One surgical procedure has set the gold standard for decades when it comes to anti-aging treatments. The facelift is still one of the most commonly requested plastic surgeries. Have you ever considered getting a lift? Many of our patients opt for this surgery to reshape the delicate tissue of the face and neck. This one surgery can take years of aging off of your face and neck.

However, no surgery comes without risks. Many patients are turned off of the idea of a facelift because it comes with a few drawbacks, most notably, its invasiveness and prolonged recovery time. Although the results of this procedure can be so impressive, we still have lots of patients lining up each year to schedule a lift. 

If you’d considered getting a lift, this article is for you! We’re going to present you with the pros and cons of facelifts and present you with some excellent non-surgical alternatives so you can find the best treatment for you!

Benefits of a Surgical Facelift

You aren’t the first person to ask, “Is it worth it?” Realself.com ran a poll asking patients who received a facelift to answer those very questions, and the results were an overwhelming 92% stating it was indeed worth it. The popularity of the surgery also speaks to the results of this procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, even in 2020 (when many people were avoiding surgeries and medical environments), there were still more than 200,000 facelifts performed. 

You might be more interested in how this surgery could affect you than in reading statistics. Fair enough, here are some reasons patients love facelifts

  • Fully customizable- When you opt for surgery, you can make a customized plan to adjust your face with greater detail than non-surgical options allow. You can also treat many areas extensively, such as tightening skin in some areas and lifting other regions. Working with a Double-Board-Certified surgeon such as Dr. Larsen can make all the difference between you loving or regretting your results. 
  • Longest-Lasting results- although non-surgical treatments can be long-lasting, nothing can make a more drastic improvement or last longer than surgery. Facelift surgical results can last as long as 10-15 years. Of course, we can’t stop the aging process, but having the option to stop the clock for a decade is a nice option. 
  • You get the most for your money- It’s true that facelifts cost significantly more than non-surgical options, but most patients find that this option is more cost-effective in the long run. This is because non-surgical options require continued maintenance, and you have to treat each area of the face individually instead of the whole face and neck in one procedure. 

Facelift
Before & After Photos

*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Plastic Surgery | Buckhead Plastic Surgery - Northeast AtlantaPlastic Surgery | Buckhead Plastic Surgery - Northeast Atlanta

Drawbacks of a Surgical Facelift

The main drawback of facelift surgery is that it is major surgery, unlike non-invasive options that involve risks and a lengthy recovery time. However, one of the best ways to minimize your surgical risks is working with an elite surgeon. Dr. Larsen is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon who’s been successfully and expertly performing facelift surgeries for decades. He has a long line of 5-star reviews for this procedure, and you can even view before and after pictures of other patients to review his work. 

Recovery time can be a drawback to many patients; you can plan to take at least 2-3 weeks away from your usual routine to recover. In addition, some scarring will be visible, although good surgeons can minimize this and make efforts to hide these small incisions in places like your hairline or around your ears. It’s also important to note that even though the initial recovery time will be a few weeks, you will still likely be experiencing swelling and discomfort for weeks or even months following this surgery. 

The BPS Guide to Facelifts & Neck Lifts

Best Non Surgical Facelift Alternatives

Because of these drawbacks, many patients are more interested in non-surgical alternatives; Buckhead Plastic Surgery and LUX Med Spa have many options to reverse aging signs without surgery. Here are a few of our patient’s favorite options:

  • Liquid Lift– many people opt for injectables instead of a facelift. A liquid lift can be a combination of products like Botox and Dysport, which can relax facial muscles and prevent wrinkles from deepening; along with facial fillers like Juvederm, which can fill in fine lines and wrinkles and plump lips and areas of the face that have lost volume you can take years of aging off your face. 
  • Opus Plasma– Opus Plasma is a skin resurfacing treatment that tightens skin and stimulates collagen production.
  • Morpheus8– Morpheus8 is a microneedling skin remodeling treatment that stimulates collagen production and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

To lift or not to lift?

With so many great options to reverse the signs of aging, it can be hard to determine which treatment path is best for you. Ultimately only you can decide what’s best for you. But if you want to speak with a professional about the best options for you or have more questions, the best thing to do is to book your free consultation. Our talented medical staff wants you to look and feel your best this year, and they will be able to answer all your questions and design a treatment plan for your optimal results; call us today at 404.367.9005 to book your free consultation!