It goes without saying that nothing can elicit the incredible results of a surgical facelift. Facelifts can achieve remarkable results in a short period of time, improving issues such as skin sagging, deep folds, jowls, and submental fat (double chins). However, only patients with moderate to severe skin laxity are considered candidates for the procedure. Beyond that, they may be slightly outside a patient’s budget.
Thankfully, there are alternative options for those who want to wait on surgery. These alternative procedures are minimally invasive and can tighten the skin in a powerful way.
Fillers
Dermal fillers offer patients a great way to bring a visible and quick lift to the face. Over time, we experience fat, collagen, and bone loss, which are all vital support structures of the face. Fillers can restore lost volume to the skin, giving the face a ‘fuller’ look. They are most often injected into the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and jawline.
While the cost of a filler treatment may be lower than the cost of a facelift, one must consider the long-term costs of maintaining the results. That said, the results are known to last for up to a year, making them a worthwhile treatment for patients who are looking for temporary results before committing to a surgical procedure.
Dermal fillers are a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes thin needles. Furthermore, there is little discomfort or downtime. Most patients with even low amounts of volume loss will be considered candidates. While dermal fillers don’t provide the same level of ‘lift’ as a facelift procedure, they are considered to be well-suited for patients looking for more subtle results.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines the power of microneedling and radiofrequency to reverse signs of aging. Tiny needles penetrate the skin and emit radiofrequency energy, heating up the skin and triggering collagen production. This treatment is ideal for patients who are struggling with skin laxity in the neck or jawline.
Morpheus8 is a relatively cost-effective procedure and is mostly painless. A numbing cream will be applied to the patient’s face to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the procedure. Downtime is minimal, as there are only a few days of redness and swelling.
That said, it should be noted that radiofrequency treatments like Morpheus8 focus more on fighting skin laxity than actually ‘lifting’ the face. As such, patients may want to look into combining their Morpheus8 treatment with another procedure to achieve their desired result.
Liquid Facelift
The liquid facelift comes with no incisions and virtually no downtime, and the results are perceivable almost immediately following the procedure. It is an effective treatment for sculpting the jowls, mid-face, nasolabial folds, and temples, giving the face a better definition overall.
While no two liquid facelift procedures are ever the same, they often involve dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Botox. When used together, the products can achieve major improvements in the face, achieving somewhat similar results to a surgical facelift.
Pelleve
Like Morpheus8, Pellevé also utilizes radiofrequency energy to trigger an injury response, stimulating new collagen growth and giving the skin a revitalized look. As a result, issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss are greatly reduced. Pellevé is often used to treat issues such as nasolabial folds, wrinkles around the mouth region, lines on the forehead, and loose skin around the eye region.
Some other benefits of the procedure include a reduction in skin laxity, overall facial rejuvenation, and virtually no downtime. The procedure involves a comfortable, continuous flow of heat which produces clinically-proven results. It is a quick, non-invasive procedure that helps patients get the results they want fast.
What is the takeaway?
Ultimately, there is nothing like a surgical facelift. That said, patients who want to address signs of aging in the face without undergoing surgery can benefit from the aforementioned procedures. Non-surgical procedures have come a long way in the last few decades and have helped millions of patients achieve their cosmetic goals. Those looking to undergo a cosmetic procedure should always refer to an experienced practitioner before going forward.