If you’re considering face lift surgery, you may wonder what are the telltale signs of good facelift results. Or, perhaps you’re more intrigued about the signs of a bad facelift? Regardless, this article will explore the difference between great facelift results and not so great facelift results.
Dr Mark Doyle is one of the best plastic surgeon Gold coast with over 30 years of experience. He is a specialist in many facial rejuvenation procedures. The primary focus of Dr Doyle’s career has been helping men and women appear as a younger version of themselves.
What Does a “Good Facelift” Mean?
“In my opinion, someone who has had a good facelift must look natural, look rejuvenated and younger but not overdone. Bad facelifts are the opposite,” says Dr Doyle.
This, of course, is subjective. Some people like to have an overdone look, while others don’t. Many people prefer that their facelift results are not obvious. From Dr Doyle’s perspective, the signs of a bad facelift include overdone and unnatural looking results. A good facelift, in Dr Doyle’s opinion, is a natural facelift.
5 Signs of a Good Facelift
Telltale Signs of a Bad Facelift
A bad facelift can be spotted with the following cues:
- visible scars
- earlobes that are attached to the head
- overstretched skin
- limited facial movement
- a young-looking face but old neck
These signs will be explained in detail later in this article.
How to Ensure Quality Facelift Results, Even Before You Make an Appointment
Often, potential plastic surgery patients shop around with price at front of mind. This can be problematic for a number of reasons. If price is your main concern, you’ll likely be blind to other important factors.
And, a “cheap facelift” will not always guarantee quality facelift results (and results are permanent!). So, your surgeon is someone you want to pick carefully.
We suggest that, when considering your options, you take your research seriously. This means researching your surgeon’s qualifications (are they a plastic or cosmetic surgeon?) and also learning about their experience. A fantastic way to assess their ability is to view their facelift before and after images.
In these photos, you can look out for the following factors to decide whether the patient had a good or bad facelift result.
Telltale Signs of an Excellent Facelift Results
In order to achieve an excellent result, there are a few key areas your surgeon should concentrate on. These include:
1. The Position of Your Scars
Scarring is the number one identifier for any cosmetic surgery procedure. If you don’t want others to immediately know that you’ve had surgery, hidden scars are essential.
Dr Doyle’s advice?
- Facelift scars should be placed in the hairline wherever possible.
- The scars in front of the ears should follow the natural curves of the ear at all times.
- Scars behind the ears should be placed in the hollow where the ears meet the skull.
- The earlobes must also be in the correct position at the end of the procedure and under no tension.
“I see a lot of patients who have had facelift surgery performed elsewhere and the earlobes seem to extend into the neck. This is very obvious even to the untrained eye,” says Dr Doyle.
“Badly placed and obvious scars are a telltale sign that you have had a facelift.”
2. Facial Movement Should be Normal
Quality facelift results should not restrict facial movement. After surgery, you should be able to smile, squint, and frown as normal. If you have significant restrictions in movement, this is a sign that your facelift was done too tightly or aggressively.
“Injuries to the nerves in the face during a facelift are very uncommon in the hands of an experienced surgeon,” says Dr Doyle.
“After a good facelift, you should be able to move your mouth and create normal facial expressions. If you lack animation in your lower face or forehead it will be very obvious that you have had a facelift.”
Muscle weakness following a facelift may also be permanent. If you experience significant muscle weakness or paralysis, seek medical attention right away.
3. Your Skin is Tight, in the Right Direction
When you have a facelift, your surgeon will tighten the underlying muscles and tissues. They will also lift sagging skin. This will help to give you a more youthful appearance. If everything is done correctly, your skin will be pulled tight in the right direction. This will help to reduce sagging jowls and wrinkles.
“When tightening the facial skin, it is important to pull the skin back in the correct direction and the correct degree of tightness. Your skin should feel tight, plump and smooth after your surgery,” says Dr Doyle.
“Tightening of the tissues under the skin is very important to take the tension off the skin when it is healing. This will help you to have finer, less obvious scars. It’s also important to decrease facial wrinkles but it is normal to have some wrinkles.
A facelift with overtightened skin, with a face with no fine lines at all, can look very abnormal.”
4. You Should Appear Around 10 Years Younger After Your Facelift
One of the most obvious telltale signs of good facelift results is that you appear younger than before the surgery. A facelift can take years off your appearance, restoring a more youthful look. Most patients report looking about 10 years younger after their surgery. It counts as one of the anti aging solutions.
“A good facelift returns facial tissues to their original position. It doesn’t pull them to places they’ve never been,” says Dr Doyle.
“A good facelift should take around 10 years off your appearance. After a facelift, you should look like a younger version of yourself, not a different person. Most patients who want a more radical result can look very weird afterwards.”
Dr Doyle
It’s important that your expectations are realistic about what facelift surgery can achieve for you. No facial rejuvenation procedure should change your natural features – rather, it should enhance them. A good candidate for any facial rejuvenation procedure, whether brow lift, blepharoplasty or facelift, should understand this. Surgical techniques designed to reduce signs of ageing create a younger and natural-looking appearance.
5. Your Face and Neck Look the Same
One of the telltale signs of good facelift results is that your face and neck look about the same. If your facelift is performed properly, the skin on your neck will tighten and the muscle will be pulled back so that your neck looks more proportional to your face. When done well, a face and neck lift surgical procedure can take years off your appearance – all by removing excess skin.
“The face and neck should look the same following the surgery. A young face with an old neck and vice versa can look very strange. For this reason, face and neck surgery should be performed in the same procedure,” says Dr Doyle.
Dr Doyle always recommends that you undergo a full face and neck lift procedure, rather than just one or the other. Results from this combination procedure give better and long-lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a facelift last?
You can expect the results of your facelift to take about 10 years off your age and last about 10 years. Please note that facelift surgery will not prevent future aging, however, your face will appear more youthful than before.
You can also increase facelift longevity by keeping healthy, investing in good skincare and considering cosmetic injectables.
Why does it take 6 months for facelift results to show?
We always recommend waiting 6 months to see your final facelift result. This is because facial tissues can remain swollen for many months. Swelling can create the appearance of asymmetry or a ‘not tight enough’ result. Usually, 6 months after your facelift will you be able to see the final results of your facelift procedure.
Book Your Consultation Today
With 30 years of experience behind him, Dr Doyle is confident in his ability to achieve great facelift results. If you’re considering facelift surgery and would like a natural-looking result, call or email us now to book your initial consultation.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
