Today, facial plastic surgeons are able to customize the facelift to the specific needs of each patient. The incision, which usually begins in the temple area and extends around the ear and then back toward the scalp, is based on the type of correction desired and whether the surgery is performed on a man or a woman. Since no hair is shaved for the surgery, the incisions are fairly inconspicuous while healing, and the hairline and the creases surrounding the ears hide remaining scars very effectively. Facelift incisions are quite quick to heal, and camouflaging makeup can be used just 10 days after surgery.
Most facelift patients resume most of their normal activities about two weeks after surgery.
A California research company is already at work developing a method to reverse baldness by delivering hair-growing genes directly into inactive hair follicles. The company also hopes to develop genetic therapies to make gray hair grow dark again and straight hair permanently curly. Other researchers are looking at the possibility of a genetic treatment that yields a permanent tan. NIH officials already have granted approval for gene therapy experiments to be carried out on healthy subjects. No wonder one in five adults today has acne.