Facelifts have emerged as a common cosmetic surgical procedure. It promises to remove the ravages of time from our faces.

As we grow older the muscles of our face lose their elasticity. This creates wrinkles - lines and folds of skin on our faces.

Wrinkles are some of the most visible signs of aging. As a cosmetic procedure, facelifts are increasingly being used to tighten saggy skin and get rid of wrinkles.

After a facelift the face looks more youthful and more alert. Facelifts can be conducted on the whole face but sometimes only a partial procedure.

It may be recommended for the brow area or the lower face. Another alternative is to get just the neck area tightened.

The results of a facelift are expected to last from 7 to 10 years. However, you should be aware that this procedure may have no effect on certain areas. For example, the fine skin lines around the mouth area.

Facelifts are a costly cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. Apart from the considerable financial burden, the recovery time involved in this procedure is considerable (almost 4 weeks).

Scarring of the face as a by-product of the operation is a risk. Although a good surgeon can reduce the risk and appearance of the operation.

Recoveries from plastic surgery in some instances can be long, and painful. The patient may have to suffer a strict regimen of antibiotics and strong painkillers.

You should also be aware that repeated procedures tend to be less promising. Especially, as the facial skin ages, it becomes less responsive to treatments.

If you are reluctant to undergo this surgery but want to look younger there are alternatives to it. Most of these alternative treatments are non-surgical procedures and work on the

surface layers of facial skin. Some treatments like Rejuvinol™ boast rich ingredients to moisturize and smooth out wrinkles.

Other popular alternatives to facelifts are... - chemical peels - external or resurfacing laser treatments, - tissue augmentations, - anti wrinkle injections (for example, Botox).

Some of these treatments can also be used in combination with a facelift to delay the aging of face.

One of the most effective surface treatments is laser resurfacing. It can help to reduce surface wrinkles from the face.

It involves the removing of the upper layers of the skin with the help of a laser. It is a non-surgical procedure and involves relatively less post-treatment care.

A chemical peel makes the facial skin feel smoother and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It does this by removing the damaged surface layers of skin - as in laser resurfacing.

The recovery period is negligible for this treatment. However, patients are advised to avoid the sun and religiously apply sun block in order to safeguard the newly exposed skin from the harsh effects of sunlight.

A very popular alternative to a facelift operation is the injecting of collagen into the face. This is particularly useful to remove laugh lines from around the mouth.

Also they are quite effective against any deep naso-labial folds that might have formed in the mouth area. The collagen injected into the affected area raises the skin layer, plumping it out.

This action actually smoothes away the wrinkles and the result is a more youthful appearance. Usually, this procedure lasts only a few minutes. Its effects can last up to a period of 6 months.

Another highly popular 'injecting' procedure involves Botox (or botulinum

toxin type A). These injections are used to treat the wrinkles appearing on the forehead and between the eyes. Also, botox can be injected both around the eyes (to reduce crow's feet) and around the mouth (to smoothen out laugh lines). A botox session is hardly 10 minutes long and its effects are apparent within a few days. The effects of this procedure last up to 3 or 4 months.

Botox should only be administered by licensed professional doctors.

Fortunately there are some less invasive products and procedures that can give results that rival the benefits of Botox and collagen injections. Rejuvinol™ found at Amazon and from www.BODeStore.com, may be one of those products. Its makers market a powerful, advanced anti-aging formula. It has been touted for its amazing anti-aging and moisturizing qualities. They illustrate how it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves skin firmer, younger-looking, more vibrant and healthier. Discover the Latest Health Tips for 2006 at... http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com . Visit The Fit After 40 http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm to Stay in Tune with Your Health. Article courtesy of... Kamau Austin, All Rights Reserved



About the author:

Kamau Austin is Owner of AMS Publishing and is a business and fitness wellness advocate. See more of his health and fitness tips at www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com or get Internet marketing solutions at www.SearchEnginePlan.com

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