According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2020 report, men receive only 8% of all rhytidectomies — or facelifts.
However, that doesn’t mean male facelifts are uncommon. The opposite is true. A recent article explores the uptick in male plastic surgery patients, particularly those looking for facelifts and anti-aging treatments.
Like women, men face social and professional stigmas regarding their age — or, more accurately, how old they look. And, unfortunately, male balding can worsen facial aging.
The good news is that facelift procedures have evolved, and an experienced plastic surgeon can help you look younger — even if you have a receding hairline or balding.
If you are considering a facelift in Burbank, CA, check out these essential tips to ensure a successful male facelift.
Understanding the Link Between Balding and Facial Aging:
A report from the Dermatologic Surgery journal found that men generally age worse than women. Many factors cause them to typically look older than they are, including lifestyle habits like increased sun exposure and smoking.
Another critical factor in facial aging is balding, which affects 50% of white men by age 50.
While there are different balding patterns, men typically experience receding hairlines and baldness that start at the top of the head. This reduces the amount of hair framing the face, significantly contributing to facial aging.
Facial imperfections can become more prominent without a full head of hair. Forehead wrinkles and sagging jowls might stand out more, while volume loss and drooping eyelids can become seemingly more prominent.
Tips for a Successful Male Facelift Procedure
Male facelifts can help reduce these signs of facial aging and restore a youthful appearance. However, balding men may be hesitant to even consider a facelift since they no longer have a strong hairline where surgeons can hide the incision scars.
That’s no problem for an experienced surgeon like Dr. Hershcovitch, who knows how to personalize the facelift procedure for balding patients and reduce incision tension for less noticeable scars.
In other words, if you’re dealing with the combination of facial aging and balding, a facelift in Burbank, CA, is still a viable option for you — especially if you follow these three tips.
1. Selecting a Qualified and Experienced Surgeon:
As mentioned above, women are far more likely to receive a facelift than men. That means not all plastic surgeons have experience working with male facial anatomy and how to execute an effective procedure on a male patient without feminizing the face.
Another thing to consider is that some different types of facelifts work better for men — particularly balding men. If you choose an inexperienced or underqualified plastic surgeon who’s just familiar with the traditional facelift, you could end up with less-than-ideal results.
That’s why it’s vital you research your surgeon’s certifications and credentials. Ideally, the surgeon should have their credentials and experience publicly displayed on their website or professional page.
And even then, you should ask about their experience with male facelifts and what procedures they offer for men. Look for a surgeon that offers a wide range of facelift procedures since that shows expertise and the ability to customize the experience.
2. Customizing the Procedure for Optimal Results:
Your face is unique, so you need a unique approach to a facelift.
While a traditional facelift may work for some patients, others need a personalized approach that considers their facial structure and specific anti-aging needs. This is especially true if you’re experiencing hair loss since each balding pattern is unique.
Talk with your surgeon about where they will put the incisions in relation to your hairline and how that will affect the outcome of the facelift. Again, if you work with an experienced surgeon, it shouldn’t be a problem to personalize your procedure to address signs of facial aging while avoiding obvious incision scars.
One of the most common procedures for men — particularly balding men — is a deep plane facelift that addresses signs of aging along the cheek and neck. The surgeon lifts deep muscles and connective tissues for a significantly more youthful and natural look. But the reason it’s ideal for balding men is that incisions are often made around the ears, where they are easy to hide even if you don’t have any hair.
The mini facelift is another option to reduce incision scars along a (potentially nonexistent) hairline. Like the deep plane facelift, it helps eliminate aging signs on the lower portions of the face. The difference is that it’s a minimally invasive procedure to address early signs of aging. Still, the incisions are hidden around the ear instead of the hairline, which makes it ideal for balding patients.
These are just two common male facelift options, so make sure to talk with your surgeon about other options, like a traditional or mid-facelift, that might work better for your facial structure.
No matter which procedure you choose, talk with your surgeon about the possibility of combining the facelift with a complementary procedure to restore your hairline. For example, you could undergo a hair transplantation or scalp micropigmentation for more comprehensive and natural-looking results.
3. Preparing for a Male Facelift and Postoperative Care
Once you’ve chosen an experienced surgeon and discussed your personalized male facelift procedure, it’s time to prepare physically and mentally for your procedure.
To ensure the best results and a quick recovery, consider establishing healthy habits the weeks before your surgery. For example, you might want to stop smoking since the nicotine can affect your procedure and post-op recovery. Other best practices include staying hydrated and talking with your doctor about what medications are safe to take pre- and post-op.
Mental preparation is just as important. Make sure to discuss realistic expectations with your surgeon about what the procedure and recovery process entails. You will look worse before you look better, so prepare to see bruising and swelling. Consider asking your friends and family for help with meals and rides during this time for extra support.
Aside from setting expectations, you must also understand the typical postoperative care process. One of the best things to do is to let your body heal, so make sure to set aside enough time for sufficient rest. You should also discuss any specific post-op care instructions with your surgeon and attend all your follow-up appointments to ensure everything is healing properly.
Keep in mind that you will experience pain in the days following the procedure. Your surgeon will prescribe appropriate pain medication, but you can use cold compresses and elevation to help with the discomfort and swelling. Avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight can also help speed up the recovery process, as can getting plenty of rest in the first 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
While facelifts in Burbank, CA, are still much more common for women, a growing number of men are getting facelifts to gain confidence and restore their youthful looks.
Part of the reason for the increased popularity of male facelifts is that surgeons can now hide incisions better — even if the patient is balding. But to get those results, you must choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in different facelift techniques for men.
Talk with a trusted male facelift plastic surgeon today to explore your options and create a customized procedure plan that addresses both your aging and balding concerns. With a well-planned facelift procedure from a trusted surgeon, you can enjoy renewed confidence and a long-lasting youthful appearance.
