Are you considering a facelift? Here are four simple and easy ways to care for your skin after the treatment to speed up your recovery and enjoy long-lasting results.
A facelift surgery is one of the most popular and frequently requested facial rejuvenation treatments in Canada. It can help restore a more natural, youthful appearance to your face and is often used to address concerns such as:
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Loss of muscle tone in the face and neck
- Jowls
- Deep creases between the corners of your mouth and the base of your nose
- Loss of chin and neck contours
Visit Alberta Plastics Today
Modern facelift techniques are more sophisticated than ever, capable of making you look years younger. Dr. Ladak has extensive training in facial plastic surgery and can develop a customized facelift surgery, or any other skin treatment, to help you achieve all your aesthetic goals.
Want to know how we can help rejuvenate your appearance?
Caring For Your Skin After a Facelift Treatment
A facelift is a serious surgical procedure that can help patients look years younger by removing facial wrinkles and tightening loose facial skin and muscles.
However, as with all cosmetic skin treatments and surgeries, it’s crucial to allow for adequate healing time and to follow your plastic surgeon’s post-treatment care tips to ensure the safest, most satisfying results.
Here are four tips for caring after your skin after a facelift treatment:
1. Protect Your Skin From the Sun
For approximately 2 weeks after your facelift, it’s very important that you be vigilant about protecting your skin from overexposure to the sun. Failing to do so can lead to:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Darker incision scars
- An increase in swelling and bleeding
- Skin inflammation
This care should carry on for several months after your treatment to ensure your skin stays in excellent condition. When you do go outside, make sure to use a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses to shield any incisions around your eyes, and applying sunblock (SPF 30/40) regularly.
2. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your facelift. Staying hydrated is extremely beneficial for the skin, helping it remain fresh and moist. It also helps speed up the recovery process by flushing out all the harmful toxins from your system.
FACELIFT RECOVERY TIP: Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day and eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
3. Be Careful With Your Makeup
When to start using make-up is one of the most commonly asked questions by patients who have undergone a facelift. Typically, your surgeon will recommend waiting for at least 1 week before starting to use cosmetics.
Wearing makeup too soon after the skin treatment can lead to some unwanted side effects such as:
- Irritation in the areas near the incisions
- Interference with healing, as you may pull or tug on the skin when applying it
- Infections if any makeup gets into your wounds
Types of Makeup
After a facelift, some types of makeup are better to use than others. Since the skin is usually still delicate, it’s a good idea to consider makeup that is gentle and can be removed easily, such as mineral makeup or anything that is water-based.
AVOID: Oil-based cosmetics as they can irritate your still-healing skin and are often more challenging to remove.
4. Keep Your Head Elevated
For the first couple of weeks after your facelift, it’s important to keep your head elevated while you are sleeping to prevent swelling and promote healing. The trick is to keep your head above your heart.
Experiment with different types and amounts of pillows to help you sleep comfortably while keeping your head sufficiently raised.
Call Today
To find out more about our wide range of cosmetic surgeries and skin treatments, including facelifts and Botox, contact Dr. Ladak at 780-407-6691 or use our contact form below.
Dr. Adil Ladak is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Edmonton, Alberta and specializes in a variety of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures.