Facelift, Injectable Treatment
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The last thing anyone wants is for their face to look worn down. Unfortunately, between sun damage and the natural aging process, looking “aged” is difficult to avoid.
Wrinkles, fine lines, volume loss, and sagging skin can cause you to feel self-conscious about your appearance and make you desire a younger, more contoured facial aesthetic.
The good news is there are many cosmetic procedures that may help you achieve your goals: a traditional facelift and the non-surgical liquid facelift.
While these options may seem like they would offer the same results (they are both “facelifts” after all), the truth is that they are very different procedures.
Because of the confusion that can arise between facelift surgery and a liquid facelift treatment, this blog will explore each of these procedures to help you understand which of these procedures might be best for you.
What Can a Facelift Achieve?
Facelift surgery remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. With facelift surgery, wrinkles, fine lines, and skin laxity/sagging skin in the lower face (from the cheeks to the neck) are addressed. This is achieved by manipulating the underlying facial tissue, removing excess skin on the face, and pulling the remaining skin taut.
Not only can a facelift smooth the facial skin (which can make you look years younger), but issues in the neck and along the jawline (sagging skin and the presence of jowls) can be corrected to give you a more defined and sculpted appearance.
What Can a Liquid Facelift With Injectables Achieve?
A liquid facelift is a non-surgical treatment that combines various injectables, including dermal fillers and neuromodulators (BOTOX® Cosmetic), to address skin creases and volume loss in the face. A liquid facelift can restore volume in various areas of the face, including the cheeks, under the eyes, and in the temples.
After a liquid facelift, you can look forward to a more rejuvenated look, which can help you feel more confident.
While this treatment does a lot to restore a more youthful appearance, it does not correct sagging skin.
Which Procedure Is Best for Me?
We all have different cosmetic concerns that we want to address. For some of us, it is volume loss; for others, it is significant laxity creating deep creases and jowls.
The cause of your concern is the most significant factor when determining which technique is best for you and your needs.
Although it may be easy to assume that a liquid facelift is a sort of “intro facelift,” that is not necessarily correct.
While it is true that many patients start with a liquid facelift, and this technique can postpone the need for a surgical procedure for years, it is not as simple as “start with a liquid facelift and then graduate to a facelift.”
These procedures address different concerns, and fillers can be just as beneficial before facelift surgery as they can be afterward.
So, here’s the bottom line of what you need to know:
- Facelift surgery addresses loose skin and sagging tissues; dermal fillers used in a liquid facelift do not.
- Dermal fillers restore lost volume; facelift surgery does not.
Both laxity and volume loss contribute to noticeable facial aging. As of now, no “one procedure” does it all.
Therefore, many patients benefit most from combining both techniques: facelift surgery to address laxity and fillers to restore fullness.
Of course, some patients develop wrinkles and thinness around the cheeks and mouth but maintain good skin elasticity. In these cases, a surgical facelift may not be needed or beneficial. Alternatively, other patients experience laxity but maintain their facial fullness. In that case, only a facelift may be required.
During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic concerns with your plastic surgeon, who will evaluate your condition and help you decide which procedure can best help you achieve your goals. If you find yourself frustrated with the appearance of your face, then don’t wait any longer to enhance your natural beauty and regain your youthful aesthetic!
Want to Learn More About Your Facial Rejuvenation Options?
Coastal Plastic Surgeons in San Diego are professionally trained in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. They look forward to helping you achieve your cosmetic goals.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Coastal Plastic Surgeons by calling (858) 365-3558 or filling out our online contact form.