​Many of us in our late 40's and 50's have thought about facelift surgery as a way to keep looking as young as we feel. But surgery is a big decision, and it can come with lots of questions about the procedure, the recovery process, and whether it’s all worth it.
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For those curious about going the surgical route, I spoke with Dr. Jerold Olson, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery in Tucson AZ, about what it’s really like to undergo a facelift.  Check out what he had to share.

Q: How long does the procedure take, and how long will a patient be under anesthesia?

A: The time required for a facelift varies depending on several factors, including the addition of any
other procedures. On average, the surgery lasts around 4 hours, but that can fluctuate by an hour or two. You’ll be under general anesthesia during this time.

Q: What is recovery like?

A: I typically recommend patients take 7 to 10 days to rest. Any discomfort over the first few days is
managed with medication. During the first couple of weeks, you may notice bruising and swelling. By the time you feel ready to return to daily activities like work, you’ll likely be able to cover any remaining bruising with makeup. Your incisions will fade to pale, flat scars that will become even less visible over time.

Q: Are there any limitations following surgery such as sun, beauty product use, or exercise?

A: You should avoid exercise for a few weeks and follow the guidelines I give you at your follow-up
appointments when it comes to easing back in. I typically recommend avoiding sun exposure for a few
weeks after surgery, since UV damage can worsen symptoms like swelling and slow down the healing
process. You can resume putting on makeup and washing your hair after 3 weeks.

Q: Can you just do a partial facelift?  If so, what are the different options?

A: Each facelift is customized to meet that patient’s needs, but there are a few categories they fall into. A partial facelift is commonly called a mini facelift, and it’s essentially another name for a short scar lift.  Younger men and women with less severe sagging often opt for this method, which requires only a small incision near the ear rather than a longer one that extends up into the hairline. The best way to determine the right approach for you is to meet with your surgeon for a one-on-one consultation. During this appointment, they’ll be able to make personalized recommendations based on your specific features and concerns.  If you would like to see real examples of each approach, please take a look at the before-and-after facelift photos of my Tucson patients.

Q: Are there nonsurgical alternatives?

A: Nonsurgical anti-aging treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers are highly popular since they require no anesthesia and essentially no downtime. While they can have great effects, they only provide short-term solutions. BOTOX lasts about 3 to 5 months and certain fillers can last for up to two years, but facelift results last around a decade. Many patients try nonsurgical options initially and then opt for a facelift to achieve longer-lasting results.

Q: Does it leave the face feeling tight or strange?

A: While there will be an initial adjustment period during recovery, a properly done facelift shouldn’t
leave your skin feeling tight. Any lingering numbness should continue to resolve over a few months.

Q: Will the neck look different?

A: With a short scar facelift, your neck is unlikely to look different. A deep plane facelift allows the
surgeon to adjust neck skin and tissues to create a younger appearance.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The cost of a facelift varies greatly, depending on the approach, whether any procedures are added and your geographic region. The average cost tends to be around $12,000. However, meeting with your surgeon for a personal consultation is the best way to get precise, personalized pricing information.  Credit organizations that specifically cater to medical expenses are often helpful for patients looking to feel more confident through cosmetic surgery.

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Would you ever consider a facelift? Leave your thoughts in the comments! For more health-related
content, check out my previous post on my hormone replacement therapy experience.
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Thank you to Dr, Olson for sponsoring this post and providing such great information. To learn more about Dr. Olson's services, you can visit his website HERE!

A life of interesting stories leads to a face of interesting wrinkles!
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I wasn’t overly concerned until my early-fifties, that is when the ravages of age laid it’s claim to my face. I’ve been afraid to try anything invasive including Botox… the needle, injecting something into my face, what if I don’t like the results? I’m probably beyond fixing anyway… if my face was Earth, some of the wrinkles would be relative to the Grand Canyon!
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It's been eight weeks since I started using the Trophy Skin MicrodermMD which is an at-home microdermabrasion machine. Here is my complete review with before and after pictures, plus an ingenious experiment to treat the back of my left hand only!

​With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start planning for your vacation—and for many, that means getting that winter body in summer shape. More often than not, our desire to lose weight and tone up before an upcoming vacation becomes a last-minute sprint. But if you start now, you'll increase your odds of success. Here are a few simple tips for converting to a healthier lifestyle.

The ravages of a well spent youth are reflected in many ways as we leave one era of our lives and begin the next. Lines, wrinkles, blemishes and lack of elasticity appear to a greater or lesser degree depending on the level of "well spent" we're dealing with! It's a natural progression but can still be hard to accept, especially when the vision reflected back at us in the mirror is not representative of how we feel inside - wrinkle free and much the same as we've always felt!

Midlife pulls many tricks on us - hair growth where we least expect it, and hair loss where we need it most - from our head.  Sadly, it effects women as well as men. 

Hair, like everything else goes through changes over the course of a lifetime. Shine and volume synonymous with youth gives way to dull, weak and thinner strands.  There are however several things we can do to maintain our luscious locks for as long as possible without going the chemical route.

Korean skin care products are fast becoming the most sought after and esteemed beauty treatments in Europe and North America. Saranghae is a 5-step skin care routine that has been developed over 600 years in South Korea using locally derived natural botanical extracts. The name "Saranghae" is Korean for "I love you".

A spray-on tan has to be one of the easiest and cost effective ways to get yourself an allover instant golden tan ready for a vacation or special event.  I had the opportunity to try this beauty treatment, a completely customized hand sprayed tan at the Golden Glo Airbrush Tanning salon in Scottsdale.  I am absolutely amazed how natural it looks and how gorgeous it made me feel.
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Who doesn't love getting a manicure and pedicure? Hands and toes primped, pruned and nails painted to perfection leaving little jewels atop each  digit like shiny bling!  And if that weren't enough, the benefit of sitting back, being pampered, reading a trashy magazine or just people watching lost in your own thoughts, ah... bliss!

Wow, who'd have thought eyelashes could be life changing! If you've ever wondered what's involved in having eyelash extensions, what's required on an on-going basis and whether you should take the plunge or not, then you need to read this.  If you want a real reason to justify saying "I woke up like this",  and you're looking to amp up your "hello gorgeous" factor all whilst wearing no makeup, then this is the beauty regimen for you.

To start my Memorial Day weekend in style, I attended the official launch for the opening of the Tom Ford cosmetics counter at Nordstrom Scottsdale, located in the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall in Arizona. I was invited to have my makeup done and meet Allan Aponte, Tom Ford's National Artistry Executive, and of course the lovely staff whom I have come to know over the years due to my love of Tom Ford perfumes, specifically Black Orchid. I've long since been a fan of Tom Ford cosmetics,  his lipsticks are one of the few that don't dry my lips, and the nail color lasts without chipping for days beyond other brands.

I have become much more picky about the products I use since I reached my late forties and early fifties.  I've also become much more skeptical about what products claim to do.  When I find something good I tend to stick to it, unless someone I know convinces me that there is something better.  Today I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite beauty products that I've been using for several years now.  My loyalty to these products has not waned in the slightest, and I use most of them on a daily basis.