Blog posts in category "Facelift"
How to Reduce Swelling and Speed Up Recovery After a Facelift
Aug
Are there ways to reduce swelling after your facelift that your plastic surgeon may not be telling you? San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Roy Kim provides a complete list of ways to reduce swelling and speed up recovery after a facelift.
5 Ways to Avoid an Unnatural Facelift Result
Jun
San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Roy Kim shares a few tricks of the trade for avoiding unnatural facelift results.
Dr. Kim's "Greatest Hits" Facelift Articles
May
If you're considering a facelift, you should take some time to do your research. Luckily, Dr. Roy Kim is a facelift specialist AND a prolific writer on the subject.
Clothes and Perception: Is There a Link to Plastic Surgery?
May
A New York Times article recently reported on a phenomenon called enclothed cognition, which is the effect of clothing on cognitive processes. How could this shed light on life after plastic surgery?
10 Ways To Accelerate Facelift Recovery
May
San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Roy Kim shares 10 ways to speed up your recovery after a facelift.
Why Choose Dr. Kim for Your Facelift?
Apr
A facelift is a very important, if not THE most important, kind of cosmetic surgery. I know that you would not just trust your face with any plastic surgeon. So why would should you choose me for your facelift procedure?
Why Men's Facelifts are More Difficult to Get Right
May
As plastic surgery continues to barrel its way into mainstream America, more and more men are choosing to undergo procedures once seen as exclusive to women. The majority of men are undergoing liposuction, but as baby boomers are now reaching retirement age, male facelifts are increasingly common.
However, a man’s facelift is harder to do than a woman’s facelift. Why? There are some aesthetic aspects, surgical techniques and hair and skin considerations unique to men that require a little more thought, as well as time, to get right.
- Avoiding Feminization - Skin and Facial Structure Differences
- Hairline Difficulties
- Camouflaging Incisions
Avoiding Feminization
Kenny Rogers
The once ruggedly handsome celebrities that have been beaten up by the media for “bad” facelift surgery all have one thing in common. Their results look too feminine.
If you look at Kenny Rogers or Burt Reynolds or Bruce Jenner or any number of famously bad male facelift surgeries, you’ll notice that things look somewhat “off,” but it’s hard to put your finger on what it is. Yes, it’s clear they had surgery and don’t resemble their former selves, but specifically, they no longer look manly.
Basically, if you pull the facial structures tight, it feminizes people. In a woman, it’s okay to pull tight and have a really sharp jawline. In a man, to the eyes of most people, it tends to feminize them.
I don’t totally perceive why this is the case, but it’s rare to see a buff guy with a youthful face, not too many wrinkles, and a sharp jaw line. Those guys look like models – not movie stars. Young men who fit this profile can appear very androgynous, like a Calvin Klein perfume commercial. In older men, it’s psychologically jarring and gives the mind pause when you know someone is in their 40s or 50s, yet he has few wrinkles and very tight skin.
Personally, I think it’s more natural for older men to have a touch of loose skin, and to try to reduce, but not eliminate, all wrinkles. If the “after” photos have really tight skin with no wrinkles, to me, it just looks too “surgerized.”
Aesthetic judgment is just as important as surgical skill. It may sound strange, but sometimes leaving a little loose skin or a slight wrinkle on a man is actually going to give a more natural and better result than eliminating ALL loose skin and wrinkles.
Skin and Facial Structure Differences
Simply put, a man’s face is bigger than a woman’s, which makes the surgery longer.
Also, men have heavier and thicker skin than women. Due to the heavier skin, men usually have a less dramatic result than women, which is a good thing since we’ve already covered how subtle improvements are best for men.. Men may also experience “rebound relaxation” because of their skin’s heavier quality. This refers to the skin going back to its pre-operative condition shortly after surgery and not remaining tight.
Hairline Difficulties
Men generally have a lot of facial hair. These hairs have more blood flow, and thus, will potentially cause more bleeding right after surgery. Even if there is no surgical complication from bleeding, there is a chance that there may be more bruising and swelling.
Mickey Rourke
Facial hair also means longer sideburns, which need to be preserved. However, if you pull the skin too much or too tight, this will eliminate all or some of the sideburns and create an unnatural look (see Mickey Rourke). Pulling back the skin that covers the jaw and anchoring it behind the ear can result in beard skin (and continuous beard hair growth) behind the ear. Because of this, the incision may be made just in front of the ear and behind the sideburn.
More hairline difficulties arise if a man wants a brow or forehead lift. Yes, sad but true - most older men will have a receding hairline. It’s important to consider the aesthetics of a smooth forehead on a man, and I would typically recommend skipping the forehead lift and just using Botox to achieve a more natural look. I think that some celebrity male facelifts have been too aggressive in brow lifts, which result in
- No wrinkles on the forehead. On a 55-year-old guy, it just doesn’t psychologically mesh with the rest of the man’s face.
- More forehead skin and space, which possibly raises the hairline itself.
- Higher brow position, which tends to feminize.
Camouflaging Incisions
Hiding the incisions from a facelift becomes a much greater challenge when operating on a man. Men have sparse hair around their temples and ears, whereas women can use their long hair to hide all sorts of sins. Men’s scars usually end up in the hairline above the ear and around the ear, but care must be taken to not disturb the hair growth or to create a glaringly obvious scar on the face. Men don’t have the benefit of wearing foundation, so while I always take precision with my surgical incisions very seriously, it’s especially true on men.
In short, men can have a fantastic facelift result and still look like MEN by choosing an experienced plastic surgeon, not going for dramatic change and using less invasive procedures around the eyes and forehead.
If you’d like more information on male facelifts or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim, contact our Patient Care Coordinator, Caroline, at 415-354-8148.
Facelift Techniques That Younger Plastic Surgeons Utilize
Mar
("Are You Experienced"- Jimi Hendrix)
Can you teach an old doc new tricks? Well, maybe – but you’d have to offer a pretty big bone. After so many years of practice with a particular technique, sometimes even doctors get in a rut routine. It’s human nature to resist change, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing in most circumstances. I mean, you probably dry off after a shower in the same way every day. You probably have used the same cereal to milk ratio for years.
But when it comes to plastic surgery and facelift procedures, patients would do well to search out a doctor who has experience, yes, but not too much experience, if you catch my drift. Facelift techniques are continuously changing and improving every year. Here’s a quick look at some Old School and New School differences:
Old School – High and Tight
In previous years, plastic surgeons made incisions around the ear and simply pulled the skin upwards and as tight as possible before redraping it and reattaching it. This was effective at smoothing wrinkles, but the results didn’t last and patients often had the dreaded “wind tunnel” look.
New School – SMAS Adjustments
Today’s surgeons almost always combine skin tightening with SMAS adjustment during a cosmetic surgery facelift. The SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) is a strong, thin layer found between the skin and the muscle. I often refer to it as the Saran Wrap of the face. During a facelift, the SMAS needs to be freed up and adjusted separately from the skin.
Skilled plastic surgeons employ several SMAS strategies to give the most natural and longest lasting results, and the best technique is determined based on the patient’s individual anatomy. The SMAS can be cut and then lifted and sewn to a stronger area such as the bone behind the ear or over the cheek. Other times the SMAS is not cut but simply tightened with sutures. However it is achieved, successfully adjusting the SMAS creates much more natural facelifts that last.
Old School – Wrinkle Rejuvenation
Older facelift techniques were mainly concerned with vertical movement. Mainly, eliminate wrinkles and sagging by pulling everything North. There was little attention paid to skin firmness or volume loss, two of the biggest indicators of advancing age.
New School – Total Rejuvenation
Many older surgeons are not up to date on the newer practice of combining a facelift surgery with facial liposuction and/or fat grafting. By removing unwanted fat around the jowls and neck area with liposuction (often in combination with a neck lift), a skilled surgeon can actually sculpt the face into a more youthful profile.
In addition, using fat harvested from another part of the patient’s body to replace lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and temples is a relatively new practice that yields outstanding results. Synthetic fillers made of hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm, are great for patients who want a temporary, non-surgical option to replace volume. But facelift patients will achieve permanent results with a fat transfer.
Old School – Single Approach
The facelift patients of yesteryear were not given many options for facial rejuvenation either before or after surgery. This is due in large part because not many other options existed. There weren’t a wide variety of products and treatments that could be used to delay a traditional facelift, and there weren’t many options for maintaining a facelift. You basically used Oil of Olay and Ponds until your face fell to a certain point, then you got a facelift, then you went back to your simple routine of Oil of Olay and Ponds.
New School – Multifaceted Approach
Today, there are new products and treatments being brought to the market every day. If a doctor doesn’t keep up, he’ll quickly find himself way behind the multi-billion dollar behemoth industry that is cosmetic procedures. Younger plastic surgeons are familiar with and make use of everything from Botox and dermal fillers to lasers and ultrasound. By utilizing these treatments well before the need for a facelift arises, patients can ease into their 40s and 50s with youthful and vigorous faces.
If and when a patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, the full arsenal of laser resurfacing, Botox and skin care should continue to be a part of the a patient’s regimen. Choosing a plastic surgeon who can also guide you through the maze of aesthetic options to keep your new face looking its best for the longest period of time is so…modern.
If you’d like to speak to an experienced, but not too “experienced,” plastic surgeon like me to find out how the lastest advancements in facelift techniques can benefit you, contact my patient care coordinator, Caroline at info@drkim.com or 415-362-1846.
Non-Surgical and Surgical Options for Your Face
Feb
How a Plastic Surgery Face Lift Can Help You Look More Youthful and Vigorous
Gone are the days of plastic surgery face lifts that made patients look like they had just taken a ride in a convertible F-16 fighter jet. When people think feel nervous or anxious about how they will look after facelift surgery, they usually have a mental picture of a “bad” celebrity facelift. Think Kenny Rogers, Rupert Everett, Joan Rivers, Donatella Versace, etc. What most patients don’t realize is just how many celebrities have had great face lifts. That’s because the results are natural and leave them looking amazing instead of….well, weird.
Before considering a plastic surgery facelift, it’s important to find a facial plastic surgeon that specializes in facelift surgery and the newest face lift techniques. I can create a customized plan for you, including alternatives to a traditional plastic surgery face lift such as a “weekend facelift” or a “mini-lift” (keep reading to see if you might be a good candidate for these less invasive procedures).
Most patients will need a combination of treatments, but the following list might help you understand which treatments will .
Common symptoms of aging and which cosmetic treatments might best treat them:
Symptom: Forehead wrinkles
Treatment: Botox
Symptom: Wrinkles between the eyebrows, also called glabella lines
Treatment: Botox
Symptom: Cheeks not as full, fat that used to be on the cheek slides down the face
Treatment: Dermal filler, fat grafting and/or face lift depending on severity
Symptom: Jowling or loose skin along the jawline
Treatment: Neck lift and/or liposuction
Symptom: Hollow looking eyes
Treatment: Dermal filler, fat grafting and/or face lift depending on severity
Symptom: Eyebrow position too low
Treatment: Eye lift, also known as brow lift
Symptom: Loose skin in the upper and lower eyelid areas
Treatment: Eye lift, often in combination with a full face lift
Symptom: Loose skin around the neck
Treatment: Neck lift
Symptom: Double chin, extra fat under the chin
Treatment: Liposuction
Symptom: Deep nasolabial folds, the lines running from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth (also called smile lines or parentheses)
Treatment: Dermal filler, fat grafting and/or face lift
Symptom: Sun damage, dark spots and sun spots on the skin or melsasma (dark skin blotching) from pregnancy
Treatment: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), chemical peels, laser resurfacing
When to consider a “weekend” face lift? And At what Age?
Keeping in mind that a “weekend” face lift is not really a face lift, you should consider it when you have no “major” signs of aging and will be happy with subtle results.
A weekend face lift, also known as a liquid face lift, is clever marketing to help convince some patients that dramatic results can be achieved with no scar, no recovery and no significant price tag. In reality, it is simply the use of non-surgical facial fillers, Botox and laser resurfacing to achieve a younger look. It can be a great alternative for those patients who are younger than 40-45 years of age, don’t have the resources for a traditional face lift, or don’t have the time for a 7-10 day recovery.
When to consider a mini face lift? And at what Age?
A mini face lift (not a real medical term, but rather a reference to the length of the incision) is a good option for patients who don’t have much loose skin and who don’t need a neck lift. It can usually be performed in an office or operating room without the need for general anesthesia, and it offers a quicker recovery time.
Unfortunately, most people are not candidates for a mini facelift. They usually have more skin than the procedure can accommodate, they also need a neck lift, or they need more adjustment to their SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) than can be accomplished with a mini lift. Typical candidates are 45-55 years old.
When to consider a plastic surgery face lift? And at what Age?
If your skin needs tightened and your face requires more fullness in your cheek and eye areas or if your neck and chin are sagging, you should consider a plastic surgery face lift. If your symptoms can’t be significantly improved or have a long-lasting result with diet and exercise or less invasive procedures, you should consider a plastic surgery face lift. Typical face lift patients are 45-65 years old. The benefits of a plastic surgery face lift are many, but the biggest reward is a youthful and vigorous appearance that is natural and long-lasting.
Should you desire more information about my available services, or want to schedule an appointment, please contact my Patient Care Coordinator at info@drkim.com or (415)362-1846.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below.
5 Important Things to Know Before Your Cosmetic Surgery Facelift
Feb
5 Important Things to Know Before Your Cosmetic Surgery Facelift are-
#1 Work on a Cosmetic Surgery Facelift Strategy
#2 Certification Matters
#3 Make Time for Recovery
#4 Prepare to Care for Your Scars
#5 Pamper Your New Face!
#1- Work on a Cosmetic Surgery Facelift Strategy
The first step in a successful facelift procedure is mapping out a strategy that will produce the best outcomes for you. Every patient has different aesthetic needs, different areas that require treatment and different expectations. It’s critical to make a plan with your doctor to address your unique facelift strategy.
Some things to consider and discuss with your plastic surgeon:
• What kind of procedures do you need? Some people may benefit from a simple mini facelift, but most patients will require additional work such as a brow lift, neck lift and fat grafting to achieve the best and longest-lasting results.
• What kind of “look” do you want? It’s important that you and your plastic surgeon be on the same page regarding the degree of transformation you are seeking. Some people want the end result to look very natural and minimal while others are wanting more a dramatic change.
• What are your end-result expectations? You should be able to describe to your doctor what constitutes a facelift surgery “success” for you. If you have time constraints and want a quicker recovery, smaller procedures with less dramatic results might mean success for you. If you have an aged appearance due to smoking or sun damage, you might define success a different way.
#2 Certification Matters
Most people know that it’s important to ask their doctor if he or she is “board certified.” But what does that really mean?
The most prestigious boards are all affiliated with the ABMS/ American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABPS/ American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of only 24 specialties within the ABMS, and it implies a high standard of ethics, values, history and education.
Other boards have been formed under the umbrella of cosmetic surgery by doctors who are unable or unwilling to have the additional training to pursue an educational pathway towards certification within a board recognized by the ABMS. And while a surgeon may be “board certified” by the ABMS in one specialty such as dermatology or general surgery, it is important to ask if he or she is also board certified by the ABPS, which ensures several years of training, tests and recertification in the specialty of plastic surgery.
#3 Make Time for Recovery
The time you should set aside for a cosmetic surgery facelift does not end when you leave the operating room. It’s important to create a plan that will allow your body to recover and quickly heal itself. This includes taking time off of work and finding someone to help care for the house and any children. Some people choose to hire a post-op nurse or to spend time recovering in a hotel. Patients are often tempted to rush the recovery process, which is understandable because we all lead busy lives. But you’ll feel better and heal quicker if you truly devote yourself to a proper recovery.
Although it seems counterintuitive, it’s not a good idea to take any anti-inflammatory medicines such as Aspirin after your cosmetic surgery facelift. While it can reduce swelling, it also thins your blood, which is something you definitely want to avoid after surgery due to bleeding risks. I recommend an herbal cream called Arnica. Arnica is a type of sunflower that has been used to reduce bruising, sprains, and muscle inflammation. In cream or lotion form, it may help to reduce bruising and swelling.
#4 Prepare to Care for Your Scars
After your incisions have healed with new skin, you should be prepared to care for your incisions for up to 12 months after your facelift. Scars take 6-12 months to fully mature, so during this wound healing phase, you will want to do simple steps such as protect your incisions from the sun, use special anti-scar creams or bandages to help your scars, and possible cortisone injections to make the scars less thick and red.
If you notice that you slowly develop thicker, wider, or darker scars, then you may be developing hypertrophic or keloid scars. The treatment for this is to use special anti-scar creams, bandages, or cortisone injections.
#5 Pamper Your New Face!
Remember when you got that new car and you parked it way out on the edges of the parking lot and washed it all the time? You should pamper your newly lifted face in the same way. Despite having a cosmetic surgery facelift, your skin will continue to age. Keep it looking its best with these strategies:
• Religious facial skin care (The 5 Step Standard - cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing and SUNSCREEN)
• Small maintenance procedures (IPL, Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, etc.)
• Avoiding the “aging agents” (smoking, tanning excessive sun exposure, high stress, etc.)
Should you desire more information about my available services, or want to schedule an appointment, please contact my Patient Care Coordinator at info@drkim.com or (415)362-1846.
If you wish to leave any comments or questions, please feel free to do so below.
