A face lift can help to smooth wrinkles from your face, but if you want to preserve your new look, you need to take care of your skin after the procedure. If you are having your facelift in the hot summer months, there are a few special precautions you should take. To keep your facelift looking beautiful, here are some tips to consider:

1. Follow your surgeon's recommendations on when you can be in the sun.

After your facelift, your surgeon will likely give you aftercare instructions. These will include everything from which pain medications you should take to whether or not you can wear make up. If you are having your facelift in the summer, ask your surgeon for specific recommendations regarding sun exposure. In most cases, you may need to wait a certain amount of time before exposing your skin to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

2. Cover scars when going into sunlight.

Most facelifts leave slight scars. Luckily, these scars are typically in discrete areas near your ears, but once you are cleared to go out into the sun by your doctor, you should still take special care not to expose your scars to the sun. Cover them with your hair or a hat.

Unfortunately, scars are more susceptible to burning than the rest of your skin, meaning you have to take extra precautions with these areas.

3. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

In addition to protecting your scars from sunburns, hats also work to protect the rest of your skin. If possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat to cast as much shade as possible, especially when spending long amounts of time in the sun. This protects your face from excessive sun exposure, which can lead to more wrinkles and counteract the youthful effect of your facelift.

4. Carry sunscreen with you at all times.

Unfortunately, hats are not perfect for every occasion, and in some cases, you will need to protect your face from the sun by using sunblock. To ensure you are never compromised, carry sunblock with you at all times. Also, consider using a moisturizer or foundation that has sunblock built into it. However, keep in mind that the built-in sunblock may have a relatively low SPF, so you may want to add a stronger sunscreen for long days at the beach or for your morning jog.

5. Wear UV-resistant sunglasses.

In addition to sunscreen and a hat, you should also invest in quality sunglasses. Make sure you get sunglasses that promise to block UV rays and not just fashion glasses with dark lenses. UV-resistant lenses protect your eyes and reduce glare, making it easier to look into a sunny sky. As a result, sunglasses cut down on squinting, one of the facial expressions that can cause wrinkles around your eyes.

6. Remember to hydrate your skin in air conditioned spaces.

Dealing with the summer heat after a facelift doesn't just mean preparing for the great outdoors. You also have to think about your indoor environment. Unfortunately, if you spend a lot of time in an air conditioned office or home, the AC can cause your skin to become dry.

Dry skin does not create wrinkles, but it emphasizes them. If you just got a facelift to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, you certainly don't want to overemphasize any of the few wrinkles that are left. To prevent the drying effect of your AC, consider investing in a humidifier before your facelift. You can even find small humidifiers to place on your desk at work. Also, keep your skin well hydrated with moisturizers.

For more tips on dealing with the hot sun and the summer weather after a facelift, contact a plastic surgeon or check out a website like http://www.myplasticsurgerygroup.com.

Share