When it comes to the integrity of facial skin, gravity is an equal opportunity tormentor. Together with the loss of collagen that naturally occurs as we age, gravity creates jowls, folds and pockets of skin for men and women alike.
Because of societal double standards, men often feel less pressure to reverse this process; but men can and do seek facelifts, and their numbers are increasing. Below, trusted Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Charles S. Lee, MD discusses how facelift can be an effective surgical solution for men, paring years from their appearance while boosting self-confidence and social presence.
From Rare to Rising
According to data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, facelift was the fifth most popular plastic surgery procedure for men in 2018, and the trend is gaining momentum. For women, facelift was the sixth most common plastic surgery, although the total female share for the procedure was 90 percent.
As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Lee is skilled in tailoring facelift to the preferences and unique facial anatomy of men. Key considerations are placement of incisions and taking care not to detract from the natural masculine lines of the face. Men typically prefer shorter hair styles, and so hiding the scars of facelift requires both artistry and surgical precision. Men are also more likely to fear the prospect of a facelift that looks “done” or unnatural, and therefore prefer less change in facial contours.
Shared Goals
Beyond that, the procedure is similar for both men and women. The goal and primary benefit of facelift is that it targets signs of aging in the middle and lower facial regions. This includes the area below the lower eyelids, cheeks and jawline. It can address loose skin, displaced fat or sagging tissue on the cheeks, furrows beneath the lower eyelids, excess skin and fat along the jawline and creases between the nose and corners of the mouth. When appropriate, the procedure can be combined with neck lift to further rejuvenate the lower facial region.
Facelift turns back the clock and resets the aging process. In addition, the surgery has the effect of slightly improving the strength and suppleness of the skin, slowing the tempo of aging. Unlike temporary fixes such as dermal fillers, facelift performed by a skilled plastic surgeon will last approximately 10 years. The range of results is dependent upon the type of facelift you choose, the resiliency of your skin, and certain lifestyle factors, such as whether you smoke. Limited procedures such as the so-called “mini facelift” may last two to four years. Revisions may last up to seven years.
To learn more about facelift, schedule a personal consultation with Charles S. Lee, MD, or contact the Beverly Hills office of Enhance® Medical Center today.
