Facelift Wrinkle Treatments

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There are several ways of doing a face-lift. Most people have a general anesthetic to make them sleep. If you have a local anesthetic, you will also be given a drug to help you relax (a sedative).

In one type of operation, a surgeon makes a cut along the hairline at the top of your forehead and behind your ears. Some of the fat is removed from under your skin, and some excess skin may also be removed. The skin is then pulled into its new, tighter position and sewn into place.

You’ll probably have swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few weeks. Your stitches will be taken out after a week or so. You’ll have a scar, but it will fade in time and should be hidden by your hair. More modern surgical techniques, such as keyhole surgery, can be used to reduce scarring.

How good and how safe a face lift is will depend partly on the experience of the surgeon doing the operation.

You’ll need to stay out of the sun or use very high factor sun block for several weeks after your operation.

A face lift can go wrong, just like any other operation. Be sure to ask about the risks as well as the potential benefits before agreeing to surgery.

Plastic surgery is done on the NHS to repair damage that’s happened because of disease, an accident or surgery. For example, if you are badly burnt, you may have surgery to help restore your appearance. Plastic surgery may also be offered to correct a problem you have been born with. These types of operation are often called plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery.

If you choose to have surgery, such as a face-lift, to make yourself look younger, it may be referred to as aesthetic plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery. For this, you’ll usually need to pay for private treatment. Cosmetic surgery isn’t usually available on the NHS.

Although you’ll need to see a private doctor, it’s a good idea to see your GP first. Your GP will be able to give you advice, and discuss how your overall health might affect the operation you’re thinking about.

The Department of Health gives the following advice to people considering cosmetic surgery.

• Make sure your cosmetic surgery provider is registered with the Health care Commission. They must be registered by law. You can read inspection reports on all private health care providers at the Health care Commission’s website.
• Ask about the qualifications and experience of the doctor who’ll be doing the operation. You can ask to see before and after photos of their previous operations.
• Make sure the person giving you advice is a doctor or nurse. They’ll be able to give you more detailed advice than other members of staff.
• Ask for the full details of the operation, including what kind of anesthetic you’ll need, how long you’ll take to recover, and how likely it is you will have problems or side effects.
• Think about your reasons for having the operation. Are you doing it for yourself or for someone else? Are you likely to get the benefits you’re hoping for?