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3 Factors That Make a Great Facelift

Posted May 04, 2017 in Facelift Surgery

We’ve all seen them—the celebrity horror pictures of botched facelifts. The sensationalism of these terrible procedures may give us the idea that facial surgery leaves people looking permanently surprised or wind-swept, and most people would rather look naturally aged than unnaturally altered. The truth is that a bad facelift is completely avoidable, and most patients achieve beautiful, youthful results. These 3 factors play the largest role in affecting the quality of your facelift results.

Facelift patient by Dr. Carpenter1. Surgeon’s Experience

Performing a quality facelift requires years of experience and detailed knowledge of facial anatomy. Poor facelift results are often created when the surgeon doesn’t have the necessary understanding of what is needed to achieve amazing results. An excellent way to tell if your surgeon has the skills necessary to perform your facelift is to check if they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Surgeons like Dr. Carpenter, who has over 24 years of plastic and reconstructive surgery experience, become board certified because it shows patients that they are knowledgeable and dedicated to excellence. To become board certified, a surgeon has to pass a series of tests with ABPS that demonstrate their technical expertise, commitment to innovation, and dedication to patient safety.

2. Deep SMAS Correction

Short-lived facelifts are often the result of a surgeon only providing you with surface correction. Instead, Dr. Carpenter performs a deep superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift to address the underlying muscular layer of the face. Gravity and aging cause the muscles of the face to droop, so if just the skin is tightened, aging muscles still show through. Lifting and repositioning the muscular layers of the face will provide you with a more dramatic facelift that will last longer than other techniques.

3. Being the Right Candidate

Since facelift surgery is the most commonly known anti-aging procedure, many patients may not realize that their facial aging could be corrected with a different procedure. A facelift is designed to treat skin laxity and drooping of the lower face from the cheeks to the jawline. If you have aging of the upper face or suffer from wrinkles, a facelift may not provide you with the correction you are looking for. Dr. Carpenter will evaluate your facial needs during your consultation to determine if you are the best candidate for a facelift. If you are not, he may recommend a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or BOTOX® Cosmetic to address your specific needs.

If you are ready to see how a facelift can transform your appearance, schedule your consultation with Dr. Carpenter today. Call our office at (214) 827-8407 or contact us online.