How to Get a Natural-Looking Facelift

If you’ve tried any of the noninvasive, anti-aging therapies available, it’s probably fair to say you weren’t overwhelmed with the results, which are usually quite temporary. That just makes you more determined to find a way to reverse the loss of facial volume, tone the sagging jowls, and lift the drooping neck or chin. 

There is a way — it’s called a surgical facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy.

For many people, the idea of getting a facelift is scary, no doubt in part because of the inevitable pictures of Hollywood celebrities whose facelift gave them the look of a plastic doll. But there are ways to get a natural-looking facelift, so someone who doesn’t know you won’t have a clue you had one done.

Creating a natural-looking facelift is one of the primary aesthetic goals of our oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Dustin Heringer at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery. His surgical technique and artistic vision combine to make you look like the best version of yourself. 

Tips for getting a natural-looking facelift

A natural-looking facelift requires the involvement of both the surgeon and the patient. Here are some tips:

Establish a rapport with your surgeon

The last thing you want is a surgeon who doesn’t treat your face with the care and attention to detail you need and deserve. Dr. Herringer has extensive training and years of experience performing thousands of successful procedures, delivering high-quality results for his patients. You’re in good hands.

Your consultation is a two-way conversation. The doctor conducts a thorough medical exam, asks you about your aesthetic goals and expectations, examines your skin, and evaluates your underlying bone structure to determine if you’re a good candidate for a facelift. 

If you are, he explains the details of the procedure and lets you know what kind of results you can expect. If you’re not, he explains why not and gives you alternatives that may be more suitable.

If you have any questions or concerns, speak up! Dr. Heringer makes sure he gives you all the answers before you leave. You can also ask him to show you before-and-after photos, especially for patients with facial structures similar to yours. The results will speak for themselves.

Get a full facelift

While a "skin only" facelift might be an acceptable, inexpensive choice for some people, the problem is is won’t last as long as a high-quality traditional lift.  Yes, the doctor lifts the skin, but the underlying tissues continue to sag, so the results don’t look as natural as a full facelift, and they don’t last as long.

Dr. Heringer performs a full facelift that lifts both the skin and the underlying superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, which lifts and tightens your whole middle and lower face and contours your features. This gives you the most natural look because it mimics the structure of a younger face. 

In addition, Dr. Heringer is an expert at hiding any potential scars, making his incisions along your hairline or near your ears, so there’s nothing to mar your rejuvenated face. 

Choose other procedures to complement your facelift

No matter how natural-looking your face is after your facelift, if your eyelids still droop and the skin on your neck still sags, it can ruin the whole effect. If you’re scheduled for a facelift, ask Dr. Heringer to add on a neck lift to tighten the sags, a blepharoplasty to stop the eyelid droop, or a brow lift to tighten the upper third of your face. 

Doing all of these procedures at the same time cuts down on your recovery period, and it reduces the expense and inconvenience of scheduling multiple procedures.

Follow all preop and postop instructions exactly

Part of the burden of getting a natural-looking facelift falls on the patient. It’s incredibly important to ensure the procedure goes smoothly and your recovery is uneventful by following the instructions Dr. Heringer gives you. 

If you smoke, you should stop at least two weeks before your facelift, and refrain for two weeks after. We also give you a list of medications and herbal supplements you should avoid to reduce your risk of excessive bleeding.

For the first few weeks, expect to take it easy — that includes getting someone else to shop and cook and clean the house. Avoid bending down, as that can cause unnecessary swelling and bruising. And expect to be off  work and not exercising during that time.

If you’re looking to get the most natural-looking facelift you can, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heringer at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery. Give us a call at either of our offices in Peoria or Scottsdale, or book online with us today.