Improving Your Health

« Back to Home

Facelift Tips That Will Help To Minimize Scarring

Posted on

If you have recently noticed sagging skin and wrinkles on your face, then your body has started to succumb to the effects of the aging process. If this is extremely bothersome to you, then you can speak with a plastic surgeon about a facelift. Facelifts are performed to remove the excess skin from the face. The skin is first tightened and the extra tissue is then trimmed away. The process does require some fairly extensive incisions around the face, which can cause scarring. You can reduce some scarring concerns with the following tips.

Opt For A Mini Facelfit

During a traditional facelift, your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with general anesthesia. Afterwards, deep cuts are made in the skin that reach down through the layer of fat that sits just underneath the dermis. During a traditional facelift, incisions are made around the ears and along the right and left sides of the face where the hairline meets the ears. A small incision is made underneath the chin. If the middle of the face needs to be tightened, then cuts will be created around the eyelids and along the hairline that sits close to your forehead. 

If you decide to go with a traditional facelift, then you will likely need several long incisions, and the scars may be visible once you heal. To avoid this, you can opt for a mini facelift instead of a traditional full facelift. 

A mini facelift will not tighten the face as well as a full facelift. However, if you only have mild sagging around the cheeks, jaw, or eyes, then the procedure is a good choice. Your doctor will create small incisions around the ears or along the hairline just above the ears. A single incision underneath the chin may be planned as well. Smaller incisions mean less scarring. The mini facelift also has the added benefit of not requiring general anesthesia in all cases. Local anesthesia and the administration of a mild sedative may be all that is required. This can reduce anesthesia complication risks and minimize post-op time spent in a hospital or clinic.

Help Your Body Build Collagen

When the skin is broken, your body will repair the area by closing up the wound. The body must produce new cells that fill in the space, and the cells are made up of connective tissue. This tissue is called collagen, and it is formed by the body out of protein. Collagen is formed in smooth bands of tissue, and the protein bands build across the gap between the broken skin. The strands build until the gap is filled in completely. Alternatively, collagen can form in continuous bands, which will create a smooth scar.

However, if your body does not have enough nutrients to form collagen, then connective tissue formation will occur in sessions. Collagen will build on top of previously formed tissues. This will create an uneven scar with a rough surface. To avoid this, make sure to consume more than enough protein after your surgery so collagen can be produced in abundance. This will help to ensure that tissue is smooth and scars are less visible. Eat low-fat meats, eggs, lentils, beans, soy, nuts, yogurt, and cheese to provide your body with enough protein to form collagen.

Your body also needs a good deal of vitamin C to turn consumed protein into collagen. This means you should add some citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, and bell peppers to your diet as well. Drink plenty of water too. Water is needed when collagen is produced, and fluid will help to keep the skin healthy as well so scars are not as unsightly.  

For more information on facelifts, check out a website like http://www.myplasticsurgerygroup.com.


Share