I Tie my Hair Up to Give Myself a Psedo Face Lift. Would an Actual Lift Give the Same Look?

   Without seeing a picture or having the benefit of an exam, the description you give will likely involve more than just a facelift.  Perhaps some form of brow lift with or without eyelid surgery may be appropriate.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

When you tie your hair back, you are affecting the skin in areas that a facelift alone may not address. There is a lot of tension being placed on your forehead/brow area, and you may benefit from a brow lift.  Typically, a brow lift can make the following improvements:

1) Improve a sad or tired appearance
2) Reduce the appearance of sagging skin in the forehead

 

A surgeon with a good aesthetic eye will not usually require a demonstration of how you would like your eyes to appear.  They will be able to make suggestions to determine what procedure(s) will best enhance your own natural look and make the greatest improvement to your appearance. I would recommend a consultation with a board certified surgeon that has a great deal of experience performing procedures the the eyes and brow. Thanks and I hope this helps!

Tying your hair up like you mention will simulate a brow lift as you have noticed.  An actual facelift is intended to lift the neck, cheeks, and jowls.  Your question is not a silly question at all.  Anything that helps you communicate better with your plastic surgeon is of value in obtaining the result you want.

Don't be embarrassed at all. What you are describing is very common. Many of my patients will simulate what type of result they are looking for by pulling the hair or facial skin up and back. They often do this in the mirror to imagine how they would like to change there face. Keep in mind however that not all of the areas you can pull with your hair or fingers can realistically be pulled with surgery. See a facelift surgeon in our area and don't be embarrassed to show them how you would like to look and find out from them what procedures might be helpful.

Hairline raised to alter facial shape is one way to show what you want. I would need to see you to determine if this can be done, which it probably can. Some combination of forehead and or facelift should do this.