Once you have made the investment in facial plastic surgery, it’s natural to want to know how you can best maintain your new look. Although facial plastic surgery itself is meant to last for many years, the more you maintain the overall appearance of your skin, the better your results can look in the long term. The team at Wise Med Spa has combined some of the best tips and tricks for preparing for surgery, bouncing back after surgery, and prolonging your results for years to come.
Preparing your skin for surgery
Soft, hydrated, and clean skin looks, heals, and functions much better after surgery. Therefore, taking care of your skin pre-surgery can be helpful in improving the healing process, including minimizing bleeding and bruising. Depending on whether your skin is normal, oily, dry, dehydrated, or impure, getting your skin in its optimal health might just require changing some of your skincare products and getting a pre-surgery facial, or doing a series of DMK therapies and chemical peels. Either way, Alison, our licensed esthetician will be happy to consult with you to find a solution that works best for your skin’s needs.
Good after-surgery care starts with…
Following the doctor’s orders! Dr. Wise and his expert care team have put together after-care instructions specific to each surgery, designed to keep your skin in an environment conducive to healing. Icing and elevation are both paramount while recovering, as is following the after-care instructions as closely as possible, to keep swelling and bruising at bay, and ensure proper scar healing. Depending on the surgical procedure, some patients may benefit from the mild exfoliation and lymphatic drainage provided by DMK, an internationally recognized therapeutic facial.
DMK Enzyme Therapy is designed to improve lymphatic drainage while also eliminating impurities and toxins from the skin. This is achieved through a phenomenon called “Plasmatic Effect” – transfer messenger enzymes applied to the face and décolleté encourage circulation and oxygenation to replenish the skin and bring it back to the optimal cellular level. Pre-op DMK treatments can be done as late as a day before surgery. DMK will help prepare for faster recovery by enriching and strengthening the skin’s capillary bed.
Post-operative DMK diminishes swelling and bruising and can be performed as early as a week post-surgery. Having between 2-4 treatments before and after a procedure like a Facelift can help reduce swelling, oedema, bruising, and inflammation, for an even quicker recovery.
I’ve recovered from surgery. Now what?
No amount of healthy eating, exercise, or meditation will ever stop the aging process in its tracks or rewire genetics but they can help you extend the life of your plastic surgery results. Regardless of the specific procedure you undergo, there are various tips and strategies you can follow to ensure the results of your procedure last as long as possible.
- Sun exposure – Minimizing the amount of time you spend in the sun is a good idea regardless of whether or not you’ve had a cosmetic procedure, since sun exposure is one of the leading causes of wrinkles and lines, sun damage, pigmentation concerns, skin cancer, and other conditions. Always lather up on sunscreen: opt for mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or more!
- Medical grade skincare – A proper daily routine with high-quality products can keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. In an ideal situation, skin would be cleansed regularly and pampered with topical agents like hyaluronic acid, C vitamin, and retinol products. Our team can help you set up a routine that’s best for your skin type.
- Hydrated & healthy – nothing is quite as vital to preserving healthy, firm and glowing skin than eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated. Sugar, for instance, acts as an enemy of any anti-aging efforts because it triggers a chemical process called glycation that damages molecules that are vital for optimum skin health.
- Smoking – nicotine can delay your overall healing process, cause tissue death and dry out your skin, making it age more rapidly. It’s fair to say that it’s better to quit smoking than unjustly let it undo your surgery results.
- Non-surgical boosters – patients often choose to continue their regular cosmetic routines or add new procedures after surgery to prolong results and enhance their look. Bi-annual chemical peels, injectable dermal fillers, wrinkle relaxers and laser treatments are all effective ways to refresh and keep your skin looking its best. Our team also recommends amping up your skin’s collagen and elastin production with Morpheus8 and Ultherapy.
Although everyone’s individual surgery journey is different, our team is here to ensure that you get the best and longest-lasting results possible. Have some questions about skincare or maintenance treatments post-surgery, or want to know how to best prepare your skin for an upcoming procedure? Get in touch to let our expert team guide you!
