By Harley Street plastic surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer. 

The face is often the first reflection of your age.

If someone asks you to guess how old they are, how do you gauge your opinion?

You look at their face. You look for physical signs of aging (or lack thereof) that could highlight whether they are likely to be in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s etc.

We typically encounter different signs of aging as we enter different periods of our life. It’s usually relatively easy to distinguish someone in their early 20’s compared to someone in their mid-30’s, or someone in their late 30’s to someone in their late 40’s.

Some people are far more fortunate than others and show less signs of aging, particularly during the earlier onset of aging which typically occurs from around the late 20’s or early 30’s onwards, but eventually, the aging process catches up with everyone.

With the face typically being such a clear telling sign of your age, it’s no wonder a facelift in London, and the world over, is one of the most popular surgical facial procedures to be performed on both women and men.

What causes aging skin?

The reason patients seek out a facelift procedure is to combat aging skin. Lines and wrinkles form over the years, along with jowls and a tendency for everything to begin heading south. Collagen loss is the most natural culprit of aging skin - this is something we simply cannot stop from happening. Then there are other things that cause our skin to age faster, such as repetitive facial expressions, sun damage, an unhealthy diet, and substance abuse - including alcohol and tobacco.

Over the years, these all contribute towards thinner, more delicate skin. Your cheeks lose volume, crepey skin forms, wrinkles become visible around the eyes, forehead, nose, and mouth area - it’s these physical signs of aging on the face that ultimately has people Google searching the likes of “facelift surgery in London”, or “how to look younger”.

Read: What are the benefits of facelift surgery?

How can I stop the signs of aging on my face?

While you can’t wave a magic wand to take your appearance back a decade or two, there are still options available that mean you don’t have to settle for skin that makes you appear far older than you actually feel.

The facelift is an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure that can achieve fantastic results. A facelift will tighten sagging skin, freshen your features, restore your confidence, and leave you both looking and feeling much more youthful - and with the right cosmetic surgeon, this can be done in a subtle way that will leave people completely oblivious to the fact you’ve had cosmetic surgery, including people you see regularly.

Find a facelift surgery expert in London

The key to achieving natural-looking results is by finding a reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon with the expertise and techniques required to carry out the procedure to the highest standard. You must ensure your plastic surgeon fully understands the complex structures of the face and be someone who can determine that you’re the right candidate for facelift surgery.

Personally, I perform the facelift procedure in London, but my patients travel from far and wide to undergo surgery with myself as they feel they can put their trust in my knowledge and ability. If you have to travel to another city or even another country to find the plastic surgeon that you feel most comfortable with, then it is certainly a small sacrifice worth making given the importance of receiving the correct advice, procedure, and facelift after care.

During an initial facelift consultation, your plastic surgeon will discuss your circumstances in detail and fully evaluate your face. You will have the opportunity to run through the things that bother you, what you hope to achieve from the procedure, and learn more about what is possible.

Read: 5 common questions about facelift surgery

Things taken into consideration during a facelift consultation include:

• Your age
• The volume your face has lost from the natural aging process
• Any noticeable skin damage
• Any noticeable asymmetries or irregularities
• What you are hoping to achieve from the facelift

My London facelift procedure typically involves small, discrete incisions being made around the ears or scalp so that the skin can be gently tightened. Fat transfer procedures can redistribute volume in the face which helps to restore a fresher and more youthful appearance. Scarring is minimal and incredibly difficult to notice, and when performed with care and skill, the results are naturally stunning.

Some doctors can overdo the procedure, resulting in patients with a face that looks too taut or not well balanced. I take a far more conservative approach to facelifts and cosmetic surgery in general, instead focusing on a result that is as natural-looking as possible. I prefer to enhance the natural beauty that already exists rather than make wholesale changes or overperform a procedure.

I find that patients are far happier with a facelift that achieves the desired results in a very subtle way, boosting their confidence and providing them with a new lease of life with a version of themselves that they can’t wait to show off - after recovery, of course!

If you’re considering a facelift in London or would like to discuss your aesthetic goals with a reputable cosmetic surgeon in London, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me here at Harley Street Aesthetics. I perform the facelift procedure as well as my signature TBT-Facelift, along with many other cosmetic procedures. Book your initial consultation today by calling 0845 519 7232, e-mailing info@harleystreetaesthetics.com or by simply completing our online contact form.