Aging Gracefully with Plastic Surgery

Aside from the sagging, leathery skin, signs of aging are also manifested by sagging brows which can sink by as much as a third of an inch; and cheek pads which can droop by a half-inch.  According to a recent study, about 30 percent of the facial area may sag.

In addition, aging may also cause the nasal tip to droop by a quarter of an inch; in fact, the nose can stretch by as much as 10 percent.  Aside from aesthetic reasons, these changes may result to breathing difficulty particularly if the nasal wall has collapsed.

To correct the problems associated with aging nose, rhinoplasty or “nose job” can be performed.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, most people who undergo facial rejuvenation surgeries are in their middle age.  However, the trend is slowly changing as patients aged 65 years and older are starting to seek such procedures to make their appearance younger and more rejuvenated.

During the past five years, surveys have suggested that the number of patients aged 65 years and older who asked for facial rejuvenation surgeries has tripled, with about 450,000 procedures conducted in the same period.

The most common procedures for patients aged 65 years and older are eyelid surgery, facelifts, Botox injections, soft tissue fillers such as Restylane and Sculptra, and chemical peels.

Meanwhile, the number of patients seeking facial rejuvenation procedures is expected to soar in the coming years as baby boomers reach their 60s.

Aside from the growing obsession to remain youthful, the growing popularity of plastic surgery is also attributed to the fact that seniors are more sexually and socially active than ever before.

In addition, more and more employees are postponing their retirement and the need to appear “competitive” in the workplace is more important than ever.  In fact, some experts suggest that looking good—sooner or later—will become as important as one’s education and professional skills.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, said that there is really no age limitation when it comes to facial rejuvenation surgery.  However, he noted that patients aged 70 years and older generally face more risks because they are likely to suffer from hypertension, heart disease, and other age-related health problems.

“But as long as they are medically stable and have no serious conditions, these patients are likely to be a good candidate of facial plastic surgery that aims to reduce the signs of aging,” Smaili said.