Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta, GA been his talent and "eye" as a fine artist with his unique surgical skills and cutting-edge technology to create beautiful, lasting outcomes for his patients. Haute Beauty chats with Dr. Stephenson to learn more about treating wrinkles for those who want to see improvement but do not want to go under the knife. Whether it is a matter of downtime, recovery or you simply are not ready for facial surgery Dr. Stephenson has options for every type of patient. Haute Beauty expert Dr. Stephenson explains how a facelift procedure improves signs of aging and can restore your youthfulness.
Photo Credit: ShutterstockHaute Beauty: What is a facelift?
Changes in the contours in the face and neck typically produce aging of the face that simply can not be covered up with makeup, jewelry clothing, or hairstyles. This loss of a youthful healthy look can be due to factors not in our control including aging resulting in thinning of the skin and loss of facial fat, gravity, and heredity. As well as factors in our control, sun exposure can lead to damage, smoking, and stress.
A facelift can improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck to restore your natural youthfulness.
HB: What issues does a facelift correct?
We have all done it... you know, stand in the mirror use our hands to pull our facial skin back. This little maneuver lifts the skin and underlying muscles. This is what is accomplished by a facelift:
• Improvement of facial skin causing sagging
• Lessening the fold lines between the nose and corner of the mouth
• Reduce Jowls developing in the cheeks and along the jawline
• Improvement of the loose skin and excess fat of the neck that can appear as a double chin or "turkey neck"
Photo Credit: ShutterstockHB: Are there different types of facelift procedures?
A facelift is marketed in numerous ways based on what layer of the face is corrected. No one way is the best! All in all, there are two basic facelift techniques:
Skin removal only
• Easily to preform
• Results are not as long-lasting
• Not recommended for extensive loss of youthful appearance
Muscle repositioning with skin removal
• Muscle repositioning restores more areas to their youthful position
• Provides greater longevity to the results
HB: Who is a good candidate?
• Realistic expectations of process and results
• Good general health.
- This does not mean only people without any health issues.
- Persons with one or two health issues that are well controlled by their physician can be good candidates.
- Those with immune issues, bleeding disorders, healing problems, and those who smoke are not good candidates.
- A reputable plastic surgeon will guide you in determining if a facelift is a safe procedure to perform for you.
HB: What is recovery like?
• Healing from a surgical procedure is a process.
• Improvements can start as early as 2 weeks where women are able to apply makeup, initiation of driving, professional hair care, and light walking (exercise).
• Results will continue to improve and your daily activities will be increased from weeks 2-6.
• You will typically be released from all restricted activity at 6 weeks.
• From weeks 6-12, there will be subtle refinements in the healing process.
