July 2021

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Preparing and Caring For Your Facelift

Facial aging isn’t always correctable with injectables and lasers. At some point, many people consider the value of a surgical facelift. Here, we discuss what may be necessary before and after this procedure to get the best results. 

The first step in the facelift process is our consultation. Dr. Fante spend a good deal of time with each patient to understand their concerns, their desired outcome and expectations, and also their current state of health. A thorough medical history includes talking about previous surgeries, chronic health conditions, and a list of all current medications and supplements. The consultation also involves questions that help the patient determine that we are the right office to address their needs. 

Common facelift questions include:

  • What are the risks involved with this procedure?
  • Is there a non-surgical alternative that might achieve comparable results?
  • What is the typical recovery time from facelift surgery?
  • How long will the surgery take?
  • What kind of anesthesia is used during a facelift?

Patients should also ask questions about their surgeon’s training and experience performing this procedure. It should not be assumed that every doctor who offers facelift surgery is an expert at performing this technique. Dr. Fante is happy to discuss particulars about their educational background and successful facelift cases with new patients. 

Preparing for Your Facelift

Before your facelift, it is necessary to:

  • Pick up prescription medications well before surgery.
  • Stop taking certain medications, such as aspiring, at least one week before surgery. If you are taking a prescription blood-thinner, your surgeon may advise you to have this changed for a short time. 
  • Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery, ideally 4.
  • Get your hair done! This is an easily-overlooked aspect of surgery. Facelift patients cannot get a hair color treatment for several weeks so, if they prefer, should schedule their routine service about a week before surgery.

In addition to these few guidelines, patients can also expect a more detailed outline from our office, which they should strictly follow. 

Post-Surgical Facial Care

Facelift recovery need not be stressful or intolerably uncomfortable. Patients are encouraged to take prescription pain medication as directed for at least 2 days. This prevents pain from developing in the first place and avoids having to “chase” pain unnecessarily. Comfort can also be managed with ice packs, so these should be purchased ahead of time. The doctor may also advise purchasing specific ointments or creams to apply to incisions as they heal.

We have the goal to provide our patients with the best surgical experience and the most satisfying outcome possible. To learn more about this procedure, schedule an appointment at our Denver office by calling  (303) 839-1616.

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Help! My Neck is Aging Faster Than the Rest of Me!

We know that various aspects of our appearance will change as we get older. We may anticipate a few worry lines, some laugh lines or crow’s feet (which can be eradicated with Botox). However, most people do not consider the fact that their neck may also age. This area of the body is delicate, just like the face. The skin here is susceptible to aging and also vulnerable to sun damage.  Come to find out, there may be additional factors that make the neck appear older, faster. 

Is our Love of Electronics to Blame?

If you are part of the current age of technology (and, hint, if you’re reading this, you are), then you use a screen of some sort. The screens that we’ve become somewhat addicted to and reliant upon have gotten smaller over the years. We now hold our screens in our hands and use them to talk, text, and surf the net at least a few times a day. According to recent research, our nationwide use of screen time increased 33 to 185%! When we look down to view a screen, we place approximately 10 pounds of weight onto the neck area. This weight presses on the skin that is relying on dwindling amounts of collagen and elastin, creating a crepe-like condition. Is technology to blame for what has been dubbed “tech neck?” Maybe not fully, but it certainly isn’t helping. 

The neck ages for similar reasons that the face and other areas age. The body simply doesn’t produce as much collagen and elastin as is needed for optimal firmness. The neck is also encompassed by two muscles called the platysma that run up the sides of the neck. Like the skin, the platysma muscles are prone to sagging due to the effects of gravity. 

How to Manage an Aging Neck

The best time to start managing aging skin is before the signs of aging are noticed. Optimal skin care begun during one’s twenties would include daily sunscreen usage as well as nightly cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. At that time of life, the body slows its production of vital chemicals. By age 50, then, there is virtually none left to meet the needs of the skin. The collagen that does remain isn’t the strongest, either. It is frayed and weak due to lack of regeneration and sun exposure. The neck is somewhat of a forgotten area for most people and, because it has fewer oil glands than the face, it is more prone to sun spots, fine lines, and sagging. The laxity that results from fraying collagen and the thickening of the platysma muscles contribute to a downward pull on the jawline and lower face. This is one of the reasons we start to see jowls around middle-age.

The good news is that it’s never too late to restore youthful, slim contours to an aging neck. For the correction of mild to moderate neck laxity and submental fullness, we may recommend Allura laser facial contouring. For more profound results, a patient may be more interested in a neck or facelift, or combination thereof. To explore the treatment options that may be right for you, schedule a visit to our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

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