Facelift Without Surgery
A facelift without surgery is a non-surgical facelift, often referred to as a liquid facelift. It combines non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment and minimally invasive surgery. Non-surgical facelift aims to address the following issues:
- Wrinkles and deep creases
- Loss of facial volume
- Skin tone and texture
Candidates for non-surgical facelift
Individuals who qualify for a facelift include:
- Those with mild to moderate aging signs.
- Those with shadows around the eyes.
- Those with sunken cheeks.
- Those with wrinkles (frown lines, marionette lines, crow’s feet).
Benefits of non-surgical facelift
For qualified patients, some of the benefits of a non-surgical facelift include the following:
- Minimal downtime- with the nature of this procedure, recovery time will be shorter
- The price of this procedure is relatively lower compared to a surgical facelift.
- There are fewer potential risks
- This procedure does not need anesthesia, a topical numbing cream might be used.
- It looks more natural
- Results are not permanent; some procedures, for instance, hyaluronic acid procedures, can be reversed.
- The patient can ‘test out’ a look before making it a permanent look.
Liquid facelift procedure
A liquid facelift utilizes injectable fillers for rejuvenation. After a consultation, your Houston Tx facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist numbs specific areas and injects chosen fillers with fine needles or cannulas to target wrinkles or add volume. The specialist refines placement for natural-looking results, and the procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes.
Techniques for Facelift Without Surgery
Plastic surgeons may use the following techniques to achieve some of the benefits of a facelift without the cost and downtime associated with surgery.
- Injectables – these are the stars of the liquid facelift. Fillers, like hyaluronic acid, plump up wrinkles, and hollows, restoring lost volume and smoothing out lines. Botox and Dysport relax muscles that cause wrinkles, particularly frown lines and crow’s feet.
- Energy Devices – lasers and ultrasound devices deliver targeted energy to stimulate collagen production, the protein responsible for skin firmness. Ultherapy uses ultrasound to tighten deeper skin layers, while laser skin resurfacing removes the outer layer, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin.
- Skin Tightening Procedures – these techniques aim to tighten lax skin. Radiofrequency treatments use energy waves to heat the skin, encouraging collagen growth. Microneedling creates tiny controlled injuries that trigger the body’s healing response, leading to firmer skin. Thread lifts involve inserting dissolvable threads under the skin with tiny barbs that lift and tighten the tissue.
Skin Resurfacing Techniques – chemical peels and microdermabrasion remove the top layers of skin, revealing a fresher, smoother appearance. Chemical peels come in various strengths, targeting fine lines to deeper wrinkles. Microdermabrasion gently buffs away the outer layer with delicate crystals.
Non-surgical Facelift vs Surgical Facial Rejuvenation
Deciding between a liquid facelift and surgical facial rejuvenation hinges on your desired outcome and tolerance for invasiveness. Liquid facelifts, achieved through injectable fillers, are ideal for subtle rejuvenation. They excel at smoothing wrinkles, plumping lips, and restoring lost volume, offering a natural, refreshed look with minimal downtime. However, their effects are temporary, typically lasting 6-18 months.
Surgical facelifts offer a dramatic and long-lasting correction for sagging skin and deep wrinkles. They involve lifting and tightening underlying tissues, providing a more sculpted appearance. However, surgery has a longer recovery period, potential for scarring, and greater expense. Ultimately, the choice depends on the severity of your concerns and your comfort level with a more intensive procedure.
Does Dr. Wu Offer Facelift Without Surgery
While Dr. Wu is always happy to answer any questions and guide you toward the right procedure choice, it is important to state that she only focuses on lasting techniques such as deep plane facelift and full facelift surgery. As one of the top facelift plastic surgeons in the city of Houston and surrounding Texas areas, Dr. Wu is a firm believer in a job well done. She doesn’t like to subject her patients to multiple treatments every few months just to maintain the result of their facial rejuvenation.