Benefits and Risks of Facelift Surgery

Benefits and Risks of Facelift Without Surgery
If you are considering a nonsurgical facelift procedure, the first thing you should do is schedule a consultation to determine what types of facelift procedures may be right for you.
It is also important to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of a non-surgical facelift as well as the risks involved, which are detailed below. As is the case with all procedures, a nonsurgical facelift may or may not be the right treatment option for your specific needs and/or treatment goals. To help you decide whether you are a good candidate for a nonsurgical face lift, consider the following benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of a nonsurgical facelift include:
* Safe: Although there is still some risk involved, a nonsurgical facelift does not require general anesthesia and is far less invasive than a surgical facelift. Though unlikely, having a surgical facelift does involve the risk of facial paralysis, scarring, infection, and even permanent disfigurement.
* No downtime: The recovery process following a nonsurgical face lift is much faster and requires fewer aftercare instructions, with patients typically experiencing bruising, redness, or minor swelling at the worst. Some procedures can even be completed in 15-30 minutes, after which you can return to your normal activities.
* Affordable: Surgical facelifts are significantly more expensive than nonsurgical facelifts and include additional costs beyond the procedure itself, such as anesthesia, medications, and usage of a hospital.
* Natural looking result: Unlike traditional surgical facelifts, which can result in a somewhat unnatural appearance, a nonsurgical facelift is much subtler, and can adjust facial contours or fill in wrinkles and deep lines without risking disfigurement. Because you are not under sedation while the procedure is occurring, you also have the opportunity to weigh in on final results.

Drawbacks of a nonsurgical facelift include:
* Repeated treatments are necessary
* Results are not as dramatic as a surgical face lift
* Added costs over a period of time

Following your facelift procedure, it is important to remember that nonsurgical facelifts will improve the areas you have focused on but will not have the same dramatic affect as a surgical facelift will have. It is also important to remember that results will vary and depend largely on factors such as lifestyle (whether you are a smoker or are exposed to a lot of sun), your body’s natural healing response, and the texture and thickness of your skin.
Possible Risks
While there are less risks involved in nonsurgical facelifts compared to surgical facelifts, it is important to be aware that there are still some risks involved. For example, Botox injections may cause temporary facial drooping, nausea, headaches, and bruising. Following a laser skin resurfacing treatment, there is a small risk of scarring, swelling, acne flare, and bacterial infection. Before scheduling this or any other procedure, it is important to have a candid conversation with your clinician so that you have a clear understanding of what risks are involved, the severity of those risks, and if there is anything you can do to avoid or reduce your likelihood of experiencing these complications, along with aftercare instructions to facilitate the recovery process.