The Facelift Bungee: an alternative to surgery?

26 July 2012

By Plastic Surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer

The Facelift Bungee has apparently become popular in the US and now the UK, but does it actually work? And even if it does, is it really an alternative to a surgical facelift or necklift?

The 'Facelift Bungee' was invented by an American from Palm Beach called Kimberly Aschauer  who wanted to look good for her son’s wedding, and in an attempt to ‘erase’ some of her wrinkles, invented a small contraption she calls the ‘facelift bungee’. This is no more than a piece of elastic fixed between two small combs. It is fastened firmly to a small plait of hair on each side of the head, discreetly stretches across the back of the head, and, secured well, hair can be styled to cover it. The recommendation is that the facelift bungee is worn for up to eight hours per day.

The product is marketed in a jar (much like a face cream) and sells in the Florida area for $24.99. Now it’s hitting UK stores, with the claim (taken from the facelift bungee web site) that it’s the ‘affordable way to hold your face up for the day (or every day) without spending thousands’.

Any kind of taughtening of the skin will have the effect of minimising wrinkles, and according to its many testimonials, this product does work as a temporary measure. The negative is just that- it is a temporary measure- and furthermore, with regular use you will be stretching your skin.

It stands to reason that any stretching of the skin over time leads to further wrinkles to an extent that without the facelift bungee in place, you worsen the problem. Other side effects may be a slight headache (as tight ponytail wearers can sometimes be known to experience) and the fact that with persistent use, you may not feel confident to leave the house and carry out your every-day activities without wearing it. With persistent use, ladies with fine hair may experience a problem with hair breakage, as the product will put stress on the same area of hair each time it is fastened.

Yes, surgery and cosmetic treatments do cost more than $24.99, but the effects of these procedures remain when you wipe off your makeup and get in to bed each night.

Surgery is a big decision, but it will bring you far greater benefits to your appearance and confidence, so while some may wish to purchase the Facelift Bungee for a special occasion or one-off event, there is no substitute for being able to feel good about yourself all the time, and not simply for eight hours of a day.

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