5 Reasons to Get a Facelift Instead of Fillers

One of the most significant developments in the aesthetics field I’ve seen during my career is the increased effectiveness of nonsurgical facial treatments such as dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. These procedures provide patients concerned about facial aging with excellent alternatives to facelift surgery at our Scottsdale practice, but there does come a time when surgical intervention is necessary.

On websites such as RealSelf, it’s common to see questions from women and men who aren’t sure if they need a facelift to create the results they desire or if nonsurgical treatments are appropriate to address their concerns. In most cases, a board-certified plastic surgeon can recommend the best treatment option after a consultation that includes physically examining the skin’s texture and tone.

In this blog post, I’ll explain the benefits of nonsurgical treatments and outline the 5 concerns patients have that require facelift surgery to correct.

Benefits of Nonsurgical Treatments

Minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments such as KYBELLA®, Ultherapy®, or a Thread Lift can create a more youthful appearance, but they work on a superficial level. Injectable treatments can minimize wrinkling, but they provide only temporary results that are subtle. These treatments are highly effective for women and men who are seeing early signs of aging, but are not solutions that can match the results of a facelift.

When It’s Time for a Facelift

When I consult with patients who want to know if they can address their concerns without extensive surgery, I listen to what their cosmetic goals are and then conduct a physical evaluation. There are 5 specific concerns that a facelift addresses better than injectables or other nonsurgical treatments.

These include:

1. Loose and sagging skin on the lower two-thirds of the face: Some people have the misconception that a facelift changes the appearance of the entire face. That’s not accurate. The procedure focuses on the lower portion of the face. It effectively tightens and lifts the skin and underlying muscle in that area.
2. Jowls: Some women and men may have smooth and relatively elastic facial skin, but jowls create the appearance that they’re older than they feel. Jowls develop when the skin below your chin or jawline begins sagging. Genetics can be responsible in some cases for jowls to develop early, but the loss of elastin and collagen are the primary culprits.
3. Lines around the nose: Fillers are often the go-to treatment for lines such as nasolabial folds, which extend from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth. As effective as these fillers can be, facelift surgery creates long-lasting results that can’t be matched by injectable procedures.
4. Sagging cheeks: Fillers such as JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA can correct the loss of volume in the cheeks, but sagging skin is a different story. Lifting the skin and underlying tissue requires surgery.
5. Undefined jawline: Both women and men believe a defined jawline looks attractive and youthful. Certain nonsurgical treatments, such as Ultherapy, can tighten the skin along the jaw if there is minimal sagging. But a facelift is the ideal procedure to create a well-defined jawline that looks natural.

Looking at before-and-after photos is a great way to see the types of results I’m discussing. In many cases, I combine facelift surgery with injectables to produce the best possible outcome.

If you are considering a facial rejuvenation treatment and want to know if surgery is the best option, contact us using the online form or call us at (480) 214-9955 to schedule an appointment.