If you’re concerned about excess skin on the face and neck, a facelift (meloplasty) may redefine the area. However, when it comes to what makes a suitable facelift candidate, there are a few factors that may determine whether or not you are suitable for the procedure.
Discussing these factors during a consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr Sawhney is a way to determine if a facelift is an option for you. In the meantime, here is our guide to what generally makes a suitable facelift candidate, so that you can know what to expect before your in-person appointment at our Gold Coast clinic.
What can a facelift achieve
By removing excess skin, tightening facial tissue and redefining the jawline, a facelift may alter the signs of ageing that is sagging skin, or skin laxity. Volume loss, jowls (fat pads that have moved downwards on the jaw), nasolabial folds and wrinkles may be addressed with the surgical procedure, basing the procedure steps on the specific personal concerns of each patient.
The procedure can address the neck as well as the face to achieve balance. It may be performed in conjunction with a dermal filler or lip filler treatment, designed to restore lost volume on the face and achieve more volume in your lips. This volume can also be added by fat transfer which is more permanent. Dr Sawhney can advise you on these options during your consultation.
A facelift achieves permanent results, however, does not stop the natural ageing process altogether. While ageing skin can still become present later in life, undergoing a facelift can still prevent signs of ageing from becoming as significant as they may have appeared without having undergone the procedure.
A suitable facelift candidate
Generally, a suitable facelift candidate will have enough sagging in the mid-facial area, migrated excess fat and excess facial and neck skin to address with surgery. Patients should be in good physical health, and be willing to quit smoking for up to six weeks before and after the procedure, or for a set period of time as recommended by Dr Sawhney.
Ideal candidates will hold realistic expectations towards what a facelift can achieve, and be able to clearly communicate the specific aesthetic concerns that they would like to address with the procedure.
A suitable facelift candidate should also be open to following specific recovery and aftercare advice, supporting the body’s natural healing process. These instructions can involve avoiding strenuous exercise, keeping incision sites clean and following a healthy diet. Recovery instructions are personalised, so it is important to understand the steps you may need to take, according to your individual needs.
Candidates should be able to take some time away from work or their usual daily routine to get sufficient rest after the surgery. Recovery from a facelift can take about four weeks, requiring about two weeks of wearing a facial garment day and night, so suitable candidates should be able to accommodate this. To learn more about what can be required during recovery, head over to our facelift procedure page.
Contraindications to a facelift
Unfortunately, some candidates may not be suitable for a facelift. Factors that prevent someone from being a suitable facelift candidate can include health conditions that hinder sufficient healing, smoking habits, pregnancy or breast feeding, allergies to anaesthesia and having unrealistic expectations.
Some of these contraindications could raise the risk of encountering post-procedural complications, that may need medical attention or even revision surgery to address. While some of the potential risks of surgery can be minimised by following certain precautions before the procedure and during recovery, such as switching medications, some contraindications will unfortunately mean that a patient may need to seek alternative treatments or re-assess their suitability for surgery later in life.
For candidates with minor skin laxity and less significant signs of ageing, non-surgical treatments such as BBL Skin Tightening, Radiofrequency Needling (Lumenis) and Fat Dissolving Injections can achieve effective results.
If, after reading the listed contraindications, you aren’t confident that you are a suitable facelift candidate, we recommend booking a consultation to discuss your needs. Dr Raja Sawhney can assess your features, concerns and desired treatment outcome to recommend the most suitable treatment for you.
Before your consultation
To help your surgeon determine if you are a suitable facelift candidate, you can take some steps to ensure that you are prepared for your consultation.
Firstly, assess your features and get clear about what your specific aesthetic concerns are. Decide what you would like to address with surgery, so that your surgeon will be able to determine the right method moving forward.
Next, think about your desired outcome. Picture what results you would like to achieve, and make sure that you stay realistic. Remember that a facelift is designed to remove and tighten excess facial and neck tissue, altering facial contour.
Last, but not least, think about your health history and any medications you are currently taking. It is crucial to be clear with your surgeon about the condition of your health, and notify them of all medications you take. Don’t forget allergies, any history of keloid scarring, and habits such as smoking.
Dr Raja Sawhney: Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Director of Sculpted Clinic, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Gold Coast University and Robina Hospitals, Dr Raja Sawhney delivers a supportive and patient-centred approach to facelift procedures.
Drawing from his extensive surgical experience and passion for facial aesthetics, he aims to deliver the most ideal results for each and every unique patient. In Australia, he has trained with some of the most experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons, as well as refined his own advanced surgical techniques.
A consultation with the experienced surgeon will determine if you are a suitable facelift candidate, or can help you to find an alternative treatment option should you not meet certain requirements.
Whether you feel that you are a suitable facelift candidate or not, we recommend booking an in-person consultation to discuss your variety of treatment options. Contact our team at Sculpted to arrange a consultation, or send us an enquiry. Alternatively, you can use our live chat, which you can find on the bottom right of your screen.
