Younger, cleaner looking skin is a highly coveted feature, and in this day in age, a commodity. As we age, our skin slowly sags, which in turn causes wrinkles that can make us look even older. This, along with blemishes caused by heredity and exposure to excess sunlight can all serve to diminish the youthful appearance you once had. As depressing as it may seem, one solution for countering the effects of aging is a facelift. A rhytidectomy is a plastic surgery procedure that involves making an incision to remove excess skin and subsequently firm and tone that which is left behind. In the simplest terms, it is a medical procedure designed to make the skin on your face taut, and this is why it works so well at eliminating wrinkles, drooping cheeks, and the other problems which plague us as we get older.

If you are considering getting a Facelift surgery, understanding how long the recovery process takes as well as what to expect is imperative. Be advised that people who smoke or who have very little skin elasticity, such as individuals over the age of 70, should not get a facelift. In addition, this procedure is not recommended and generally not performed on patients under the age of 40, as it is both not necessary and can pose a number of potential problems due to tightening skin that is better off being treated with facial creams and other alternative forms of treatment.

How Long Does it Take to recover from a Facelift?

• The initial recovery phase lasts approximately a week, but varies by patient. The common symptoms experienced during this period include skin that is tender to the touch, swelling and bruising near and around the incision site, as well as discomfort that may be associated with mild pain. To alleviate the latter, your plastic surgeon can prescribe painkillers to ease the sensations. Given the delicate state your face will be in at this time, it will also be more susceptible to infections; as such, you will also have to take antibiotics. The most important thing to do is to never stray from your doctor’s orders. Listen to what they say and act on it, as this will ensure a safe and effective recovery.
• You can resume normal activities such as going to school or work within a couple of weeks, although you will probably have to wear makeup if you want to mask the swelling and bruising. Your face will look far from perfect, but just know with proper care you will have a new look in no time.
• The healing process can take up to a year to fully complete. The one thing to keep in mind throughout the following months is that residual swelling will occur. As long as you maintain proper facial health, however, it should not last long. You will see the results of the facelift within a few weeks, but it takes much longer for your body to recover all the way.

About Author : This article is a medical student whose interest lies in facelift surgery in Toronto and anything related to the beauty enhancement techniques. She spends a good share of her time in exploring more about the new techniques of plastic surgery.
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