West Suburban Face Lifts Skyrocket...Among 30-Something Women!
New data show the number of women in their 30's and 40's seeking facelifts has tripled in just the last two years.
In addition the American Association of Facial Plastic Surgeons reports in 2012 about one-third of their members now perform facelifts in women under 25. Overall face lifts were the most common female cosmetic surgical procedure.
The reasons are partly because younger women are quickly moving from injections and creams to surgery and partly because younger celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Nicole Kidman have reportedly sought out the procedure. However, the main reason for the face lift's acceptance in younger women is a new minimally invasive technique called a “short scar face lift.”
“The popularity of the short scar face lift has skyrocketed in the last two years,” says plastic surgeon Sam Speron M.D. of Park Ridge. “It's perfect for younger women who have active lives. They have no time for a long recovery and no desire to look artificial in any way.”
The short scar face lift is similar to a full face lift but is done through a smaller incision. The 1-2 hour procedure is done in the office. Patients have normal sensation right away, can shower the next day, and be back to work in a week or two without anyone else knowing they've had the procedure. The only visible sign is a small scar tucked into the crease where the ear joins the cheek. The rest of the incisions are hidden in the hairline and back of the ear.
“The result is about 70% of the effectiveness of a traditional face lift,” says Dr. Speron. “The procedure lifts the mid-face. It's redefines the lower face, the jawline, and the upper neck. However it's less effective for jowls or a sagging lower neck. Fortunately, those issues are far less common in younger patients.” The board-certified plastic surgeon is founder of Dr. Speron Plastic Surgery, SC.
The short scar face lift also allows the surgeon to pull the skin and underlying muscles as a single unit. That avoids a “pulled” look and leads to a more natural and longer-lasting result. Dr. Speron says, “I've found our patients will look about 7-12 years younger. Younger women actually often get better results because they have more elastic skin. Of course, aging continues after the operation but the results are estimated to last about ten years and at that point we can always do a ‘touch up' procedure.” The surgeon says younger women realize that no amount of injections can produce such dramatic and lasting effects.
“These are women,” he says, “who don't want to wait until they look older. They want to take the initiative and strike in advance.”
The surgeon says patient selection for the procedure is crucial. Patients have to realize the new procedure won't dramatically change the lower parts of their necks. The goal isn't to transform the face but to look younger and more “refreshed.”
Dr. Speron says, “Twenty years ago it would have been considered inappropriate to tell a patient in her (or his) 30's to get a facelift. Now with the right patients, that's all changed. We've learned to make smaller scars, and get a more natural result by both pulling the skin up (instead of backwards) and raising the underlying soft tissue. Now for many young professionals who need to project youth and vitality and for younger patients aging prematurely, a short-scar face lift has actually become the treatment of choice.”
Anyone who wants more information about this story can contact Sam Speron M.D. at 847-696-9900 or visit www.prplastic.com