Sun Exposure after Facelift Surgery
A facelift smooths and tightens the skin of the mid to lower face to improve facial contours and minimize lines and wrinkles. Although a facelift offers impressive results, it is important to remember that it is a surgery. At Tarrant Plastic Surgery, Dr. Vishnu Rumalla discusses the importance of following all post-surgical instructions to encourage a successful recovery and preserve surgical results.
Sun exposure after facelift surgery can damage facial skin and interfere with healing. Here, our Keller, TX patients can learn more about protecting the skin from sun damage after a facelift.
How Does Sun Exposure Affect Healing?
If the facial skin is exposed to the sun during the initial phase of facelift recovery, it can be extremely damaging. The skin will be very sensitive during this time, and harsh UV rays will only worsen the most common side effects of facelift surgery.
Sun exposure immediately following a facelift could increase bleeding and intensify swelling. In addition, sun exposure can alter the pigmentation of the skin, which can make surgical incisions and scars look even more prominent.
How Long Should I Avoid the Sun?
We recommend that our Keller patients avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks after facelift surgery. However, even after this two-week period is over and patients begin to feel well again, it is important that patients minimize sun exposure and take proper precautions when they are in the sun.
Protecting Facial Skin Long-term
Ideally, our Keller patients should never be in the sun without some type of protection. Sun exposure contributes to common signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. After going through a facelift procedure, patients should do as much as possible to preserve facelift results and protect the skin against further signs of aging.
- Sunscreen is a must: As soon as facelift incisions have healed, patients should make sunscreen a daily habit. Many moisturizes and makeups contain SPF protection, which should make it easy to make sunscreen a daily part of your skincare routine.
- Stay in the shade: Whether lying by the pool or having lunch in the park, finding a shady spot is important. Even if the shade doesn’t provide complete coverage, it is still better than sitting in direct sunlight.
- Cover up: It’s not realistic for someone to spend all of their time indoors. However, we do suggest that patients cover the skin as much as possible when they are outdoors. Wide-brimmed hats can block the face from direct sunlight. Large sunglasses are also recommended, since they can protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
Contact Us
Facelift surgery significantly improves the appearance of facial skin to give patients a fresher, more youthful appearance. If you have questions about the facelift procedure or would like to find out if you are an ideal candidate for treatment, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can also call us at (817) 741-6801 to set up a personal consultation with Dr. Vishnu Rumalla.