How Does a Band-Aid Facelift Compare to a Full Facelift?
When aging and environmental conditions cause you to lose your once-youthful appearance, facelift surgery may be the answer. Dr. Marisa Lawrence is a fellowship-trained and double board-certified plastic surgeon who offers a wide variety of facial treatments at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA. Facelift surgery can tighten loose skin to create a younger-looking appearance. Other issues that can be addressed include wrinkles and lines around the eyes and cheeks, and the lower two-thirds of the face.
A facelift can minimize the unwanted signs of aging on the face and neck, and different types of facelifts are offered at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery based on the desired outcome. While some people only require a Band-Aid facelift solution, others are ready for a more traditional facelift. Dr. Lawrence is a highly skilled surgeon with a complete understanding of facial anatomy. To learn more about your facelift options and schedule your consultation, give our team a call today.
What are the different types of facelifts?
No matter which issues you wish to correct, the team at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery can help you choose the best technique based on your needs and goals, as well as the degree of skin laxity. Ideally, facelift patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of their surgery. Some facelift procedures address the upper half of the face while others focus on the middle and lower areas. To get the results you want, Dr. Lawrence will review different techniques and describe the types of surgery. While some methods are more invasive than others, we can also take your suggestions into account. Some patients choose to get additional supplemental procedures such as an eyelid lift or brow lift to enhance their final outcome. Two of the most common facelift options are a full (or traditional) facelift and a Band-Aid facelift, also known as a mini facelift.
About the full facelift
Many people who choose to get facelift surgery feel self-conscious about their facial appearance due to sagging skin or folds that have developed from natural aging or sun exposure. Although a full facelift is relatively safe, it is important to know the details of this procedure before scheduling surgery. In a full facelift, the incision is made close to the hairline, extending down to the temples and behind the base of the ears. Dr. Lawrence then carefully pulls the underlying facial muscles and reduces the excess skin and tissue. Patients who are the best candidates for a traditional facelift are those with advanced signs of aging.
About the Band-Aid facelift
Aging is inevitable, particularly on the lower half of the face as the skin slowly loses elasticity. The Band-Aid facelift produces gorgeous results for numerous Atlanta-area patients who otherwise may not have the time and resources involved in a traditional facelift. Performed under local anesthesia in the office, which eliminates costly hospital fees, a mini facelift requires a small incision around the ears to lift the skin, enhancing areas such as the jawline and jowls. This means that the techniques Dr. Lawrence uses are ideal for younger patients, or individuals with light to moderate facial aging. Due to its less invasive nature, a Band-Aid facelift has very minimal downtime and may yield less dramatic results than a full facelift.
What happens during facelift recovery?
Before your facelift, the team at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery will schedule follow-up appointments and review information about what will be involved in your mini or traditional facelift. Once the surgery has been completed, patients are carefully monitored before being released to a responsible adult. Bruising and swelling can be expected during facelift recovery, along with some soreness and discomfort. Most individuals can get prescription medication to help with any associated pain.
Schedule your facelift consultation
If you have issues such as sagging skin or creases in the lower half of your face, we can discuss whether you are a good candidate for facelift surgery. While patients may worry that a facelift will make them appear shiny or tight, Dr. Marisa Lawrence focuses on giving patients natural-looking results so they look younger and more refreshed. The staff at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery offers cosmetic treatments so men and women can look their best at any age. To learn about the types of facelifts we offer, facelift recovery time, and more, reach out to our skilled plastic surgery team in Atlanta, GA.