When you look in the mirror, do you see the vibrant, fountain-of-youth face you’ve always recognized, or are you suddenly struck by lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and sun damage? Before you start to panic, there are plenty of cosmetic treatments at the ready to help you look and feel more youthful and revitalized.
But how do you know which is right for you? What if you want to get a facelift AND laser skin resurfacing? The good news is that you don’t have to choose between the two. Here are just a few of the reasons why two procedures can be a whole lot sweeter than one.
Treat Two Kinds of Problems
First things first. What’s the difference between a facelift and laser skin rejuvenation, anyway? To start, one is a surgical procedure and the other is nonsurgical. A facelift literally lifts and smooths sagging skin in your mid and lower face. An experienced plastic surgeon can achieve very natural-looking results through this procedure, so don’t worry about that “wind tunnel” look as long as you’ve selected a reputable plastic surgeon.
So why add a laser to your procedure? Lasers can take your results a step further by addressing imperfections in the tone and texture of your skin, which is unachievable through a facelift alone. For example, laser skin resurfacing might be a good option for you if things like sun damage, dark spots, acne scars, fine lines or a dull, lackluster skin tone are keeping you from putting your best face forward.
Drop It Low
We said that facelifts treat the lower half of your face, but where they can fall short is around the chin and upper lip areas. If these are spots where you’d like to improve the quality of your skin’s texture or tone and smooth away fine lines, your plastic surgeon might recommend adding laser skin rejuvenation into the mix.
Time Is Precious
Plan on Netflix binging at home for about two weeks after your facelift before venturing back out into the world.
Why waste precious time coming back for a second procedure when you can just get them both done at the same time? As a bonus, adding laser skin resurfacing to your facelift doesn’t add much time—if any—to your recovery, so it’s sort of a no-brainer if you’re looking to kill two figurative birds with one stone.
A Little Anesthesia Never Hurt
Not to say that laser treatments require anesthesia, but hey, if you’re already going under, why not tack on your laser treatment while you won’t feel a thing?! Laser skin treatments don’t necessarily hurt, but some people might find them a little uncomfortable, depending on which type of laser you’ve chosen.
But don’t sweat it if you’re opting for lasers alone. Topical numbing creams are usually available to make you as comfortable as a bug in a rug.
Speaking of, how do you know when you might be a good candidate for a nonsurgical facial treatment on its own, putting the facelift thing on hold for now? The best answer—talk to your plastic surgeon. He or she will be able to assess the quality and characteristics of your skin and help you decide whether going for both or sticking with one is your best bet.