Do You Really Need a Face Lift?
How many times have you watched an awards show on TV and heard commentary on how "good" XYZ Actress looks? How about the covers of magazines? Have you ever wondered how ABC Magazine Cover Model stays so pretty and young-looking?
First of all, stop comparing yourself to celebrities. They might have really good looks, but they also have other things such as personal trainers, makeup artists, etc that aren't exactly in the average person's budget. Also, many of the pictures we see have been digitally altered in some way so as to make the person look better than they really do. A face lift, or rhytidectomy, might seem like small potatoes when compared to more extensive surgeries like a transplant or joint replacement, but it is still a major decision. Like any other major investment, it's usually in your best interests to consider all of the options before making a decision. Science has made several advances in the area of cosmetics and anti-aging, so there very well may be another alternative to cosmetic surgery that can meet your needs without having to, "go under the knife." Here are some things to consider, along with some of the best facelift alternatives.
Ask Yourself These Facelift Questions
There are always many questions to ask yourself when making an important decision. The answers to these questions can help you decide if a facelift is for you. If you decide against a rhytidectomy, these questions can help you pick out your best facelift alternatives.
- What Exactly Do I Want From This? Before making any kind of major decision, determine your expectations and whether or not they are reasonable. Face lifts and other kinds of plastic surgery can smooth wrinkles and tighten skin, but they can't get you a promotion, fix your marriage, or make you feel as though your life has meaning again.
- What Are The Risks? Please remember that plastic surgery is just that-surgery. Like any other type of surgery, facelifts and other cosmetic procedures have their risks along with their benefits. They have recovery times, anesthesia and other things you don't see on the red carpet interviews. There is also a possibility for scarring and blistering. Unlike the scars from your gallbladder surgery, face lift scars aren't easily hidden by clothing! There may be pain afterward. Also, facelifts aren't just a one-off thing; there's no guarantee that you won't have any further skin damage and thus want further surgeries.
- Are There Viable Alternatives? Depending on your expectations, there may be less expensive and/or less invasive ways to get your desired look. Pretty much every drugstore or beauty counter has a variety of different creams that claim to reduce fine lines or rejuvenate skin. Products such as Olay Regenerist contain ingredients to help boost the skin's collagen levels to help it retain the firmness found in younger skin. Many center around the eyes, while others center around the cheeks and lip lines. They won't give you the dramatic results a face lift will, but they can be a good place to start if you're still trying to decide if a rhytidectomy is the best option for you. Another recent innovation revolves around using heat to stimulate collagen production in the skin. Depending on which method you choose, radio-frequency or infrared energy is used to heat the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin). This causes the skin to create new collagen while renewing existing collagen. This makes the skin look tighter and firmer. Heat treatments are very new, however, so their long-term results aren't yet completely known.
- Can I Afford It? If you decide to go for a rhytidectomy, be prepared to shell out some serious cash. Depending on where you are and what you have done, face lifts can average around $6000, not counting anesthesia, preparatory testing and prescriptions. Unless they are reconstructive, many medical insurance companies will not cover facial cosmetic surgeries. Heat treatments can run you between $500-$5000, depending on method and number of treatments. Botox injections can run in the $400 range, and various anti-aging cosmetic creams run between $18-$135.
With its many complex layers and dimensions, beauty is something people of any age strive to achieve. While it's an individual choice to under go cosmetic surgery, it's important that you know some of the best facelift alternatives before making any major decisions.
