Beverly Hills Facelift Pros and Cons

When you look in the mirror and start noticing fine lines across your forehead and on your cheeks, or that the skin around your neck has started to sag, maybe it’s time for you to consider getting a Beverly Hills Facelift. 

If the changes in your physical appearance is making you wonder if you should get a facelift, then worry not. It’s actually a very common procedure, with may patients enjoying highly successful results. But it is not for the weak-hearted. A facelift is a major procedure that requires commitment. 

For this reason, we’ve come up with a list of things to consider before you decide to go under the knife and get a facelift. 

But first…What is a Facelift?

Facelift surgery refers to a facial rejuvenation procedure that can completely transform one’s appearance. It’s the best and most effective way to deal with serious sagging and deep wrinkles and folds. Facelift results usually last for a decade or more. 

The techniques for facelift can be customized depending on each patient’s anatomy and goals, but the process usually involves the removal of excess skin, lifting tissues, tightening of the underlying muscles, and re-draping the remaining skin, to make your skin and neck appear more youthful.

Facelift procedures can get quite expensive and comes with at least two weeks of downtime. But despite that, it remains one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures around the world. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (APS) reported that in 2020 alone, their members performed around 234,734 facelifts. 

Pros and Cons of a Facelift

Before you head over to the nearest Beverly Hills facelift clinic, take a look at the pros and cons of getting a facelift. 

PROS

• Facelift procedures have very high patient satisfaction, with majority of patients saying that it was “worth it.” Other patients report that they do not only look younger, but they feel younger as well. Some facelift procedures show dramatic transformations especially to older patients. 
• Modern surgical methods for Beverly Hills facelift lift the underlying facial muscles and the skin. This makes the facelift appear very natural.
• Scars are almost invisible or undetectable if the procedure is done by an experienced surgeon. 
• The results usually last at least a decade or so.

CONS

• Facelift surgery doesn’t include brow or eyelids. If you want to get your eyebrows and eyelids done, you’ll need a separate cosmetic surgery procedure for them. This can mean additional costs. 
• Facelift doesn’t fix fine lines and other skin imperfections. You’ll need to undergo additional skin rejuvenation treatments for those, which means additional expenses. 
• Side effects from the procedure includes scarring, bleeding, infection, hematoma, invisible surgical scars, and facial nerve injury with accompanying muscle weakness or paralysis.
• Requires at least two weeks of downtime recovery.
• They can be expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. 

How Much Does a Facelift Usually Cost?

Facelift costs can vary depending on the level of training and experience a surgeon has. The practice location and extend of the procedure also affects the cost of the facelift. 

A neck lift is usually included in the process, but if you also want to have an eyelid lift, forehead lift, chin implant and other procedures done, this will end up costing you more. 

It’s important that you ask your surgeon for a complete breakdown of all associated costs during the initial consultation. Find out how much you’ll have to pay in addition to your plastic surgeon’s fee. Additional expenses can include hospital or operating room access, anesthesia, pain medication, and additional medical appointments. Ask your surgeon about any supplies you need to get for at-home care after the procedure.

Because a facelift is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, your insurance will not cover it. 

When is the Best Age for a Facelift?

The best or most favorable age for a Beverly Hills facelift is usually around your late 40s and well into your 60s. However, it is also possible to have the procedure done even in your 80s. 

Patients showing visible signs of aging on the face—hollow cheeks, jowls, marionette lines, face and neck laxity, and banding in the neck—should get the procedure, especially if they are bent on doing something about looking a lot less old than they have to.

Non-smokers in good physical and mental health are the best candidates for the procedure. During the consultation, your surgeon will ask you questions related to your medical history. 

How does A Beverly Hills Facelift Work?

There are two main techniques involving full facelift surgery: an SMAS lift and a deep plane facelift. Let’s talk about these two methods below.

The SMAS, which is short for superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is one of the most important facial support structures. The SMAS lift is a facelift technique focuses mainly on the lower two-thirds of the facial region. The SMAS lift can achieve effective and long-lasting skin rejuvenation results by targeting the facial tissue’s support layers.

During the SMAS surgery the skin is lifted off the SMAS and muscle layer, which is then tightened before the skin is draped again into the deeper tissues. Any loose or excess skin is then removed. 

The Deep plane facelift is an advanced facelift procedure that tightens the underlying connective tissues of the skin known as the SMAS. This technique simultaneously lifts, drapes, and tightens the skin that covers the cheek and lower face. 

With the Deep plane facelift, the skin and SMAS are lifted and tightened together. Many proponents of this technique claim that the results are more natural-looking and longer lasting. However, studies have found no major differences between the SMAS lift and the Deep plane lift techniques on patients under 70 years of age.

For those with thicker facial skin and a full face, a deep plane lift might provide better support and results. Surgeons customize the procedure to fit each patient, so the techniques will vary depending on considerations to bodily structure, such as the face’s width and shape, skin thickness, and distribution of subcutaneous fat.