Looking through before-and-after photos of facelift patients is a terrific way for Orlando men and women to assess whether a potential plastic surgeon is the right match for them. Photos can help you decide if a surgeon’s aesthetic approach aligns with your goals and whether they have the experience and ability to create the natural-looking results you desire.
But what should you be looking for as you browse online photo galleries? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you search.
A Diverse Selection of Cases
Ideally, a surgeon’s facelift photo gallery will showcase a diverse group of patients, including people of varying:
- Ages
- Genders
- Ethnicities
- Facial shapes
- Degrees of aging
This shows the doctor has experience customizing procedures and creating exceptional results for many different types of people. It indicates that they will be able to do the same for you, no matter your concerns, circumstances, or goals.
Along the same lines, it’s a positive if a surgeon has a robust gallery with plenty of results to explore. While surgeons typically only display a selection of their cases online, the more examples of natural-looking results you can see, the better.
Well-Hidden Incisions
Facelift incisions are typically hidden in natural creases around the ears and along the hairline. When done right, they should heal into thin, barely visible lines that don’t draw the eye in any way. Great facelift scars are difficult to spot even when you know what you’re looking for.
As you browse facelift pictures, keep an eye out for any obvious scarring. Red flags include:
- Thick or raised scars
- Incisions that are red, pink, or poorly healed
- Scars placed in conspicuous locations that draw attention
Thoughtfully Combined Procedures
A facelift often isn’t the full story when it comes to facial rejuvenation. In many cases, achieving the best possible facelift result means combining the procedure with other anti-aging options, including:
- Neck lift to address loose skin and banding in the neck.
- Endoscopic brow lift or forehead lift to raise the brow.
- Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery to correct bags and drooping.
- Fat transfer to restore volume in the cheeks, temples, and other areas.
- Liposuction to reduce stubborn fat in the face and neck.
- Nonsurgical alternatives, which you can learn more about in this blog post.
The captions of each before-and-after case should include notes about which procedures were included, why they were recommended, and how they were performed.
Thoughtfully combining procedures shows that a surgeon has a genuine commitment not just to performing exceptional facelifts but to using their expertise to help each person look and feel their best.
Consistent Lighting, Backgrounds & Angles
Seeing may be believing, but be careful that what you’re seeing hasn’t been altered or skewed with trick photography or editing. Before-and-after photos should be as consistent as possible to put the spotlight on the results themselves. Unfortunately, some surgeons “tweak” their photos by subtly changing the lighting, background, angle, and even camera quality from shot to shot.
Another trick to check for authenticity: Do a reverse image search online to check whether the photos were pulled from another source. It’ll help you make sure the results you see have been legitimately created by the surgeon taking credit.
People Who Look Like You
Understanding what you can realistically expect to look like after surgery is one of the most important factors influencing how happy you are with your results. Facelifts are known to turn back the clock by as much as a decade, but that looks different from person to person. Seeing people whose “before” photos look like you will give you a better idea of how your results are likely to turn out.
If you don’t see cases that look quite like yours, ask to see examples during your consultation. Plastic surgeons often have many more photos to go over in person and will be able to show you cases similar to yours.
I also use computer imaging to help you envision your own before-and-after photos before you go into surgery. During the consultation process, I use the imaging software to create a rendering of your predicted results based on your custom treatment plan. Results typically turn out almost identical to the software’s prediction.
Natural-Looking Results
As you look through photos, you should see results that elevate and rejuvenate each person’s unique look. Every person should still look like themselves, just a younger and more vibrant version.
Red flags to look out for include the infamous tightly pulled skin or an overall “worked on” appearance. Today’s advanced facelift techniques address the deeper tissues of the face rather than just the skin. This creates longer-lasting and more natural-looking outcomes, which you should see reflected in photos.
Where To Begin?
When you’re ready to start looking at pictures, why not begin by visiting our own facelift before-and-after photo gallery? If you live in the Orlando area and would like to see more of Dr. Gross’ facelift before-and-after photos, please request a consultation or call
(407) 333-3040 to schedule an appointment