When should I start having Botox injections? Is it time to start using retinol in my skincare routine? What exactly is a ‘mommy makeover’? What about a ‘daddy redo’? Should I replace my hyaluronic acid fillers with something more permanent?

There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to beauty and aesthetics. There are, however, some tried-and-true principles that will keep you looking and feeling your best.

Jane Fonda (now 81) joked that she bought herself a decade when she had a facelift, while Sharon Osbourne, 67, has been open about having a rhytidectomy in August. Christie Brinkley, 65, has recently begun working with Ultherapy skin tightening, and Robin Wright, 53, has expressed her love of Botox.

Needless to say, these celebrities can attribute their transcendent glow to a healthy lifestyle (a balanced diet, regular exercise routine, and daily sunscreen application are all musts), but they have also chosen to age on their own terms with the help of rejuvenating professional treatments that can benefit both men and women.

FACELIFT

While there are numerous minimally invasive procedures that promise to lift and firm, the rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift, will always be the gold standard of gravity-defying treatments due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin around the face, neck, and jaw.

The decision to have a facelift, like any other cosmetic procedure, is a personal one, but there are some general guidelines to follow. Patients who have been exposed to the sun on a regular basis, who smoke, who have lost a significant amount of weight, who have undergone early menopause, or who have thinner skin, will often age earlier and wish to have a facelift. These patients typically visit a plastic surgeon in their early fifties, whereas patients with thicker skin (e.g., Indian, Asian, African Americans) may schedule an appointment in their late fifties.

While facelift results are not permanent (they will be affected by the ageing process), they typically last at least 10 to 15 years for most patients and can last even longer when combined with less invasive treatments.

DERMAL FILLERS

If a facelift is still too invasive, you want to supplement your procedure, or you just want to address a loss of volume, dermal fillers such as Juvéderm, Radiesse, Restylane, and Sculptra can smooth and plump the skin.

Fillers are fantastic for the ageing face. They are used to restore volume that has been lost with age and to conceal wrinkles. Adding fillers to wrinkles alters how light reflects on the face, making shadows less noticeable.

While filler can temporarily restore lost volume, it cannot correct excessive skin sagging the way a facelift can. However, the inverse is also true. In fact, some patients may experience hollowness in specific areas after a facelift, and their surgeon may recommend dermal filler to improve the surgical results.

DERMABRASION

If you are concerned about your skin's tone and texture, dermabrasion (and the less invasive microdermabrasion) can be used to brighten and even out your complexion. The deeply exfoliating procedure involves removing the outer layers of skin with an abrasive brush or wand.

Many patients compare the post-op sensation to that of a burn, which goes away after a few days. The healing process, on the other hand, takes several months, and sun exposure should be avoided for at least six months. Microdermabrasion (which results in a more superficial exfoliation) is ideal for people who want less downtime, but dermabrasion is more effective at treating deep wrinkles.

BLEPHAROPLASTY

Drooping and puffiness around the eyes is another common ageing symptom. Blepharoplasty was the most popular procedure among people over the age of 55, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2018 Statistics Report (i.e. eyelid surgery). That is to say, it was even more requested than a facelift.

As you get older, the upper lid begins to sag and the lower lid fat becomes more prominent. A blepharoplasty will correct both of these issues, making your eyes appear brighter and younger. In their late forties or fifties, most patients will have a blepharoplasty alone or in conjunction with a facelift.

The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia and lasts about two hours. It consists of cutting along the natural lines of the eyelids, separating the skin from the underlying tissue, and removing any excess fat and skin.

It is a very popular procedure that is well tolerated.

While the procedure is typically categorised as cosmetic, patients who find that excess skin is interfering with their vision may be able to have their eyelid lift covered by insurance. The eyelids usually heal in about two weeks after surgery. Upper eyelid results will last about five to seven years, while lower lid results will last indefinitely. However, as with a facelift, it is important to remember that the eyes will naturally age.

BROW LIFT

A brow or forehead lift, which is frequently combined with other procedures (such as a facelift), can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and address sagging skin. Brow lifts are classified into two types: classic and endoscopic. The traditional brow lift can make a more significant difference than the endoscopic option. However, the endoscopic option leaves smaller scars and has less of an impact on hair regrowth.

There is about two weeks of downtime for both types, and it is recommended to keep the head elevated and iced during that time.

The Bottom Line

Patients over 50 can consider an array of surgical and non-surgical procedures that lift, firm, and tone the face and body with long-lasting results, whether you want to take your minimally invasive cosmetic procedure routine to the next level or visit a cosmetic surgeon for the first time.

Call 9930998023 to book your consultation with Dr Siddharth Prakash.

Best Plastic Surgeon in Mumbai, Best Cosmetic Surgeon in India