Are You a Good Candidate for a Weekend Facelift?

Posted on September 12, 2016April 20, 2018 by koehler

Close-up of a woman smiling Updated for 2018

Today’s modern facelift techniques mean the days of too-tight, obviously surgical facelift results are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Yet despite the comparatively minimal downtime of the current-day facelift compared to a decade or two ago, some people hope for even faster results with the help of the rapid recovery “weekend” facelift. What’s a weekend facelift, and could you be a candidate?

What’s a Weekend Face Lift, Anyway?

The weekend facelift, aka the mini facelift, the lifestyle lift or QuickLift®, is a more recent name for a procedure that’s been around quite a while already. A modified version of a full facelift, the weekend facelift is advertised as a less complex surgery that results in a faster healing time.

The weekend facelift uses shorter incisions than a full facelift, and is intended to correct mild sagging through the jawline and upper neck as well as improve a double chin. A weekend facelift is best for younger candidates (55 or under) and the recovery period is only a few days long—hence the nickname.

However, there’s a downside to mini-lifts also, primarily that so-called “mini” procedures tend to deliver “mini” results.

The trade-off for the shorter recovery time is that the temporary improvements seen after a weekend facelift won’t be as significant as a full facelift, and won’t last as long.

Should You or Shouldn’t You?

It’s understandable that today’s increasingly hectic schedules have led to a similarly increased demand for better procedures with faster recovery times and nearly immediate results. Yet, a faster recovery doesn’t always translate to a better outcome.

Today, there’s no need to weigh recovery time against potentially compromised results when mini facelift alternatives like the PRP facelift exist. PRP harnesses the natural rejuvenating power of platelet-rich plasma, triggering your body’s natural healing response to diminish the signs of aging. Opting for PRP facial rejuvenation can not only mean rapid results, but could effectively delay the need for a surgical facelift for even longer.

As with any cosmetic procedure, if you have realistic expectations about the limitations of a weekend facelift as well as the possible results, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with the outcome. However, not everyone is a good candidate. If you’re still interested in a weekend facelift, check with your cosmetic surgeon about the pros, cons and alternatives before you decide to move forward.

Should You Include Facial Rejuvenation in Your Mommy Makeover?

Posted on July 15, 2015December 21, 2016 by koehler

A mommy makeover is a custom set of procedures designed with your needs in mind after you’ve completed your family. Typically, mommy makeovers are associated with breast enhancement and abdominoplasty, with a focus on rejuvenating the body rather than the face. However, many women notice signs of stress and aging in their facial appearance after they become mothers, so the right facial rejuvenation treatment included in your mommy makeover can make all the difference in your end results.

BOTOX® for Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle movements. As rewarding as having and raising children is, all those joys and sorrows over the years can contribute to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, particularly between the eyebrows or at the corners of the eyes. By using BOTOX® for crow’s feet and frown lines, you can maintain a youthful look well into motherhood.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths, and can be used to improve overall skin texture and appearance. A noninvasive approach to facial rejuvenation at any age, a series of chemical peels can even out your skin tone, reduce fine lines and minimize the appearance of scarring and sunspots.

Eyelid Surgery

Drooping upper eyelid skin or puffy under-eye bags can create an appearance of being aged beyond your years. Eyelid surgery can reduce excess skin and tissue around the eyes for a younger and well-rested appearance. You can complement your eyelid surgery results with BOTOX® or chemical peels for an even more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation.

Eyelid Surgery vs. BOTOX® for Crow’s Feet: Which Is Right for You?

Posted on February 5, 2015October 22, 2018 by koehler

Updated October 2018
The development of crow’s feet commonly occurs with aging and is caused by the contraction of tiny muscles located near the eye. Habitual facial expressions over the years also can contribute to crow’s feet, including squinting, smiling and frowning. If you’re bothered by these tiny wrinkles at the outer corners of your eye, you may be considering either eyelid surgery or BOTOX®. Which is the best option for eliminating crow’s feet and reducing their recurrence?

How BOTOX® Works

A BOTOX® injection is a relatively quick procedure that essentially paralyzes the muscles that contract and cause crow’s feet (or other dynamic wrinkles) to form. At your appointment, your surgeon will inject the BOTOX® at specific points to prevent the muscle contractions responsible for deepening fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery can help reduce the signs of aging and restore a youthful, refreshed appearance.

How Eyelid Surgery Works

Eyelid surgery can be performed either on the upper or lower eyelids or both, and can reduce the amount of sagging skin in the eye area. During surgery, a small incision is made in the eyelid crease or along the lash line to remove excess skin, tighten the lids and restore a more youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery can fix droopy eyelids, but won’t improve existing crow’s feet or prevent future lines from developing.

A Combination Approach

Both BOTOX® and eyelid surgery have their limitations. By combining eyelid surgery and subsequent BOTOX® treatments, your surgeon oftentimes can reduce or eliminate crow’s feet as well as restore a refreshed, alert appearance throughout the eye area and help to ensure much longer-lasting results than either procedure performed on its own.

What Age Is Right for a Facelift?

Posted on January 29, 2014December 21, 2016 by koehler

What is the best age to get a face lift? There’s no age limit, but the general rule is that the younger you are, the more elasticity your skin will have, and the longer the face lift will last. Younger patients may also be better candidates for “mini” face lift.

Alabama cosmetic surgeon Dr. James Koehler looks at each patient individually to asses how to create the best, most natural looking results. There is no one-size-fits-all face lift, each procedure varies depending on the patients unique features, needs and desires.

Wrinkles, creases, crows feet, fine lines and sagging skin are all symptoms of aging which can be reduced and or eliminated through with a face lift. Face lift surgery may also be done in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, or a neck lift.