Here in Southern California plastic surgery is part of the everyday landscape. Unfortunately, when many people think of a facelift they think of celebrities with extremely tight unnatural looking faces. The term facelift has become a twisted word that has been repackaged to make consumers feel better about facial rejuvenation. Marketing companies have called it everything from a “Lite lift” to a “Lifestyle lift” to encourage consumers to make the decision to do” something” about loose and lax skin on the face. Dr. Kim is careful to explain in detail to his patients not only the options for facial rejuvenation including a facelift, but also the differences between a specially marketed modified facelift, and a true classic facelift. Typically patients who are between the ages of 35 and 45 are just beginning to see the signs of aging. With a wide range of injectable fillers now available on the market including Restylane, Juvederm and others patients can delay some of the signs of aging. But, injectable fillers are temporary and will only last about 6 to 12 months. For some patients, even as early as 35 years of age, a modified or mini facelift is an excellent option for a slight tightening of the skin, provided there isn’t loose and lax skin on the neck. A modified facelift is for a younger patient who does not have extreme loose skin on the jaw line or neck. Contrary to heavy marketing that leads consumers to believe that everybody can benefit from this procedure, the truth is it is not appropriate for patients who are older and have more advanced signs of aging. Dr. Kim encourages patients to begin addressing the signs of aging early when the skin has the most laxity. Patient should understand that it is a process and that as they continue age the appropriate plastic surgery procedures will allow them to look younger than their stated age.
