Non-surgical procedures have seen a boost in recent years largely because many fear the long recovery period associated with cosmetic surgery procedures. There are some physicians who have found a happy medium for their patients that balances the more dramatic effects of surgery while minimizing pain and downtime.
Facelift is a very popular surgery amongst those looking to remove fine lines and wrinkles and restore skin's youthful tightness. However, traditional facelift procedures involve some uncomfortable recovery and significant swelling and bruising. Often several weeks pass before a patient is really able to see the full results. New advances in facelift technique are minimizing that recovery period and patients are seeing their results sooner than ever.
Recently featured on The Doctors, Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov has developed what he calls a Nick-Tuck procedure. This facelift is performed while the patient is awake, with only local sedation. Additionally, Dr. Nikolov uses a fibrin glue to help adhere the skin flap back to the underlying tissues. He says that this technique helps reduce some of the signs of surgery such as bruising, swelling, and discomfort. Dr. Nikolov also uses a smaller incision than with classical facelift, so that the patient has less scarring as well.
Actual results of Nick-Tuck procedure, 5 days after treatment
Dr. Robert Burke, an Ann Arbor cosmetic surgeon, has also developed his own facelift technique called the Small Scar Facelift which makes tiny incisions similar to those of the Nick-Tuck. "I place small incisions in front and behind the ear," says Dr. Burke. "The incision in front of the ear is hidden in a natural skin fold." The muscles of the face are tightened and then the skin is lifted back to reduce the sagging of the face and greatly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Dr. Burke performs this procedure under conscious sedation which means that the patient is awake, but completely comfortable for the procedure. "Avoiding general anesthesia also means patients are able to go home the same day."
Dr. Robert Burke's Small Scar Facelift along with Blepharoplasty and CO2 Resurfacing
Having an awake facelift procedure isn't for everyone. There are many who don't like to be conscious during their surgery as they are able to feel a little bit of pressure or they just feel odd being awake during their operation. Speak with your doctor about your facelift options.
