Oct
Cosmetic surgery has been around for decades. While some are necessary due to serious injury, most patients have cosmetic surgery for aesthetic reasons. As little as two decades ago, the world saw surgical procedures like facelifts as taboo. Today, cosmetic surgery is widely used and even accepted. If you look at the latest figures, over 17 million cosmetic and minimally-invasive procedures happened in 2017.
Still, most people would avoid surgery if they can while still enjoying some of the benefits cosmetic procedures like a facelift provides. With injectables, doctors started using a liquid facelift to bring these dreams to reality.
A facelift’s goal is to restore some of your youthful glow by carefully pulling sagging skin and tissue to re-contour the face. A liquid facelift is an excellent non-surgical option for people seeking a more youthful appearance with quick results, no downtime, and no going under the knife. It uses a combination of dermal fillers, e.g., Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Belotero, to lift, sculpt, and rejuvenate the face. Besides, wrinkle relaxers like Botox or Jeuveau are used around the eyes, forehead, and between the eyebrows.
As we age, there is volume loss in our face’s key areas, like our cheeks, temples, lips, and under eyes. As a result, we get loose, sagging skin and a tired or sad appearance. Dermal fillers replace this lost volume, re-contour facial features, and “lift” the face back into place.
Good question. Dermal fillers are liquid compounds that are safe and effective in adding volume to the face when injected. The fillers give cheeks, chins, and around the eyes, a plump look, reducing wrinkles and restoring an amazing glow. They’re also used as lip fillers, responsible for those luscious lips many of your favorite celebrities enjoy.
There are various dermal fillers, each with their own purpose, and designed for use on specific parts of the face. Most are made of natural substances found in the body, like hyaluronic acid. You must see a board-certified dermatologist to determine which filler is best for your needs. As these dermal fillers are not interchangeable, using incorrect fillers or wrong injection techniques can give less desirable results.
Here’s a breakdown of the dermal fillers most commonly used in the United States:
Juvederm fillers are made of hyaluronic acid- a natural substance that binds with collagen and elastin in the skin. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin plump, firm, and youthful. As a dermal filler, it fills and smoothes moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. There are different versions of Juvederm, which add volume to lift and contour different parts of the face, such as the cheeks, lips, and sunken areas below the eyes.
Like Juvederm, the Restylane family consists of hyaluronic acid and is most often used for moderate lines and wrinkles on the face and volume loss in the cheeks and lips.
Radiesse contains calcium microspheres suspended in a gel formulation. These give immediate volume replacement. Furthermore, it stimulates tissue regeneration and results in a continued improvement over time.
Belotero is an injectable dermal filler with hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient. Because it is a soft cohesive gel, it immediately fills and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. This versatile product is best for etched-in smile lines around the nose and mouth and in delicate areas like below the eyes.
Sculptra is a long-acting filler that can last for 2 years or more. It is ideal for severe fat or volume loss. This can appear as sunken cheeks and temples and hollow eyes. The active component of Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid. While Sculptra does give immediate results, it also stimulates collagen production, so results continue to improve over a few months.
Liquid facelifts are a non-surgical option for those looking to rejuvenate their appearance without the fear of a botched surgery, infections, or long-term side effects. Surgery also has a long recovery time. You can have a liquid facelift with no downtime.
Simultaneously, people with severe sagging skin may not fully benefit from a liquid facelift and may need surgery.
Liquid facelifts work well for those in their 30s or 40s with healthy skin but clear signs of aging. A surgical facelift can smooth out the skin but will not replace volume as a liquid facelift can.
There’s also a cost factor involved, as a liquid facelift can cost significantly less than a standard facelift.
Liquid facelifts happen in two stages. First, you’ll have a consultation with your dermatologist. At Eternal Dermatology, we perform a thorough consultation with our patients, making sure we address any concerns while closely examining your face. We will also find out your medical history and potential allergies to ensure the procedure is as safe as possible.
The examination also helps us develop a game plan. You’ll know exactly what areas we will treat and the combination of injectables that we will use. In addition, this will help you gauge the price of the liquid facelift.
The second stage is the procedure itself. On the day of your facelift, your dermatologist marks the areas for treatment, like the cheeks and under your eyes. From there, your provider cleans your face and applies a topical numbing cream. Once the cream takes effect, your dermatologist will inject the appropriate amount of dermal fillers (or Botox) using a thin needle.
Your dermatologist may gently massage the fillers into the area for an even appearance. In some cases, you can complete your liquid facelift over multiple sessions. After your session, you should not exercise or perform strenuous activities for 48 hours to let the filler and neurotoxin settle in the right place.
Possible side effects of dermal fillers include redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and small bumps on the skin. These are usually temporary, and most disappear within a few days. Rarely, more serious side effects can occur, e.g., vision loss or stroke. Because of this, you should see a board-certified dermatologist with expert injection training. The correct injection technique can reduce the chances of these complications.
So do liquid facelifts work? And are they a viable alternative to surgical facelifts? Liquid facelifts are among the most effective techniques your dermatologist or plastic surgeon can use to add volume, remove wrinkles, and restore that youthful appearance. The procedure has a high satisfaction rate of over 95% and continues to be a popular choice for women and men. Now more than ever, we are even seeing younger people try facelifts as preventative measures.
At the same time, your facelift is only as good as the person applying the fillers and injectables. You must choose a board-certified dermatologist or surgeon who is experienced in injectables. If you’re interested in learning more about dermal fillers and if they’re right for you, please call us (301) 479-6544 or book online today.