For many years, the field of plastic surgery has emphasized the importance of facelift surgery. This procedure has been popular since its inception with patients looking to restore their youthful appearance, and it has come a long way since the early 1900s.
While techniques and procedures for face lifts have improved tremendously over the years, this does not mean that there is only one foolproof method for treatment and facial rejuvenation. In fact, according to Gulf Shores, Alabama facial plastic surgeon E. Gaylon McCollough, MD, individualized, case-by-case care is the key to achieving remarkable results.
Understanding case-by-case facial rejuvenation treatments
As Dr. McCollough explains in an article he wrote for the Journal of Facial Plastic Surgery, the unique degree of aging in different parts of a patient’s face is critical to proper facial rejuvenation treatment. “The degree of aging in various parts of the face, including the eyelids and lips, is measured on a scale of 0 to 5, where 5 represents the most severe condition,” says Dr. McCollough. “If the score is 0 or 1, then no surgery is needed; as the score rises, the surgery becomes more invasive, and when it reaches a level of 4 or 5, skin resurfacing and lifting procedures are usually required. The degree of peeling for wrinkles and sun damage is also a consideration, with grade 1 being a mild spa peel and microdermabrasion, and grades 2 to 3 requiring surgery by a surgeon.”
Disadvantages of a “one-size-fits-all” approach
Despite the inherent differences in aging patterns between individuals, Dr. McCollough has noticed that some surgeons prefer a “one-size-fits-all” approach to face lifts and eyelid lifts. I can’t find any evidence that other surgeons who recommend or perform facelifts, eyelid surgeries, or skin resurfacing procedures are grading different areas of the face and neck and treating them accordingly,” he says. They often use the same ‘one-size-fits-all’ procedure for each case. However, all facelifts and blepharoplasties are different and should not be the same because everyone’s face is shaped differently and at different ages. Therefore, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to all facial or oculoplastic procedures. As a practicing physician for many years, I have witnessed the rise and fall of various trends. For example, the currently popular and expensive ‘deep facelift’ has been shown not to be applicable to all facial shapes, especially those that show only mild to moderate aging.”
In contrast to this standardized approach, Dr. McCollough relies on his degree of aging algorithm to guide every stage of the facial rejuvenation process, from the initial consultation to post-operative care. He adds, “Given the opportunity, it is easy for patients to understand this person-to-person approach to facial treatments The future of facial rejuvenation is filled with endless possibilities for men and women from all walks of life to achieve natural beauty and rejuvenation. As the field of plastic surgery continues to advance, the principles of using individualized care and treating on a case-by-case basis undoubtedly remain the key to achieving the best possible results.Dr. McCollough emphasizes that new does not necessarily mean better when it comes to facial and body contouring; time-tested procedures and products should not be discarded lightly.
Through a commitment to informed and personalized care, facial rejuvenation will offer endless possibilities for restoring natural beauty and youthful vitality.
