Raval Facial Aesthetics Blog

When you hear the term “injectables,” you think of dermal fillers and Botox, right? Well, it’s time to expand your thinking because now there is an injectable option that can do even more. Much more. A thread lift can lift, tighten, firm, and smooth your skin, producing more visible, longer-lasting results. And did we mention thread lifts are injectable? Yes, we did.

We all see it when we look into the mirror. The way our eyes look as they stare back at us year after year. Those little lines begin to creep up and the skin starts to sag a little. Perhaps the dark shadows under your eyes bug you the most. What are you going to do about it? Well, you have several options, depending on the type and severity of your issue.

For anyone seeking a younger look or a rejuvenated appearance, getting a mini-facelift is an intriguing and potentially appealing option. Some of the advantages are obvious: a mini-facelift is less expensive and invasive than a full facelift, and the recovery period is shorter and less difficult. Moreover, the procedure is generally considered safer than a full facelift. And finally, for some patients, their appearance is more natural looking, with a less jarring transition from "before" to "after."
But the decision is sometimes more complex than it appears. Many patients have expectations for a mini-facelift that are unnaturally high, and they have no idea how to find the right doctor. To get the right results, candidates must be carefully matched to the appropriate surgical procedure, and the plastic surgeon must have the correct combination of skills and experience for the operation to be a success.

Although some view plastic surgery as dramatic, unrealistic, and vain, others—like Dr. Raval supports cosmetic surgeries as moderate, natural, and healthy procedures for patients with the right expectations. In a recent column, Huffington Post writer, Kristen Houghton supported Dr. Raval’s professional view in a natural aesthetic, saying she doesn’t “want to make a drastic change; I just want to look fresh and healthy.” Ms. Houghton, like many of Dr. Raval’s patients, have learned that not only are natural, healthy-looking procedures available with the right surgeon, but also that each procedure is as unique as the patient. Knowing that your facelift, eyelid lift, or other surgical treatment is uniquely your own allows you to see the myth of the “dramatic, unrealistic, and vain surgery.” Through individual consultation and deep expertise, Dr. Raval supports surgery only as a positive option for his patients’ appearance, health, and self-image. Ms. Houghton is a good example of the patient with realistic expectations.

Cosmetic surgery has evolved tremendously over the last couple of decades. Earlier, the products available at the disposal of cosmetic surgeons could not guarantee 100% patient safety and also often under-performed. Maybe that was because this form of surgery was not considered a part of mainstream medicine and there was lack of research and funds.

It is essential to do your homework if you’re considering a facelift, because medical knowledge and techniques are constantly evolving. After all, if you’re going to have surgery, you want the latest (and greatest). Facelifts have come a long, long way since the days of tight, unnatural looking results.

The whole point of getting a facelift is to look different, right? Still you, but more youthful. Refreshed. More vibrant. Healthier looking. A facelift does alter your face, at least to some degree. So could those improvements have an unintended downside? What if your phone no longer recognizes you?

At Raval Facial Aesthetics and ENT, our philosophy is “less is more.” With today’s advanced medical knowledge and techniques, Dr. Jeffrey Raval, MD, MBA, FACS can make smaller changes that achieve big results in keeping your face looking vibrant and youthful. However, sometimes he has to go deeper to achieve the best possible results. That’s where a deep plane facelift comes in.

Who would have imagined a generation ago (or even more recently) that you could enjoy a significant “lift” in facial appearance without ever undergoing surgery? Boy, how times have changed . . . and, boy, are we glad! While there are still times when a bit of surgery is just what the doctor ordered, far less invasive alternatives such as a liquid facelift can be surprisingly (and subtly) effective.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a product called Restylane Lyft that can help patients look younger, increase volume, and lift sagging skin. The procedure has been called a five-minute facelift because of the amazing, immediate results.