Patient question:
When is the best time to have a facial procedure?
John Chi, MD answer:
Did you know sun exposure is associated with color changes in scars? That’s because UV rays affect the skin at a wound differently than surrounding skin—meaning scars may become more noticeable. The impact of sun exposure on healing tissues can continue for up to a year.
While facial rejuvenation can be performed at any time of the year, we tell patients that a St. Louis winter offers advantages: social calendars usually slow down after the winter holidays and there are fewer reasons to be outdoors in the sun.
Surgical procedures like face-lifts or blepharoplasty leave minimal incisions and can easily be covered from the sun. Facial resurfacing (laser or chemical peel) will leave a larger healing area, and often times, sun protection can only effectively be achieved by staying indoors.
Careful planning will assure your best outcome and shorten your downtime. Formulate a timeline that accounts for each stage of the process:
- Initial consultation with a facial plastic surgeon (days to weeks)
- Time to schedule treatment (days to months)
- Post-treatment recovery (days to months)
For Botox and injectable fillers, one to two weeks is sufficient. For facial rejuvenation procedures, two to six months is a conservative estimate. A facial plastic surgeon can help develop a care plan that best meets your specific needs.
We are happy to discuss your goals, and a rejuvenation plan tailored to your needs is your best approach. For a consultation at our center, call 314-996-3880.