Skin smoothing

Synonyms

Face lift, rhytidectomy

General

Nowadays, aesthetics and a young, fresh appearance are becoming more and more important for a large number of people. Skin irregularities are often perceived as increasingly annoying by those affected and viewed as unsightly blemishes. Basically, however, it is a perfectly normal phenomenon of the aging process. Since there is a significant change within the body around the beginning of the 25th year of life, this is widely regarded as the beginning of the aging process.

A change in metabolic and cell renewal processes goes hand in hand with this change, and humans begin to age. Wrinkles are generally caused by the loss of elasticity and resilience of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. But the progression of the aging process and the formation of skin folds differ from person to person.

Genetic factors and various external influences (so-called exogenous factors) have an enormous influence on the aging process. The frequent consumption of nicotine and / or alcohol is considered to accelerate the symptoms of skin aging. Excessive sunbathing (UV light) also has an extremely negative effect on the appearance of the skin. It has been proven that the skin of people who are exposed to UV light frequently and intensively ages much faster.

Reasons for skin smoothing

The already mentioned sagging symptoms of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue underneath it are only one reason for the desire for a skin tightening. Especially people who are enormous Weight loss in a short time, suffer from excess skin flaps and limp connective tissue. In the area of ​​the upper arms, the thighs and the stomach in particular, sagging skin can be perceived as very annoying and unaesthetic.

In addition, many women suffer from Connection to a pregnancy under excess skin flaps. The question of whether a surgical measure makes sense cannot be answered across the board. The level of suffering of the individual patient and the extent of the sagging skin areas should not be disregarded when making a decision. In the end, the decision as to whether plastic, surgical skin smoothing should be carried out depends primarily on the patient's feeling. However, there are some medical conditions that may make skin smoothing necessary.

Methods

In order to achieve the best possible result for the respective patient in the course of surgical skin smoothing, various methods are available. The choice of the suitable method depends on the initial condition and extent of the slackened areas as well as the desired end result. The aim of any plastic, surgical skin smoothing is to remove the excess skin flaps and the subcutaneous fatty tissue underneath. In addition, the aim is to tighten the remaining skin. The operative skin smoothing offers the advantage that the treatment results achieved can usually be viewed as extremely successful. The removal of large areas of skin with subsequent smoothing of the remaining skin can be guaranteed. The disadvantage of these methods is the fact that surgical skin smoothing is not necessary Scarring not possible. In the meantime, however, incision and suturing methods are available to the treating physicians that largely reduce the extent of the scarring. In addition, in the course of smoothing the skin, the areas of the cuts are chosen so that they are as hidden as possible and generally hardly noticeable.Typical places where the cuts are made are Groin, the Bikini line or the inside of the Thigh.

Skin smoothing on the face

Skin smoothing on the face is generally known under the name of "face lift" or "wrinkle correction". The reason for the decision to undergo a facelift is the formation of deep facial wrinkles in most patients, which are mainly caused by the consumption of tobacco, frequent sun exposure or severe weight loss.

The exact procedure for a facelift is based on the degree of relaxation of the facial skin. In general, a distinction is made between the complete face lift and the treatment of individual areas (for example: forehead lift or cheek lift). In order to achieve particularly effective skin smoothing, both the skin and muscle structures must be tightened and fixed to solid structures by attaching sutures.
After the actual skin smoothing has been carried out, the excess skin is removed and the remaining edge of the skin is sewn in a place that is as inconspicuous as possible.

Alternatively, the somewhat smaller and therefore less risky operation of eyelid correction can bring about a visual rejuvenation by opening up the view and removing wrinkles and bags under the eyes.

Skin smoothing of the neck

Skin smoothing in the neck area consists of two individual steps. At the beginning of the operative procedure a Liposuctionwhich is followed by the removal of the excess skin tissue. In some cases, an ideal result can be achieved simply by liposuction without further surgical measures. If the findings are pronounced, however, a more extensive one is necessary surgery perform. The entire operation can usually take local anesthesia carried out, anesthesia is only necessary in individual cases.

Also read: Double chin exercises

Skin smoothing of the abdomen

When smoothing the skin of the abdomen, a cut is made between the belly button and the Pubic hairline set. The excess skin and the skin underneath Subcutaneous and fatty tissue can then be completely removed. The navel can then be shifted so that the ideal, aesthetic overall picture is achieved. In the last step, the treating cosmetic surgeon tightens the remaining areas of the skin and sutures them. The Scarring is largely contained in this way.

Risks

Since skin smoothing is a surgical procedure risks are the same as with any other operation. It can become too in the area of ​​the operation Infections and Wound healing disorders come. In addition, there is a risk of developing after the surgical measure Secondary bleeding. In addition, the smoothing of the skin can damage the smallest nerve fibers in the area of ​​the skin and the underlying tissue. In such a case, there is a chance that the damage will heal completely. In some patients, however, it can become permanent Loss of sensation come in the area of ​​the operation. Most patients speak of only mild to moderate immediately after smoothing the skin Pain and an intense one Feeling of tension. Ingestion easier Painkiller is usually completely sufficient to achieve an eyelid.

costs

Skin smoothing is one of the plastic, aesthetic operations. Because of this, the skin is smoothed by neither legal, nor from the private health insurance companies paid. The costs for performing skin smoothing fluctuate extremely widely within Germany, but the exact amount ultimately depends on the initial condition, the desired result and the selected surgical method. Although skin smoothing in many cases without induction of anesthesia, under local anesthesia can be performed, some patients still choose to use one general anestheticwhich entails additional costs. On average, be used for this type of sedation 1000 to 2000 euros demands. The price of a skin tightening in Germany is approximately 1500 to 6500 euros. The main part of these costs does not account for the actual lifting, but primarily the postoperative monitoring and the subsequent hospital stay. As a rule, the necessary preliminary examinations, the consultation and all necessary control examinations are covered by these costs.