Synonyms
facelift, rhytidectomy
General information
Nowadays, aesthetics and a young, fresh appearance is becoming more and more important for a large number of people. Skin irregularities are often perceived by those affected as increasingly annoying and seen as an unattractive blemish. Basically, however, they are a completely normal phenomenon of the aging process.
As there is a significant change within the body at about the beginning of the 25th year of life, this is widely regarded as the beginning of the aging process. A change in the metabolism and cell renewal processes goes hand in hand with this change, the human being begins to age. Wrinkles generally arise from the loss of the skin’s and subcutaneous tissue’s own elasticity and resilience.
However, the progress of the aging process and the formation of skin wrinkles varies 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 an accelerator of skin aging symptoms. 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 slackening of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue underneath is only one reason for the desire for a skin tightening. Especially people who have achieved enormous weight loss in a short period of time suffer from excess skin flaps and slack connective tissue. Especially in the area of the upper arms, thighs and abdomen, slack skin can be perceived as very disturbing and unaesthetic.
In addition, many women suffer from excess skin flaps following pregnancy. The question whether a surgical measure is sensible cannot be answered in a generalized way. The degree of suffering of the individual patient and the extent of the flaccid areas of skin should not be disregarded in the decision making process. Ultimately, the decision whether plastic, surgical skin smoothing should be performed depends primarily on the patient’s sensation. However, there are some medical conditions that may make skin smoothing necessary.
