Top Cosmetic Procedures for Older Women
Aging is a natural process, though the signs it leaves can impact your self-confidence and detract from your quality of life. Wrinkles form, skin sags, and breast, face, and lip volume start declining. While skin care regimens can help keep these effects at bay for a while, even the most elaborate process can’t stop time from passing.
The best cosmetic procedures for older women can reverse the signs of aging.
Botox Injections
Botox is an FDA-approved neuromodulator that can treat crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, bunny lines around the nose, and smoker lines around the mouth. Dysport and Xeomin are other products with similar effects and formulas. These injectables also have medical purposes, like resolving eyelid spasms, quelling migraines, and lessening excessive sweating.
The proteins in Botox can block receptor sites to stop muscle activity. The results take effect within a few days, but are not permanent. You will need touch-up injections to maintain your smooth skin.
The procedure is relatively painless, though bruising, swelling, and small bumps around the injection site are common. These effects should subside from within a few hours to within a few days.
Juvéderm Injections
Juvéderm is an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar that occurs naturally in the body to attract and retain moisture for instant, natural-looking volume. These injections can add contour to cheeks and lips, while minimizing wrinkles and fine lines.
Juvéderm’s effects can last up to two years for some people, though your body will eventually metabolize the filler. This product’s formula contains an anesthetic called lidocaine to minimize discomfort. While there is no downtime required after treatment, mild bruising and swelling are sometimes visible for a few days afterward. Fortunately, you can apply a cold compress and a touch of makeup to conceal these and immediately resume your daily routine.
Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
Intense pulsed light is a popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure that can effectively improve aging skin. By targeting multiple concerns such as sun damage, age spots, enlarged pores and wrinkles, IPL therapy stimulates collagen production and promotes skin rejuvenation. The light energy emitted during treatment penetrates the skin, targeting pigmented and vascular lesions while tightening. With a series of IPL sessions, patients often experience a more even skin tone, reduced signs of aging, and a revitalized complexion.
IPL is gentle enough to use on many areas of the body, including your face, neck, and décolletage. It is a top choice for anyone seeking to address aging skin concerns without extensive downtime, and it is also more affordable than alternatives.
Eyelid Surgery
Many women first notice the signs of aging in the delicate skin around their eyes. Prominent undereye bags and drooping eyelids can add years to your appearance. Eyelid surgery can lift sagging skin to create a more youthful appearance. This procedure can treat ptosis, a condition that causes weakening of the eyelid muscles. Other conditions like dermatochalasis can lead excess skin and fat to develop on the upper eyelid, obstructing eyesight.
Blepharoplasty procedures typically take between one and three hours. During the procedure, Dr. Nathan Brought makes tiny incisions along the upper eyelid creases and below the lower lid lashes. He then separates the underlying tissue from the muscle to remove excess skin and fat as needed.
You will experience mild discomfort during recovery and can use a cold compress to manage pain. Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and bruising, which will peak roughly within the first week after the surgery. Light sensitivity, excessive tearing, and blurry vision are common within the first week of recovery. Most patients can return to work after a week or two, though you may want to arrange to switch to a temporary part-time schedule if your job involves a lot of reading and screen time.
Face and Neck Lift Surgery
A facelift, medically known as rhytidectomy, can tighten loose skin around the facial area, from jowls to sagging brows and eyelids. When Dr. Brought performs a combination neck lift and facelift, he may remove excess fat deposits around the chin and neck area and smooths skin.
These procedures typically take several hours. Dr. Brought must assess your unique facial anatomy to create a customized surgical plan. Common incision sites are around the ears, beneath the chin, and at the temples near the hairline. Bandages will dress the incisions and compress your face to reduce swelling. Sometimes, drain tubes encourage healing by collecting excess fluids. Dr. Brought will remove the sutures about a week later. However, swelling and bruising may be noticeable for a few weeks.
Breast Lifts
With age, your once-perky breasts can lose their fullness and firmness. Pregnancy, nursing, aging, and the endless pull of gravity impact breast tissue. Over time, fatty tissue replaces dense breast tissue due to the natural decline in estrogen levels. A breast lift can correct downward-pointing nipples, an elongated and flat appearance, and a wider space between your breasts.
This surgery usually takes two to four hours. Dr. Brought will use his expertise to choose the best incision pattern to elevate your breasts with minimal scarring. After tightening loose skin to improve contour, he bandages the incisions with gauze. We will ask you to wear a non-underwire surgical support bra to support your healing breasts while you recover, which typically takes 4-6 weeks.
Why Choose Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute?
SPRSI uses a holistic approach, combining surgical and nonsurgical treatments to help you attain the youthful results you deserve. Dr. Brought is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon specializing in various anti-aging procedures, from face and neck lifts to dermal facial fillers. He has trained alongside some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons and also has experience in breast reconstruction, hand surgery, and burn surgery, among other delicate procedures.
We prioritize preoperative and postoperative care. Dr. Brought encourages patients to reach him anytime, even after business hours — you won’t find yourself on hold with an answering service.
During preoperative care, Dr. Brought and his team carefully evaluate each patient to ensure the best results. A comprehensive consultation also gives you realistic expectations before, during, and after your procedure. You may also receive advice on diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes you can make to prolong your results.
Preparing for Your Cosmetic Procedure
Though nonsurgical injectables and IPL are quick, in-office treatments requiring no incisions and little to no recovery time, we recommend preparing mentally and physically for surgery.
- If you are a smoker, please quit for at least 4 weeks before and after your procedure. Smoking constricts the blood vessels and impairs your body’s ability to heal. Any form of nicotine, including gum and patches, has a serious negative impact on healing, so it is imperative that all forms of nicotine are stopped as well.
- Take time off work and set up an area where you can rest comfortably when you need to. Healing uses a lot of energy, so you may get tired more quickly than usual.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home from surgery and stay with you for at least the first day of your recovery. You may also need to ask for help around the house, especially if you have children or pets.
- Be ready to follow all provided directions about caring for your incisions, showering, and when to return for follow-up appointments.
- It’s wise to prepare and freeze some nutritious meals ahead of time so you won’t have to worry about cooking. We also suggest filling any prescription medications in advance.
- Ensure you have plenty of clean, soft, comfortable clothes to wear while you heal. After surgery, you must wear tops that button or zip up, not something you need to pull over your head like a sweater or T-shirt.
Rejuvenate Your Appearance and Self-Confidence With SPRSI
Whether you’re considering skin-rejuvenating injectables, a breast lift, or a full face and neck lift, SPRSI offers anti-aging treatments that can shave years off your appearance.
Contact us online or at 615-724-9818 to schedule a consultation or learn more about what we offer. We’ll be happy to help you choose.
