How to ensure your facelift results stand the test of time
It is said that the better you look after something, the longer it will last, and plastic surgeons are suggesting that this is exactly how we should be thinking about any aesthetic procedures we undergo.
Cosmetic surgery is elective, in that it’s not really necessary for a medical reason, but purely to improve how we look. Once the initial healing process is over and our results are revealed, this is often the optimum time in terms of patient satisfaction, as time and lifestyle continue to have an impact on how we appear.
Anti-ageing procedures such as the facelift are a case in point. A good facelift should reset the ageing process by a number of years, but it can’t stop it entirely. That said, there are a number of things that patients can do to help ensure that the work they have done keeps them looking younger or better for longer. We look at how those who have undergone a facelift can ensure that its effects stand the test of time.
Protect your facelift results: look after your body and it will look after you
The best starting point to ensure that work you have had done heals fast and looks healthy is to ensure that you are giving it the necessary vitamins and minerals. For those who have undergone a facelift, they will want their skin to look and feel nourished and smooth. Your skin naturally regenerates by producing collagen, the component that helps your skin look naturally firm and youthful, and over time, collagen supplies can decrease, which is part of what makes our skin look older.
There are foods that can be consumed that give your body a helping hand in producing more collagen, so these are a great idea to weave into your diet to try and ensure that facial cosmetic work lasts as long as possible. Foods that contain vitamin C are recommended, as this vitamin is vital in the creation of collagen. Citrus fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, as do fruits like kiwis and strawberries. Dark green, leafy vegetables like broccoli, sprouts and kale also contain plenty, as do tomatoes.
Protect your facelift results: quit smoking
Smoking is a well-known factor for causing the skin to age, so kicking the habit is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Smoking causes ‘oxidative stress’ which means it restricts the amount of oxygen that is able to get to your skin. Oxygen is vital for keeping skin healthy in lots of ways which is why smoking results in older, more tired-looking skin.
Protect your facelift results: respect the sun
The sun’s rays are harmful to skin of all ages so ensure that you wear a high factor sun cream when you are out and about. UV rays are able to do damage even when it’s cloudy so make sure you wear sun protection all year round. A lot of the better moisturisers and foundations contain sun cream, so if you apply either (or both) on a regular basis this can be a great way to weave sunscreen into your facial care routine.