There’s been a lot of talk about the liquid facelift. This procedure involves the use of fillers to add volume to areas of the face where fat stores have decreased.
The extra volume helps smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of some lines and wrinkles.
There is also the traditional facelift that is a surgical procedure that helps eliminate sagging skin that leads to problems like jowls and wrinkles. There are benefits and downsides to each procedure.
Different Facelift Surgery Procedures
A liquid facelift is a very quick procedure. After your consultation, your facial plastic surgeon comes up with the fillers needed to correct your complaints. On the day of your procedure, your face is given a thorough wash with an antibacterial soap. The dermal fillers are then injected into the areas that need addressing.
During a facelift, incisions are made from the hairline on the temple, around the front or inside of the ear, behind the ear, and into the hairline behind the ear. Next, the skin is lifted off the underlying tissue, excess fat is removed, and the skin is replaced onto the new framework. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the incisions are carefully closed.
Differences in Longevity
With a surgical procedure, most patients find the improvements from their facelift last approximately 10 years. This does depend on your skin type and the amount of facial volume you lose during the aging process. The bottom line is that you should get close to a decade out of the one surgical procedure.
A liquid facelift uses dermal fillers to add volume and smooth the skin. Fillers have varying lifespans. For example, Juvederm and Restylane both are hyaluronic acid fillers and generally last no more than a year. Radiesse, a calcium hydroxylapatite filler, can last a year or more. To maintain the volume these fillers add, patients need to go in for touch ups at least once every 12 months, if not sooner.
Differences in Recovery Times
Liquid facelifts require virtually no recovery. The injections of the fillers only take a matter of minutes. After your appointment, you can get back to your usual routine.
A facelift requires far more in the way of a recovery. After the surgery, your face is wrapped in bandages. You may experience some discomfort, but it is easily managed with pain medication. The next day, you return to your surgeon’s office to have the bandages removed.
The stitches come out after seven days. You will notice swelling and bruising for approximately two weeks. At the two-week mark, you should be ready to return to work, providing your work does not involve any strenuous activities. Light activities are okay after three weeks. Most swelling eases after a month, but some may remain for up to six months.
Differences in What They Correct
A facelift corrects loose neck skin, sagging cheek skin, and loose skin along the jawline. A liquid facelift alleviates the appearance of some wrinkles, adds volume to hollow areas, and restores volume to the cheeks. If you have jowls, a liquid facelift may not be suitable. If you don’t have jowls or loose neck skin and simply want to eliminate visible nasolabial folds, a facelift may not be your best option.
Dr. Jessica Kulak is known as the “aging face specialist” at her facelift Virginia practice, The Naderi Center. Find out why by reading Dr. Kulak’s bio. With offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and Reston, VA, you can call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Kulak in an area convenient to you. The numbers for The Naderi Center are (703) 481-0002 (Virginia) or (301) 222-2020 (Maryland).
