May 14, 2021
Aging is such a complex condition of being human. When we’re young we feel like we can’t age fast enough because we think it will provide us with independence and the personal freedoms that we yearn for—an escape or transition out of the proverbial nest. And then we’re there. We’ve aged. We have no idea how we got there, but all of a sudden we’re looking at the same face in the mirror that we’ve been looking at for 40, 50, 60, 70 years, and the feeling we get is, well, uncanny. It’s our face, but it’s not.
As much as age does give us that sought after independence and personal freedom, plus bonuses like self-confidence and a self-awareness we were probably lacking when we were younger, it also reflects everything we’ve been through whether good or bad physically on our bodies, and especially on our faces. And next thing you know, you’re staring at a face that doesn’t necessarily feel quite like your own, because you’re still you, and you still feel like that timeless version of yourself.
This is the moment that some of us might start to think about ways in which we can make our faces look a little more in line with who we are and how we feel. It’s not about turning back time, it’s about enhancement. It’s about keeping those beautiful aspects of our faces at the forefront, and not letting them get lost in changes in our skin, because of a loss of volume, moisture or skin elasticity.
A facelift is one of the best ways to address the many changes that happen to our faces as we age, but not everyone needs or is ready for surgery, and not everyone requires the same approach when it comes to rejuvenating their look. The true beauty of the cosmetic industry today is that there are a number of ways that we can give your face a lift both surgically and non-surgically, offering you a tailored approach in order to give you the best result possible.
We’ve put together a list of some of the remarkable facelift options out there at the moment.
If you’re looking for a true transformation and long lasting result, nothing really replaces the surgical facelift. This a fantastic surgery for patients in their 40s and 50s, but we’ve also performed this surgery on patients in their 60s and 70s. There’s really no age limit, and it’s all about what you’re looking to achieve. Great candidates for a traditional facelift typically have skin with some elasticity and bone structure that is well defined.
It’s a procedure that addresses some of the most significant signs of aging, such as underlying facial muscle weakening, skin laxity, deep creases and excess fat. The traditional facelift will yield the most dramatic facial rejuvenating result for the longest period of time, but it is surgery, which requires longer downtime for a more extensive recovery process.
What’s great about the surgical facelift is that it can address concerns in multiple different areas at the same time, including the upper face, the deep creases between the nose and mouth, lax skin of the jawline and neck, and more.
For the right patient, there’s also the option of adding a fat transfer to your facelift procedure, which is what makes this surgery so advanced and great these days. Patients are often surprised by the fact that we would add fat to the face in order to rejuvenate it, as a facelift often includes the removal of excess fat.
But for some patients, a loss of volume and moisture is what causes the skin to sag and to look deflated, adding deep creases and folds. In order to address this, we can harvest fat from other areas of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen, and then re-inject it strategically filling areas such as the cheeks, the lips, as well as areas around the mouth.
The beauty of the facelift with fat transfer is that it offers you a two-in-one procedure, where you remove unwanted fat from certain areas of the body, contouring and sculpting those areas, while simultaneously rejuvenating your facial features.
Some patients only require a small amount of skin tightening and facial rejuvenation. This is where the mini-facelift can be a great option. It still yields amazing long-lasting results, but with less scarring, bruising, and an overall shorter recovery period than a full facelift. It primarily addresses skin laxity around the cheeks, jawline, and the neck. It does not address the area around the forehead and eyes. So if the lower face is your primary area of concern, this could be a great option for you.
Some patients might not need or feel ready for the surgical facelift option. The non-surgical facelift also known as the liquid facelift, may not yield the dramatic and long lasting results that surgery will, but it can still offer a refresh, creating more balance and proportion in areas of the face that have begun to sag and deflate due to volume and overall collagen loss.
The non-surgical facelift combines a number of prescribed injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers in order to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to compensate for volume loss in the face. With a non-surgical facelift you’re looking at overall skin rejuvenation and glow. Although not as permanent as surgery, neuromodualtors like Botox last for about 3-4 months and dermal fillers around 6-12 months.
The non-surgical facelift results in healthier and more youthful looking skin, and it can also give you an idea of what surgery can do for you in a more long lasting way and dramatic way. For some, it’s the ideal first step.
Whereas the non-surgical facelift targets primarily fine lines and wrinkles as well as lost volume, if you’re looking for an actual non-surgical visible lift, we recommend treatments like the thread lift and FaceTite.
The thread lift involves the insertion of threads just underneath the surface of the skin and then the manipulation of these threads in order to give the targeted area a subtle but natural visible lift. These threads last approximately 6-9 months, but the collagen production stimulated by the treatment will keep your results looking fresh for a little over a year.
FaceTite, on the other hand, really effectively targets skin laxity with subdermal radiofrequency technology, by shrinking tissue and melting fat with amazing results that can last anywhere from 1-5 years.
And let’s not forget about the neck. We consider the neck to be very much a part of the face and if this is your particular area of concern, both the thread lift and FaceTite are amazing treatments if you’re trying to combat skin laxity on the neck.
Whichever option is right for you is totally dependent on your body, your needs and your goals. We love creating a perfectly tailored treatment plan for each new patient we meet. And the bottom line every time? We want to create a facelift result that looks totally natural, so that you look like you—on exactly your terms.
Did we answer all your questions? Our goal is to ensure you have the best information possible to make your decision. If you still have questions, we’re here to help.
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