Common Facelift Myths

There’s no question that facelift surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures that patients undergo. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (the leading professional organization for cosmetic surgeons), there were more than 125,000 facelift procedures performed by its member surgeons just in 2015. This fact made it one of the 10 most popular procedures for that particular year.

Despite the procedure’s popularity, there remain some misconceptions about the cost, who is a good candidate, and what types of results can be expected from a facelift procedure. Our staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery hears these facelift myths from worried prospective patients on a regular basis. Below are some of the more common concerns that we hear.

Unnatural Results from a Facelift

This is, by far, the most common myth people hear about facelifts. It is true that if you look at pictures of celebrities who had facelifts back in the 1970s and 1980s, their faces look tighter than they would with today’s facelift techniques. Fortunately, there have been a number of significant advances in facial plastic surgery that allow for a much more natural look to the face. In fact, don’t be surprised if your family and friends may not immediately know that you have undergone a facelift procedure. They may notice that your face looks fresher and brighter, but it will not be obvious that you had a facelift.

Only a Full Facelift Is Possible

A related myth is that you can only get a full facelift, rather than just certain areas of the face. In fact, quite the opposite is true. If you just wish to focus on your forehead, you can have just that part lifted. Conversely, a chin lift will target your jaw area while leaving the rest of your facial features as is. This is a particularly good option for people who may not yet feel that they need a full facelift procedure.

Facelifts Are Only for Older Patients

There’s no doubt that facelift procedures do become more popular as people age (according to the ASPS, it was the second most popular procedure in 2015 among patients ages 55 and older). But that does not mean that facelifts are only meant for older patients. Some younger patients have considered facelift procedures if they lose a dramatic amount of weight, which can sometimes be reflected in facial sag, particularly under the chin. In other cases, there may be hereditary factors at work that they wish to correct in their facial features.

Only Women Undergo Facelift Procedures

While it is true that the majority of facelift procedures are performed on women, you may be surprised to know that it was the fifth most popular procedure among men in 2015, according to the ASPS. A total of 12,000 facelift procedures were performed on men in that year. These days, more men are looking at facelifts as a way to rejuvenate their facial features and look more youthful.

Of course, each patient has his or her individual goals in mind from a facelift procedure. Nevertheless, there is no reason to believe some of the more popular misconceptions about facelift procedures.