No matter how natural the result of your facelift is, undergoing cosmetic surgery is not a “natural” occurrence for your skin. In fact, it can be somewhat traumatic. Your facial plastic surgeon will tell you that the first few days after surgery are key to achieving optimal results. It’s up to you to follow your physician’s good advice and give the skin you’re in the best possible care after surgery.

A surgical procedure always involves trauma in the incision area and a complete facelift is among the most invasive of cosmetic facial procedures. It’s important after surgery to baby your skin so that it can heal properly and help to make the most of your surgeon’s skills and talent.

Keeping the skin and incision areas clean is especially important after surgery, but not just any soap will do. Use a mild hypoallergenic soap that won’t cause skin irritation or produce an allergic reaction. A mild astringent pad is best used for deeper cleansing which can help prevent the skin from breaking out during the healing process. Any makeup should be gently washed off at night as part of your aftercare skin cleansing regimen.

When outdoors, be sure to use sunblock with an SPF 30+ rating in sensitive incision areas to ensure adequate protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunblock will also guard against skin damage in general.  A gentle moisturizer applied judiciously will help to keep the skin soft and supple. Above all, make sure your skin stays fully hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water daily to aid in a healthy recovery.

Your facial plastic surgeon knows best when it comes to post-surgical care.  To learn more about the facelift and aftercare, contact board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle S. Choe of The Choe Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Virginia Beach at 757.389.5850.