Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments can be appealing to patients who want to refresh their appearance without incisions and downtime. While these medical spa-type services can offer noticeable improvements, their results can be limited. Below, we explore the efficacy of facelift alternatives and why a surgical approach usually offers the greatest benefit.
Why Consider a Nonsurgical Option?
Nonsurgical facelift alternatives offer some advantages for patients who don’t want surgery. They are less invasive, less expensive, and require little to no downtime. However, it’s important to weigh these benefits against the potential need for ongoing treatments and their less impactful results. Many patients succeed in delaying the need for more invasive surgical treatments or maximize the results long-term from previously performed procedures using these state-of-the-art technologies.
Popular Facelift Alternatives
If you want to stave off a surgical facelift, you have options. Some of the most popular nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures include:
Injectables
BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers are frequently paired as part of a liquid facelift. BOTOX relaxes the injected muscles to smooth out expression lines and wrinkles, while fillers restore volume to areas like the temples, under the eyes, and lips.
If you are bothered by a double chin, KYBELLA® is a third type of injectable. It targets unwanted fat in the submental area (under the chin) for a slimmer and more defined neck contour.
Sculptra® is a form of injectable collagen induction therapy. In certain individuals with brow, mid-facial, or jawline volume loss, this limited down-time procedure offers a more global volume improvement and stimulates long-term collagen development in the skin.
Skin Tightening Treatments
ClearLift laser treatments specifically target skin laxity and sagging. This procedure offers gradual results over time and produces the best outcomes when supported with regular maintenance treatments.
Laser Treatments
Laser skin resurfacingcan improve skin texture, tone, and firmness by removing the outer layer of skin and stimulating collagen production. Different types of lasers target various skin concerns, such as wrinkles, scarring, and pigmentation. These treatments are often combined with facelift surgery.
Microneedling
A safe injury procedure, microneedling can improve skin quality, especially when paired with radiofrequency energy. Our RF microneedling treatment uses RF energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin. This combination provides effective rejuvenation, including treating mild to moderate skin laxity.
Do Facelift Alternatives Work?
Nonsurgical procedures can give you a more refreshed and youthful appearance. However, it’s important to manage your expectations before pursuing them. Keep in mind that their results are temporary. Their efficacy depends greatly on the provider’s skill and your own candidacy for the procedure, including your degree of facial aging, the condition of your skin, and the results you hope to achieve.
Considerations for Nonsurgical Alternatives
Before booking a nonsurgical treatment, it’s important to consider the following issues.
- Maintenance: Most nonsurgical treatments require regular maintenance sessions to sustain their results. For example, BOTOX and fillers may need to be repeated every few months as your body metabolizes them.
- Subtle Results: Nonsurgical alternatives generally provide more subtle results than surgical facelifts. They are ideal for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging who are not ready for surgery.
- Cost: While nonsurgical treatments can be less expensive upfront, the cumulative cost of maintenance sessions over time can add up and often rival the cost of surgery.
- Minimal Downtime: Compared to traditional facelift recovery, non-surgical treatments have less downtime and fewer restrictions during the healing period.
In many cases, facelift patients choose nonsurgical treatments to complement their surgery. Laser treatments, for example, brighten and even out the skin, putting the finishing touches on a facelift. Consistent skin care and maintenance treatments can prolong the life of your facelift results and prevent the need for revision surgery.
Should You Get a Surgical Facelift?
Nonsurgical facelift alternatives are effective for certain individuals, offering less invasive options with reduced downtime. However, for more significant and long-lasting results, a surgical facelift performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon offers the most effective and long-lasting rejuvenation.
If you would like to explore your options and see what a facelift can do for you, please request a consultation online or call us at (480) 214-9955 to schedule your appointment.
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