Everyone wants to feel confident in their appearance, but one problem which will take its toll on all of us is aging. Throughout both the face and body, the years begin to show up gradually, and while everyone ages in their own unique way, there are some signs of aging which are nearly universal. Fortunately, for each of these cosmetic concerns, there is a surgical or non-surgical way to minimize it.
Sagging skin throughout the face and/or neck
While wrinkles alone may not warrant plastic surgery, if you’ve noticed that your skin is more lax and has begun to sag, it may be time for either a facelift, a short scar facelift, or a neck lift. While the neck lift is generally for patients who are happy with their facial appearance but have seen significant sagging throughout the neck area, those who want to rejuvenate both their face and neck are often better candidates for a traditional facelift. However, many patients who want to focus their efforts on the face can reach their desired results with a minimally invasive short scar facelift instead.
Drooping breasts
For many women, time and aging skin can cause their breasts to take on a less desirable shape, and this is especially likely for those who have experienced weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. A breast lift can maintain the current size while lifting the breasts to a more youthful position, and for women who would also like their breasts to be larger or smaller, a breast augmentation or reduction can often be performed during the same surgery.
Age spots and wrinkles
Patients who either haven’t experienced enough skin laxity to require a facelift or who want to address surface imperfections like age spots may be candidates for laser skin resurfacing. This is a non-surgical treatment which uses a laser to remove damaged surface skin. At the same time, the laser helps the deeper layers of skin to produce more collagen, the protein which keeps your skin looking young and firm. The result is a more even and youthful complexion.
Sagging skin throughout the body
It’s all too easy to see your facial skin lose volume and firmness as your body produces less collagen over time, but this same process happens with the rest of your skin as well. Whether your skin laxity is caused by aging alone or has been worsened because of weight fluctuations or pregnancy, surgeries like the tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift can remove excess skin for a younger and more toned appearance.
Bags under the eyes or “hooded” eyelids
The effects of gravity and the changes your skin goes through over the years can sometimes make the natural fat deposits below your eyes more pronounced, and can also lead to sagging skin above your eyes, giving your eyelids a “hooded” appearance. These issues can be addressed with eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) of either the upper or lower eyelids or both, depending on your specific needs.
Aging effects everyone at different rates and in different ways, so it’s important to base your plastic surgery decisions on your specific needs and desired results, not on what others your age are getting done. To discuss your aesthetic options, schedule a consultation with me, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful information about plastic surgery, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.