Are Your A Perfect Candidate For A Facelift?

As most men and women would agree, if you could drink from a fountain of youth that would prevent you from appearing old and wrinkled, you would happily raise a glass. Since that isn’t a viable option, you may have to rely on the next best thing: facelift surgery. 

David D. Davila, DO, FACOS is a cosmetic surgeon at Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center, in Houston, Texas, who specializes in facelift surgery, to help you turn back the clock on aging. So, while the search for the fountain of youth continues, read on to learn why you may be the perfect candidate for a facelift. 

YOU’RE IN GOOD OVERALL HEALTH

Generally speaking, before you opt for an elective surgical procedure such as a facelift, you need to be in good overall health. If you’re being treated for chronic health conditions in which surgery may put you at risk of infection, or if your body isn’t able to heal itself as well as it needs to during a speedy recovery, you may not want to have a facelift until you have these more pressing issues under control. 

On the other hand if you eat well, exercise, and don’t have serious health concerns, but you do have a strong desire to tighten and smooth sagging, wrinkled skin, you may be an ideal candidate for a facelift. 

YOU’RE A NONSMOKER

Smoking interferes with your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Being a nonsmoker makes you a good candidate for facelift surgery because your body will be able to heal and recover much more easily than if you smoke. 

When you smoke, it affects your circulatory system in ways that make it difficult for your body to send oxygenated blood to heal your facelift incisions. Smoking narrows your blood vessels and thickens your blood, which makes it challenging for your circulatory system to efficiently send oxygen to your facial tissues where you need it most to heal the incisions. 

Thanks to the chemicals in cigarette smoke, your body will also have a harder time fighting infection after surgery. So, if you’re a nonsmoker who wants a facelift, you’re one step ahead of the game. If you do smoke, Dr. Davila recommends that you stop smoking and all nicotine use (like gum or patches) at least six weeks before your facelift surgery. 

After surgery, you should refrain from smoking for at least two months (or indefinitely) while your body recovers completely. 

YOU ENJOY ALCOHOL IN MODERATION

Most adults have heard that alcohol in moderation has health benefits -- it may lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, it can boost your brain power, and it may even help reduce body fat. If you drink a single glass of wine just a few times a week, say, “Cheers!” to being the perfect facelift candidate. 

However, if you drink alcohol in excess, it can cause problems with medications during and after surgery, and even interfere with the effects of general anesthesia. Alcohol also dehydrates your body, which isn’t good for skin elasticity. Overindulging in alcohol on regular basis can put your facelift plans on hold. 

YOU PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM SUN DAMAGE

As an adult who maybe didn’t always use sunscreen in your younger years, you’ve read the research about sun damage and its negative effects on aging skin -- not to mention the health risks of skin cancer -- and you never leave the house without protecting your face. That’s a good thing for your health, and it also makes you an ideal candidate for a facelift. Just be sure to continue to protect your face from the sun after surgery, so you can enjoy the maximum benefits of a younger-looking visage for years to come. 

YOU HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

A facelift isn’t a cure-all for every outward sign of aging on your face. If you have crow’s feet around your eyes or deep lines across your forehead, you may want to combine your facelift with additional procedures to address those issues. Remember: a facelift focuses on improving the signs of aging around the lower part of your face, including: 

• Deep folds around your nose and mouth

• Sagging jawline and jowls

• Loose skin under your chin

• Loss of cheek volume

If you realize a facelift won’t change your appearance completely and won’t stop the aging clock, but rather turn it back several years so your skin is smoother, firmer, and you look more youthful, then you’re a perfect facelift candidate. 

FIT THE DESCRIPTION?

If you’re an impeccable candidate, Dr. Davila discusses your goals and what you can realistically expect for your desired outcome with facelift surgery. Ultimately, he helps you choose the best procedures for your individual needs. A facelift is just one of the many options that can help you appear as if you really did drink from the fountain of youth. 

To learn more, call the office to schedule your personal consultation today.