Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons In National Harbor Accepting New Patients Near Washington DC, Arlington, Fort Washington, Maryland & Virginia

Facial Aging

Aging is a natural process that affects all parts of the body, including the face. Here’s a description of the changes that occur in the face as a person ages:

  • Skin Changes: The skin loses elasticity and collagen, resulting in sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines. The rate at which new skin cells are produced slows down, leading to dull, dry skin. Age spots, freckles, and other types of hyperpigmentation may also appear due to years of sun exposure.
  • Volume Loss: Facial fat distribution changes over time. Cheek fat descends, which can lead to a hollow, sunken appearance. This leads to the accumulation of fat in other areas leading to the formation of jowls and under eye bags.
  • Formation of Facial Folds: The cause of nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowling is a combination of saggy facial skin, descended facial fat, and loss of facial fat.
  • Bone Structure Alterations: The facial bones may also undergo resorption, which can alter the overall facial structure. This can lead to a reduction in the height of the lower face, receding of the jawline, sagging of the chin and changes to the eye socket that can give the appearance of sunken eyes.
  • Changes in Facial Expression and Wrinkles: As muscle tone decreases, static wrinkles may form, which are lines that appear even when the face is at rest. This can lead to changes in facial expression, making the individual look tired or sad.
  • Changes in the Eyes: The skin around the eyes may sag or droop, leading to hooded or droopy eyelids. The whites of the eyes may also yellow or become less bright. These changes occur at different rates and to different extents in different individuals due to factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift in Maryland and DC, also called a “rhytidectomy,” makes the saggy skin on your face and neck smoother and its underlying tissue tighter, as well as eliminating unwanted fat. Your facial skin will appear firmer and fresher. Learn more about this popular facial plastic surgery procedure by scheduling a consultation with us today.

What Are the Different Kinds of Facelifts?

Mini facelift

This is a smaller version of an imbrication or a plication facelift. A minimal downtime, that also has reduced longevity and effect. Most trademarked facelifts fall in this mini facelift category.

High or Lateral SMAS

A SMASectomy is performed where a strip of SMAS is removed and the edges stitched together either vertically, horizontally or obliquely.

Deep Plane Facelift

A dissection is performed under the SMAS, and it starts further from the ears towards the center of the face. The deep retaining ligaments of the face are released allowing the neck, jowl and mid face move upwards together in a natural vector.

The Best Candidates For A Facelift

If any of the following describes you, you may be a good candidate for a facelift from Dr. Chiaramonte and Dr. Costeloe:

  • Jowling or the loss of a defined jawline
  • Deep lines in the cheek region and sagginess of the cheekbone area
  • Saggy skin, lines, vertical “cords,” or surplus fat appearing around the neck

A facelift can help and in some cases eliminate all of these features. Dr. Chiaramonte and Dr. Costeloe would encourage you to request a consultation if you are considering facelift surgery in Maryland and DC so that you can learn more about this procedure and receive a professional opinion about your cosmetic needs.

The Facelift Surgery Procedure in Oxon Hills, MD

Although there are many methods to the facelift surgery in Maryland and DC, it usually begins with a surgical incision that is then concealed in the contour of your ear, extending around the lobe and back into your hairline. Following surgery, sutures can be conveniently hidden by your hair. You may also have a small cut tucked underneath your chin. Through carefully planned facelift incisions, our board-certified surgeons remove the skin from the flesh to the extent needed by whichever method they have chosen. After the skin has been repositioned, any excess is removed. In some cases, the underlying flesh must also be moved in order to restore a sleek and young-appearing profile to the face. If appropriate, a minor incision underneath the chin can permit the suction of fat from the area, while the cord-like muscles of the neck can be smoothed and shaped.

When your procedure is over, you will be brought into a recovery area where medical professionals will monitor your condition. A gauze wrapping may have been swathed around your face to help minimize any inflammation. Small drains may have been put into place to help sluice away any fluid from the surgical site; however, they are virtually painless. In fact, the surgery involves significantly little discomfort.

What Can I Expect At My Facelift Consultation?

At your first visit to discuss the prospect of facelift surgery in in Maryland and DC, Dr. Chiaramonte and Dr. Costeloe will spend a considerable amount of time to ensure that you are a good candidate, that you understand how your facelift may be performed, and what to expect. Our surgeons will perform a careful, thorough examination of your facial anatomy and will discuss with you their findings as they relate to the condition of your skin, as well as the underlying fat and muscle. Each of these forms of tissue contributes to your overall face shape, and each is affected by the aging process. You’ll have ample opportunity to ask questions about your procedure and also discuss your desired, expected outcome.

Will I Look Stretched Or Tight After My Facelift?

It is imperative that you select your plastic surgeon with immense care. The techniques that are usually employed during facelift procedures in Maryland and DC are much different than they once were. Initially, facelift surgery focused only on the skin. Today, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying tissue to gain greater access for repositioning and tightening. The repositioning of fat and muscle can help lift and enhance your facial contours before your skin is smoothed into place. This type of approach minimizes skin removal to the bare minimum to achieve noticeable but natural-looking results.

How Much Time Off Do I Need For Facelift Recovery?

Provided that your job does not require heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or other strenuous activities, you might be ready to go back to work as soon as one to two weeks after your facelift surgery in Maryland and DC. At that time, the majority of your swelling and bruising should have subsided. If you feel more concerned about your cosmetic appearance, you may want to schedule three weeks off work. After two weeks, though, what bruising does remain should be disguisable with makeup.

How Long Will It Take For My Facelift Scars To Heal?

All Maryland and DC facelift patients are prepared for the aspect of scarring. This is an inevitable part of any surgery, regardless of the skill of the surgeon, the type of incision, and any other factors. In fact, scar maturation is one of the longest-lasting phases of surgical recovery. It can take up to one year for scars to fully heal into flatter, lighter skin. Initially, the body begins to lay down a new foundation for the skin where your incisions are located. The foundation is there, but it’s not as strong as it needs to be. For this to happen, the body then replaces some of the weaker tissue with healthy new collagen. This is referred to as collagen remodeling. During this phase, the scar may look thick and red for up to a few months. During the next phase of scar maturation, the red, thick skin flattens and gets lighter. You can help your body’s natural tissue recovery with certain treatments, such as our scar treatment cream.

After Your Facelift Surgery

After your facelift procedure in Maryland and DC, you will be instructed to avoid strenuous activity and just take it easy for a few days. You should elevate your head during sleep, which minimizes any bruises that may appear and helps the site not to swell. It is very important to keep in mind that you must not use aspirin or some specific anti-inflammatory medications; also, you shouldn’t smoke or inhale large amounts of second-hand smoke.

Any wrappings and drains will usually be removed in 1 or 2 days. At this time, you will see that your face is experiencing some puffiness and discoloration. Some lack of facial symmetry can be attributable to the natural variance in inflammation and discoloration, which is very normal. In many cases, the most extreme swelling will occur 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, but it may take a few weeks before all puffiness is resolved. Most discoloration will fade within two weeks. After a few days, you can use cosmetics to conceal the bruising. Lack of sensation in the area is also normal, which may occur for a few weeks or longer. Your sutures will be taken out from 4 to 10 days after surgery.

Getting Back To Normal

You should refrain from strenuous exercise immediately after the procedure. Generally, you may resume most of your day-to-day routine within 2 weeks and start exercising 3 to 4 weeks after the operation. You will be asked to forgo exposure to sunlight and, in the following months and years, be very careful about using sunscreen products to protect your skin.

Your New Look

The effects of the operation may be overt or understated, depending on your features before the operation as well as the exact aspirations that you and your surgeon talked about. Because the healing period takes place gradually, presume that you will be waiting for at least a period of a few weeks for a precise image of your “new face.” Additional minor shifts, or settling, may be exhibited over several months.

Facelift Cost

During your consultation with Dr. Chiaramonte and Dr. Costeloe, they will discuss your options and recommend the treatment they believe is right for you.  They will also discuss additional financing options available for your facelift surgery in Maryland and DC.

Schedule Your Facelift Consultation In Oxon Hills, MD

To learn more about undergoing a facelift in Maryland and DC with our board-certified plastic surgeons, request a consultation online or call 301-567-6767 today.

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