Have you heard about the new trend, ponytail facelifts? If you are picturing an image of a girl with her hair styled in a super slick, super high, super tight ponytail hairstyle that is pulling her entire face up, we will not blame you because ponytail facelift is the marketing term and not the medical for this new trendy treatment that is getting everyone's attention. Ponytail facelift is actually a surgical procedure, and we managed to ask board-certified plastic surgeons Steven Levine, MD, Carolyn Chang, MD, and Robert Guida, MD, to enlighten us on everything we need to know about ponytail facelifts.
What Is This Surgical Procedure?
As explained by Carolyn Chang, a ponytail facelift is the marketing term for a surgical procedure that involves a minimally-invasive lift that is performed through small incisions that would help the face mimic the look it makes when the hair is being tightly pulled back in a ponytail style. Steven Levine has mentioned that the term ponytail facelift actually has a two-fold meaning, and the exact name for it is just a marketing term and not exactly the textbook procedure. During a ponytail facelift, the incisions are placed completely within the hairline and not around the ears, which makes it different from the basic facelift. If you are thinking about wearing a ponytail after the surgical procedure, you can easily do so without worrying about possible scars.
What Are The Benefits Of A Ponytail Facelift?
According to Carolyn Chang, the main benefits a ponytail facelift can give you includes the lifting of your face's temples, jowls, and midface. The surgical lift procedure concentrates on the patient's midface and does not allow much skin excision, and the surgical treatment is best used on people who are showing visible signs of early aging. A ponytail facelift can make your mid-face lifted, which can make you look younger. Robert Guida added that complimenting the ponytail facelift with the fractional C02 laser can help add a better, younger-looking texture to the skin. The fractional C02 laser can significantly enhance the results of the ponytail facelift, according to Guida.
How To Prepare For A Ponytail Facelift?
Preparing for a ponytail facelift is pretty much the same as other preparation protocols that would involve plastic surgery, which means no smoking allowed for at least one month before the surgical procedure, having a proper healthy weight, avoiding eating anything after midnight before the ponytail facelift and have realistic expectations about the surgical procedure. It is essential to avoid taking any medications that would involve blood thinning before the surgical procedure and make sure that your facial skin is in excellent condition before undergoing the ponytail facelift, be sure to give your skin time to heal and recover after the procedure.
What Can You Expect During A Ponytail Facelift?
According to Carolyn Chang, a ponytail facelift is not a textbook medical procedure which means that there will be a few variabilities in how this surgical procedure would be performed on the patient. During the surgical procedure, Chang mentioned that a small hidden incision would be made along the hairline area, and the deeper structures on the face are lifted into a more favorable position that helps the aged look of the patient; this can be performed with the help of an endoscope and suspension sutures. If you are worried about any possible pain during the surgical operation, do not worry because this is a surgical procedure that will be performed carefully with anesthesia.
Traditional Facelift VS Ponytail Facelift
While these two procedures are both facelift procedures, they are not the same; the main difference between the two is the incisions made during these facelift procedures. According to Carolyn Chang, a traditional facelift will leave longer scars that can be found around the ear and into the scalp, while the ponytail facelift does not have visible scars on that area. Steven Levine added that modern versions of the traditional facelift usually come with minimal scarring around the ears and that patients can wear their hair up after the traditional facelift procedure. During a traditional facelift, the placement of incisions done by the doctors can help remove loose skin, lift up the lower face, and address neck skin issues, while these can not be done during a ponytail facelift. Although it is important to note that the ponytail facelift is minimally invasive and the work needed to be done during the procedure is lesser than the traditional facelift, which makes the recovery phase faster.
Possible Side Effects Of Ponytail Facelift
According to Rober Guida, the ponytail facelift has a common complication that happens with any facelift procedure; five to seven percent of patients can experience a hematoma, which is a small collection of blood that is found under the skin. Various possible side effects from a ponytail facelift include infection, bleeding, numbness, nerve injuries, possible delays in the healing of the wound, and unfavorable scarring. To ensure that your ponytail facelift is a success, be sure to do this surgical procedure with a licensed and board-certified surgeon to avoid any mishaps that could occur during the procedure.
The Cost Of The Procedure
The price of a ponytail facelift can vary depending on where you are having the surgical procedure, and this would include the surgeon's price and the location of where the procedure will happen. Robert Guida mentioned that a ponytail facelift in places such as Manhattan could range from around $20,000 to $30,000.
Post Surgery Treatment
After the surgical procedure, you will experience some bruising and swelling that would last around 5 to 7 days after the surgery, most people who have undertaken the procedure would be able to return to their regular work and everyday lives after a week. It is crucial to avoid doing any tiring and strenuous activities for the following weeks after the surgery. Steven Levine added that general surgery is not that painful, so not many pain medications would be required.
Key Takeaway
While the ponytail facelift is becoming a trendy treatment, it does not necessarily mean that you should try it immediately. Steven Levine mentions that it is a bad idea to go into a surgeon's office with a specific procedure in mind and that it is best to tell the surgeon what is bothering you so that they can work on how to address you with the best treatment that can fix your issue. Just because a clever marketing procedure is becoming a trendy treatment does not mean it would be the correct type of facelift or surgical procedure for you.
