According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), recently, there were about 15.6 million cosmetic procedures. 2.3 million are cosmetic surgical procedures while 13.2 million were minimally invasive. Among the top five minimally-invasive nonsurgical procedures are Botulinum toxin, soft tissue filler, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and Intense Pulsed Light treatment respectively.
Nonsurgical facelifts have become popular with both immediate results and long-term benefits that mimic procedures that require an incision into the skin and muscle tissue, referred to as surgical face lifting.
Well, if you’re considering getting a nonsurgical facelift, then keep reading to find out more about it, the types, benefits, and how to maintain it.
So, what’s a nonsurgical facelift?
A nonsurgical facelift is a non-invasive manner of tightening and firming the skin of your face, which results in the reversal of signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin. It’s an easy way to get the same results from a facelift without actually having to go under the knife.
Nonsurgical facelifts help add volume, hence significant in breast augmentation, cheek augmentation, tattoo removal, and tummy tuck for a mommy makeover, among others. And with a few simple steps, you can transform your face so that it looks years younger.
While most procedures only take a few minutes to an hour and recovery time a few hours to days, it’s worth a try!
Therefore, read on to learn what they are, the processes involved in them, the downtime, and their lasting time.
But first, the options?
What Combination of processes makes up a Nonsurgical Facelift?
Nonsurgical facelifts combine several different procedures to achieve the desired outcome. If surgery isn’t in the cards for you, some nonsurgical options are available that can help rejuvenate your appearance and soften your facial features. These include laser treatments, injectables, micro needling, dermal fillers, Botox, and more.
However, botox and dermal fillers are the most popular elements in a non-surgical facelift. Though often interchanged for the other, they are dissimilar.
Well, if you’re considering either of them, seek expert advice from a board-certified dermatologist to give you the best advice. If you are getting a complete facelift, the two combined are significant.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a popular option because the injections only take a few minutes, and you can see a difference in your appearance until 24 hours later. Dermal fillers have an aesthetic effect, making your skin look smoother and plumper.
A few of the most popular dermal fillers are Restylane, Juvéderm, and Perlane, and they’re famous for a few different reasons. Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid filler and, when injected, helps to add volume to your face and helps fill in deeper wrinkles and furrows in the skin. Perlane and Juvéderm are both made of hyaluronic acid too.
Besides, they are usually used alongside other treatments, such as skin care products, lasers, and topical treatments.
But what are fillers made of?
Fillers are made up of natural substances, such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, bovine collagen, water, oil, or other compounds.
Well, where are they injected? Fillers are injected into the space created by removing excess fat, such as the deep lines that develop between the nose and mouth. They are also applied on the cheeks, lips, under the eyes, etc., to restore facial volume.
Plus, they are essential for scar treatment and eliminating other dark shadows for an even skin tone. In addition, the nasolabial folds are removed by fillers for a good youthful look. They work by stimulating collagen production. Collagen is used for skin tightening and skin rejuvenation, yet it depletes as you age. And that’s why most common fillers have either hyaluronic acid or collagen as a component.
Not to forget, most plastic surgeons recommend it for people with skin that has thinned out with age. And they last from six months to 12, depending on the skin type and the type of fillers used.
Moreover, dermal fillers do not have significant complications apart from swelling and bruising.
Botox
Another procedure is Botox injections or botulinum toxin to relax the muscles that form wrinkles on the face. Botox has made the world of nonsurgical facelifts a reality for those who want to look younger but aren’t ready for surgery.
Botox can help give you a youthful look by reducing the folds and wrinkles on your face. While dermal fillers are best for smoothening lines and wrinkles, Botox deals with vibrant facial lines.
It works by paralyzing the facial muscles responsible for those deep lines and wrinkles. It’s, therefore, the best procedure in tackling marionette lines or nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, frown lines, wrinkles around the eyes, and nasal lines.
A plastic surgeon uses tiny injections of fillers such as Restylane or Juvéderm to fill and thicken the lips and create tighter and smoother skin.
Fat Injections
A third procedure, and one of my preferred methods, is fat injections. The fat is extracted from the stomach or behind through liposuction. It is then cleansed, dissolved, and injected into the face using a micro-cannula to boost facial volume.
The fat injections will work by the living introduced cells mixing with the present tissues resulting in the re-contoured shape of the face, and one’s youth and appearance are preserved.
Chances are, you’ve seen a celebrity with fat injection and wondered how they got so beautiful overnight. The answer lies in the high-fat injection. Celebrities like Celine Dion and Fergie (Target) know that adding a little bit of fat to their faces results in a sculpted east look.
Needless Treatments
There’s a lot of information about nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments, and it can be hard to wade through what’s true and what’s not. The first thing to do is find a practitioner who’s qualified to give you a consultation, as this is what counts.
Needless nonsurgical treatments make the skin look fresh and make the skin look smooth and youthful.
Chemical Peels
One of the most popular needless nonsurgical procedures is a chemical peel. This is a more subtle treatment and removes layers of dead skin from the skin’s surface to create a younger, fresher appearance. Also, it clears big pores, smoothing the skin. It’s an excellent option for people who want a more straightforward process without the risks.
This treatment is more affordable and lasts a few days to a couple of weeks, while many chemical peels can last up to a year.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are a form of treatment that sloughs off the top layer of your skin, removing your big pores and smoothing the way for a youthful appearance. Your skin exfoliates with this method; hence the skin feels softer and more elastic, and any creases or wrinkles will be gone.
Also, any hyperpigmentation is eliminated as you gain new fresh skin. It would help if you used a gentle cleanser and sunscreen after your treatment to help your skin look and feel its best.
It can take just a few hours and requires no downtime. It’s an excellent option for someone who wants a cheaper alternative to a surgical facelift or who wants to avoid surgery for one reason or another.
Laser treatments
Laser skin resurfacing can help you restore and maintain your youthful and healthy appearance and will help to reduce the visible signs of aging. Laser skin resurfacing treatment, usually performed with a fractional laser, can remove damaged and aging skin for a smoother and more radiant appearance.
These treatments can be tailored to suit your individual needs, and most importantly, they will provide you with peace of mind regarding aging and sun-damaged skin.
The procedure usually takes about 90 minutes, and the laser breaks down the elastin so it will slough off naturally. And the good news is that the modern laser skin resurfacing technique, such as Ultherapy and ThermiTight, is swift, reaches the deeper layers, and has the best outcomes with less scarring.
Benefits of a Nonsurgical Facelift
A nonsurgical facelift is one method of improving the look and feel of your face. At first glance, it’s common to assume that to experience a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your skin and features, you need to undergo a surgical procedure. However, there are numerous benefits of a nonsurgical facelift.
- Most have instant visible results, with only a few procedures taking time to be noticed.
- Less downtime. Since the treatments do not involve cuts or incisions, recovery is swift, and you may get back to your routine immediately after the procedure.
- With only a few hundred pennies, you can get your desired look. And in case you need more dramatic results, then you’ll have to spend more though not as expensive as a surgical facelift.
- You get your desired look. The nonsurgical procedures stimulate collagen production, which results in a youthful appearance. Also, it’s possible to undergo facelift surgery and dislike the outcome, unlike a nonsurgical lift that provides expected results.
- Nonsurgical treatments can be combined with other procedures for the perfect outcome. In fact, you can begin with one method, get the results, and decide to further the treatments.
- Results aren’t permanent like the surgical treatments but can last you long enough to get further treatments when the effect ends.
How long do results of a nonsurgical facelift last?
Nonsurgical facelift results will depend on your lifestyle, genes, the type of procedure, and how you care for your skin.
For most people, their nonsurgical facelift results can last up to two years, which is the amount of time that your body will anticipate replacing the collagen your body naturally produces. However, this period can change depending on how well your collagen naturally repairs itself.
Research shows that during the time following a nonsurgical facelift, your body starts to produce more collagen to replace what you’ve used. The body producing more collagen is completed in about six months. Once six months pass, your body anticipates six months before it takes another six months to produce collagen.
However, some facelifts last longer. For instance, dermal fillers’ impact can last about two years. So, to upkeep the youthful outcome, it’s necessary to have follow-up treatments. Remember, follow-up is expected because your skin will age.
How do you maintain a Nonsurgical Facelift?
A nonsurgical facelift can be quite a rewarding procedure, but it’s not easy to maintain the results. Just like anything worthwhile, it takes a lot of time and effort to upkeep your new look and ensure that gravity stays at bay for as long as possible. Here’s what you need to know to get the best results from your nonsurgical facelift.
For the best outcome, noninvasive treatments deserve revisiting every month. Remember, the more attention you put in maintaining them, the longer they’ll last and fewer procedures you’ll need.
For instance, there’s more collagen production after dermal filling with hyaluronic acid filler. This means wrinkles lessen and the skin starts looking younger; hence future maintenance may require fewer syringes of fillers.
In addition, after a Botox procedure, usually, the body is relaxed, and results have started showing; thus, future maintenance will need a little product for the same look.
Above all, the different nonsurgical treatments necessitate you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for the best advice. They’ll as well attend to you professionally according to your needs. However, when these minimally invasive methods aren’t working, you may have to go under the knife to get your desired outcome.
Conclusion
Like most other things in life, time will take a toll on your skin. The wrinkles around your eyes and face begin to form, and you might see a sagginess that wasn’t there before. With a non-surgical facelift, you can keep the skin around the eyes and face looking young.
While it is essential to discuss your options with your doctor, nonsurgical facelifts are generally considered safe and effective for improving the appearance of your skin. These methods do not require surgery, stitches, or anesthesia and can only be performed under a doctor’s supervision.
Know More about Non-Surgical Facelift：
Pros and Cons of Surgical vs Nonsurgical Facelifts