face, as well as smoothing out any deep creases around the patient’s nose and mouth. This is what gives the patient that youthful look. The surgeon will also remove any fat in the patient’s neck and chin and any skin that is hanging around the jawline. There are two different full face lift procedures the surgeon will choose from:
Superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) lift – This is where the plastic surgeon makes incisions either in the front of the patient’s ears or behind them in order to reposition the firm skin tissue (referred to as the fascia) that covers the face muscles. This procedure generally lasts up to 15 years.
Deep plane face lift – This is where the plastic surgeon will create a flap using both the SMAS and skin fat, lifting and tightening both of these as one. This lifts the mid-face.
Partial Face Lifts
Partial face lifts are beneficial for patients who are showing signs of light to moderate aging. Partial San Jose face lift surgery corrections to any sagging around the jawline and neck. Three types of partial face lifts include:
- Mini face lift – This is also referred to as a short scar face lift. Although similar to a full face lift, the incision the surgeon makes is shorter than the one made in a full.
- Lower face lift – In this type of face lift, the surgeon works on areas below the corner of the mouth, commonly referred to as the “laugh lines” we all develop, as well as improving the jawline and the neck and chin areas.
- Thread lift – In a thread lift, the surgeon inserts temporary stitches under the skin in order to produce a lift to the face. This attracts collagen to these areas and can help with the looseness of the skin in that area.
Contact Our Office Today
If you are considering a San Jose face lift, the first place to start is by calling Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS. Dr. Churukian has more than two decades of experience working with patients and helping them obtain their goals. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the San Jose Surgical Society. Call our office today to schedule a consultation for a San Jose face lift surgery.
If you or a loved one are interested in face lift surgery contact San Jose face lift surgery patients can trust for a consult today.
When it comes to beauty, many individuals try new products and experiment with new serums, ointments, injections, and creams. Face lift surgery may be a great benefit for those seeking efficient and professional treatment. If you have any questions regarding surgery, contact the professionals at Kirk A Churukian MD, FACS who is able and willing to answer questions and provide clarity.
Due to the patients varying ages, muscle tone, pigmentation, and sun damage face lift surgery may be more successful for some. If patients desire longevity and the best possible outcome for their surgery, they should adhere to some skin care and treatment protocols.
Skin care specialists recommend an increase of the patient’s daily water intake, limiting sun exposure, especially to the face, and stopping smoking and limiting alcohol use as much as possible to see maximum results of face lift surgery.
Living a healthy style can greatly impact the look of your skin, before and after surgery. If a patient chooses to live an unhealthy lifestyle of chronic smoking and alcohol use, sun exposure, and poor diet, their face surgery may not be worth it. However, patients should feel encouraged and empowered by their face lift surgeons to live a healthy lifestyle, not just for their face, but for their quality of life.
How do smoking, heavy alcohol use, and sun damage negatively affect a patient’s skin? Alcohol for example dries out the skin, and those undergoing face lift surgery require extra hydration for their skin’s elasticity. Smoking is overall harmful to patients’ health. For this reason, medical professionals strongly caution their patients to avoid smoking as much as possible. Smoking restricts blood flow, which can lead to more wrinkles, and creping on the skin. Patients who have recently undergone face lift surgery are especially prone to scarring, and wrinkles if they smoke. Sun damage causes premature aging, and wrinkles, and can even cause skin cancer in patients. Plastic surgeons strongly advise their patients to wear protective coverings for their heads, faces, and eyes when out in the sun. Skin cancer is not something to mess around with as it can be potentially dangerous for those diagnosed with it.
Plastic surgeons can offer their patients sound, practical insight such as the helpful advice mentioned above. With years of training, and experience plastic surgeons can provide their patients with research, data, and tips that will enhance their patient’s skin. Start your journey toward healthy, radiant skin with the face lift surgery you deserve. Contact a face lift surgeon today and schedule a consult. Initial consults are exciting and can calm any nerves, and answer any questions patients may have concerning a potential face lift surgery. Don’t waste time wondering what if, and start planning your face lift surgery today, with the help of an experienced San Jose face lift surgeon.
What does a facelift do for my appearance?
A San Jose, CA face lift surgery addresses sunken, sagging, and unattractive skin throughout the face and neck area. Such a procedure helps to restore youthful, more firm, and attractive appearance. Through this procedure, our surgeon can address extra fat deposit issues, lack of skin laxity, and other problems that often are associated with aging. With a face lift from Dr. Kirk A. Churukian, it can help you feel more confident about the way you look and boost your confidence for years to come. A typical face lift fixes prominent jowls, double chins, sagging cheeks, facial folds and creases, and more.
Who is the ideal candidate for a face lift?
A facelift is more ideal for those who are noticing advanced signs of aging. When performed by our experienced surgeons, the procedure can take years off of your appearance and not make you look overdone either. One of the things many people are concerned about now is making sure that they don’t look like they have had too much work done. We can be transparent and honest about what the outcome of your look would be like if you go through with the procedure. We always keep aesthetics in mind and strive to target the specific issues that our clients are focused on.
Are there aging signs to watch out for?
If you are struggling with sagging skin on your face/jawline/neck, or have fat deposits in these areas, we can correct those. Additionally, if you have deep folds throughout your lower and mid face, we can provide the solution for that as well. As you age, you may notice that your cheeks become more hollow or sunken, which is something a face lift can address too. If you have tried non-surgical options or they just are not suitable for your needs, then considering a San Jose face lift surgery is recommended.
Is recovery after a face lift difficult?
Just as with any kind of surgery, a face lift requires incisions being made and there will be a recovery period. Good candidates for this procedure must be healthy, prepare to rest for a week or so, and not smoke. It may take up to eight weeks for the body to heal and recover enough to where you can resume physical activities. But rest assured that we will work with you throughout your aftercare and schedule follow-up visits so that you will know for sure when it is safe to resume your normal tasks. It is wise to set aside time for after a facelift, to give yourself extra care as your body adjusts to the procedure and the areas can heal properly.
How do I know it’s time to get a face lift?
If you just aren’t sure whether you want to get a face lift or not, there is no risk in getting a consultation. Your surgeon can meet with you to discuss your concerns and answer questions you may have. It’s understandable that you may need some reassurance about the process of receiving a San Jose face lift surgery, and we are happy to help. If you are ready to schedule an appointment, we’re ready to hear from you. At our clinic, Dr. Kirk A. Churukian is dedicated to your health and confidence.