If you are thinking about getting a facelift, one of the first things you might look at on a prospective surgeon’s website is their collection of photos showcasing facelifts before and after. These images can show you what a facelift can (and cannot achieve) and offer a look at the quality of a surgeon’s work. However, it’s important to understand that photos may not show you the full picture of a surgeon’s qualifications or the exact results you might expect from your procedure.
Photos Showcase a Surgeon’s Range, Not Guaranteed Outcomes
A photo gallery on a plastic surgeon’s website shouldn’t be viewed with the expectation that you will achieve an identical outcome. Each patient is unique due to their age, facial anatomy, genetics, and skin texture. So, it’s important to evaluate every facelift before and after based on each patient’s identity. Do the after photos preserve and enhance their individual appearance? Do the results look natural? Do patients still look like themselves?
By evaluating photos in this way, you get a sense of a surgeon’s aesthetic approach. You should also look for variety in the age, bone structure, and facial anatomy of each patient. Does the surgeon only perform facelifts on 50-year-olds with mild skin laxity, or do they work on a wider range of patients across different age groups and demographics?
Look for Consistency Across Photos
As you evaluate before and after photos, pay attention to the lighting and camera angles to ensure that the after images aren’t being manipulated to enhance a patient’s results. Look for before and after image sets featuring multiple views of the face (front, profile, etc.) and be wary of after photos that don’t show scar placement or other minor skin imperfections.
Note Additional Procedures
Patients who undergo facelifts often pair their surgery with other procedures like laser resurfacing, blepharoplasty, brow lifts, fat injections, or Botox injection. Note whether these procedures are also shown in facelift before and after photos, as they will impact the results. You should also note what type of facelift a patient has done, as a deep plane facelift will yield much different results than a mini facelift.
Consider Qualifications Beyond Before and After Photos
Looking at a photo gallery can be a great start when finding a surgeon to perform your facelift, but you should go deeper in researching their qualifications. Not all plastic surgeons specialize in facelifts, so take note of how many of these surgeries they perform in a month as well as the types of facelifts they offer. For example, the deep plane facelift technique is a specialized procedure that focuses on the deeper facial ligaments, and it requires special training and extensive experience.
Dr. Christopher Maloney at Maloney Plastic Surgery performs about 3-4 facelifts per week and has been practicing for more than 20 years. Facial rejuvenation is one of his specialties and what he is most recognized for, with patients traveling from across the country for his refined, personalized approach. His techniques are designed to minimize healing time, optimize results, and avoid that “worked on” appearance, helping you back to your daily routine faster. If you are ready to take the next step towards planning your surgery, request a virtual consultation with Dr. Maloney today.
