Liquid Facelift in Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland

The liquid facelift is a non-surgical, anti-aging procedure that is a combination of botox and multiple syringes of dermal filler injections. It works as a non-surgical version of the traditional facelift. Botox® and Dysport® injections work to remove fine and deep wrinkles by relaxing the muscles that cause the formation of the facial lines.  Dermal fillers are used to fill in and smoothen creases and lines, restore lost volume in parts of the face, and, in certain cases, enhance and augment specific facial features.  Every liquid facelift is unique and customized to the individual’s signs of aging and facial structure and anatomy. 

The aging process begins in one’s 20s and continues to accelerate as we age.  It is estimated that after the age of 20 you lose one percent of the collagen in your face per year of life. The loss of collagen contributes to the formation of the signs of aging that most people seek to address with their plastic surgeon.

Signs of Aging Include:

• Wrinkles and Fine Lines
  • Appear around 30 years of age
  • Small, shallow wrinkles around the mouth and eyes
  • Dynamic wrinkles appear on the forehead and are noticeable when we change our facial expressions
  • Become more permanent with aging
• Loss of Volume
  • Noticeable around 40 years of age
  • Sagging skin and flattening of cheeks
  • Face begins to appear tired, fatigued and sad
  • Nasolabial folds (folds between the mouth and nose) deepen and line formation around neck becomes evident
• Loss of Elasticity and Deep Wrinkles
  • Appear around 50 years or age
  • Loss of firmness of skin
  • Skin becomes drier and less radiant

Causes of Aging:

Internal Factors of Aging

• Hormonal changes and menopause
• Natural collagen breakdown
• Genetics

External factors of Aging

• Sun exposure
• Pollution
• Smoking
• Nutrition
• Skincare

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Ideal Candidates for Liquid Facelift

The ideal candidate for a liquid facelift will be someone who can achieve correction of the signs of aging through use of botox and dermal fillers.  There comes a point where certain signs of aging can only be corrected through surgical intervention.  It is key to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist in order to ensure that your goals cans be achieved non-surgically. 

Good candidates for liquid facelift:

• Have fine or deeper facial lines
• Are starting to form mild jowls
• Have “smoker’s lines” around the mouth
• Have sunken and flattened cheeks
• Are starting to develop some lines around the neck
• Have hollowed out temples (sides of forehead)
• Desire to improve hollowness underneath the eyes
• Hold realistic expectations of what is achievable through non-surgical treatments as well as what would require surgical correction

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Liquid Facelift Techniques

Liquid facelift techniques vary depending on the region or regions of the face that are contributing to an “aging” appearance of each individual.

Forehead

Lines or wrinkles running horizontal on the forehead can most often times be corrected with just the injection of Botox®️ / Dysport® to relax the muscles that help to create these lines.  Over time, there’s less support for the forehead’s soft tissues and decreased skin tension, contributing to wrinkle formation.  Additionally, repeated deformation of the forehead from facial expressions contributed to wrinkles and lines.  If the lines are deep and permanent, injection of dermal filler into the lines can help soften their appearance.

Frown Lines (Glabellar complex)

The “11s” (elevens) are in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows. The muscles of the glabellar complex include the corrugator supercilii, procerus, depressor supercilii, and part of the orbital orbicularis oculi.  The glabellar complex muscles create the “angry” forehead look.  If these lines are temporarily observed during expression, the correction can be done with just Botox® / Dysport®️. However, after years of “frowning” these lines begin to appear even on a relaxed face and need filling in with dermal fillers.

Bunny Lines

Bunny lines are straight, diagonal lines on each side of the nose running downwards from the inner corners of the eye towards the nose. They are caused by the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles and when the upper fibers of nasalis muscle flex on the sides of the nose. Bunny lines are usually seen when smiling. Botox can help maintain a youthful look by relaxing the muscles that create the bunny lines.

Temples

A “sunken” look with circular hollowness or depression in the temples on the sides of the eye on the edge of the face. The temples are formed by the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid skull bones joining or fusing together. Temples are found on the lateral sides of the face near the eyes and between the forehead and ears. The temporal muscle covers the temples area and is used when chewing. Hollowed temples may form in the aging process when the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag down the face.  Filling in the temples with dermal filler can reverse temporal hollowness.

Cheeks

Cheeks can begin to deflate and create a “sunken” look with hollowness or depression in the midface. The lower end of the orbicularis oculi, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, risorius, levator anguli oris, zygomatics major and minor, buccinator, and masseter muscles are located in the cheek region. Much like the temples, the skin losing its elasticity during the aging process and begins to sag, however subcutaneous fat in the cheeks is also lost to aggrevate this aging process further. In order to restore check volume fillers such as the FDA approved Juvederm Voluma™ or Juvederm®️ Ultra Plus can be used.

Tear Troughs

Hollowness or darkened circles may appear under the eyes due to the loss of facial volume in the tear trough region. The superior or top region of the orbicularis oculi, levator labii superioris, and the medial levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles border the tear troughs. These troughs under the eyes are created when skin laxity increases in the aging process and subcutaneous fat in the face is loss leading to thinner skin under the eyes. Thus, a depression is formed between the lower eyelid and top of the cheeks. Tear troughs can be filled with Restylane® or Volbella™. For tear troughs with thin skin, Volbella™ is preferred.

Crow’s Feet

The skin on the outer sides of eyes and under the eyes become thinner and delicate thus creating fine lines and wrinkles. Crow’s feet are the number one reason why young people walk into a plastic surgeon’s office asking for botox.  When the orbicularis oculi muscle moves, facial expressions are formed thus the muscle contributes to the formation of crow’s feet on the lateral sides of the eyes. The zygomatic muscles can also contribute to the formation of these kind of wrinkles with continuous and repeated movement. When you smile, frown, and squint, you can see the formation of crow’s feet.  Botox can help maintain a youthful look around the eyes by preventing the scrunching of lines around the corners of the eyes.

Brow Droop or “Brow Ptosis”

The muscles begin to weaken with age, thus the outer ends of the eyebrows begin to droop and make the eyes looked weighed down. The frontalis muscle is responsible for elevating the eyebrows, and the skin on the forehead. The forehead muscle weakens in the aging process as with any facial muscle. Thus, the brow, especially the ends, starts to taper towards the temples rather than look uplifted.  Botox in some cases can help maintain an uplift look to the eyebrows.

Nasolabial folds

Nasolabial folds are fine lines that reach from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. These lines can deepen or become more apparent. The levator alae muscle, or levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and lip elevator muscles contribute to the nasolabial crease. The crease is also created with repeated use of the muscles in that area and loss of volume in the face. For deep nasolabial folds, Restylane® or Juvederm®Ultra Plus would be used; for thin lines, Vollure could fulfill this area.

Marionette Lines

Marionette lines are fine lines extending diagonally from the corners of the mouth to each side of the chin. The fine lines can deepen like the nasolabial crease with the aging process. Downward gravitational pull causes skin to sag and drop.  In addition, the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle contributes to the fine lines on the lateral sides of the mouth, which causes a sad expression by pulling down the corners of the mouth. These lines can be corrected with Juvederm® Vollure or Juvederm® Ultra.

Jowls

Jowls consist of the dropping of the lower parts of the cheeks. Jowls are formed from the overall weakening of facial muscles that happens during the aging process. Thus, the volume left in the face drops down towards the bottom of the face creating a less uplifting look and a more heavy expression. Loss of skin elasticity from loss of elastin and collagen production also contribute to jowl formations.

Lips (Border and Volume)

The lips lose volume, and wrinkles become more abundant or apparent on the lips and around the lips. In the aging process, lips lose their thickness because we begin to produce less collagen and start to appear thinner in volume and shape.  For a pouty lip augmentation, Juvederm®️ Ultra or Juvederm®️ Ultra Plus can achieve the look. For a defined lip shape, Restylane® is the preferred product. For minimal volume with subtlety, Volbella™ or Vollure is preferred to achieve this look.

Chin (Mental Crease)

The chin begins to look smaller or more recessed as skin loosens around it. The chin can also feel the effects of the downward pull of gravity from weakening facial muscles. In the aging process, the skin becomes less elastic on the face and falls onto the chin and jaw giving a sagging appearance. Voluma™ is a preferred filler at The Naderi Center for chin injections.

Jaw

Skin along the jaw line tends to be less elastic than the rest of the face and begin to drop and disrupt a contoured jawline. Loss of definition in the lower face and along the jaw line can be restored with a dermal filler such as Voluma™.

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Liquid Facelift Pricing

Click here for injection pricing.

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Preparing for your liquid facelift

Botox Injections

• In-office procedure takes between five to fifteen minutes to complete
• We ask that you avoid rubbing your face
• Results are visible in 3-5 days
• Must be repeated three to four times per year for best results
  • Most patients find that results last an average of 3-4 months (touch-up to maintain optimal look)
  • Goal is to weaken the targeted muscles without allowing them to regain bulk or strength

Dermal Filler Injections

• In-office procedure that takes five to fifteen minutes to complete depending on how many fillers used
• Lasts up to one to two years
  • Suggests touch-up every 6-9 months to maintain optimal look

Preparation

2 Weeks Prior to Botox and Filler Injections

To reduce and minimize bruising, please follow our dietary restrictions. For two weeks before your appointment, avoid nuts, seeds, fish, fish oil, NSAIDs, supplements, and anything that prolongs bleeding or are anticoagulants. Talk to your primary care doctor or physician specialist if you are on a blood thinner. We do not recommend patients that are on life saving medications stop medications in order to have any cosmetic procedures performed.

(Filler Injections) Patients who are prone to cold sores will need to start a prophylaxis dose of an antiviral medication prior to their injection treatment. Your physician provider will prescribe this medication prior to your treatment.

Day of Botox and Filler Injections

• Wear little to no makeup as much as possible
• Make sure you have eaten and your blood sugar is not low
  • It is not uncommon for patients to “pass-out” or get “vaso-vagal” during their injection. Most people are not fond of needles. Having a good blood sugar and being hydrated will make it less likely that you will feel queasy during your treatment.
• Make sure you have drank plenty of water and are not dehydrated
• Dress in cool comfortable clothes
• Come in at least 30 minutes ahead of your appointment if you like numbing cream
• Make your appointment for the next time before leaving the office since our doctor’s schedules book out months in advance. Botox®/Dysport® wears off in 3-4 months on average and must be repeated 3-4 times a year.  Filler longevity depends on product used and area injected, most patients need repeat injections in 6-9 months.

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Recovery after botox and filler injections for a liquid facelift

What to expect after your liquid facelift

Final Results

• Botox may take up to 2 weeks to fully work (may start to notice effect as soon as 3 days but do not be surprised if you have to wait the full 2 weeks).
• Filler results will be final at two weeks.  Any asymmetries and volume from swelling will have settled down after two weeks.

Numbing Cream

• If numbing cream was applied for your procedure, numbing effects may last another 1-2 hours after your procedure.

Swelling, Bleeding and Bruising

• Some swelling, pinpoint bleeding, and bruising around injection point is normal.
• Following our dietary instructions minimize swelling, bruising, and downtime
• You can use makeup and concealer the day of your injections to cover up any bruising

Ice, Ice, Ice

• Use small bag of frozen peas or crushed ice on injection area (do not use heavy ice bags)
• Ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off
• Continue icing for 48 hours if possible

No strenuous exercise

• Avoid heavy lifting and high impact cardio for 48 hours to reduce swelling and bruising

Avoid manipulating injection areas

• Do not massage, rub, or poke the area unless specifically advised by your physician
• You can wash your face but gently
• Avoid facials or rough scrubbing of the face for one week after the procedure

Non-surgical rhinoplasty

• Avoid glasses if they “dig into” the injection area (bring you glasses to your appointment for Dr. Shervin Naderi to determine its appropriateness for wear after non-surgical rhinoplasty
• For avid swimmers, mention your use of swim goggles during consultation

Arnica supplements

• Taking Arnica supplements quickly help reduce appearance of bruises

Eat pineapples and drink pineapple juice

• Pineapples have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help minimize swelling after injections

Do not over-evaluate your face the first 2 weeks

• Normal to have bruising, swelling, and/or asymmetry the first two weeks after injections
• Wait two weeks for swelling and bruising to be completely gone before you can appreciate your finals results

Take Tylenol for Pain

• It is normal to experience some pain and sensitivity in the area of the injection
• Tylenol can help relieve post-injection pain
• Avoid NSAIDS (Motrin, ibuprofen) which can make swelling and bruising worse

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Risks, Safety, and Potential Complications of the Liquid Facelift

Bruising after your liquid facelift

1. May last 1-2 weeks but bad bruises can last up to 4 weeks. That is not abnormal. Bruises can show up several days after the treatment.
2. Bruising can be covered with full coverage concealer such as Neostrata which we sell in the office or Cover Fx brand from Sephora.
3. Tear troughs and lips are more likely to bruise because these areas are more vascular than other parts of the face.

Swelling after your liquid facelift

1. May not always be even from side to side depending on pre-existing facial asymmetry, volume of injection, and bleeding at each injection site.
2. Initial swelling takes 2 weeks to settle.
3. Sleeping propped up and icing can minimize this side effect.
4. Avoid exercise for the first 48 hours or longer as swelling increases when working out.
5. Do not manipulate or massage area as this can aggravate swelling

Subtle Results after your liquid facelift

1. 1 syringe of filler is the equivalent of 1/5th a teaspoon in volume. After swelling subsides, there may be a need for additional filler injections if you desire increased volume.
2. Our doctors are very conservative and do not over-inject patients. Our physicians prefer to add volume slowly with time to achieve the desired result.
3. The first time you get injections, the results tend to go away faster. With repeated treatments, results last longer as you build your own collagen around the injection sites.

Dry Lips after your liquid facelift

1. Lips will become more dry post-injections. Ice the areas and keep lips lubricated with Vaseline or Aquaphor. No more than 20 minutes of ice at a time.

Asymmetry after your liquid facelift

1. Asymmetry can be related to swelling. Give it 2 weeks before deciding whether asymmetry is from filler volume differences or swelling.
2. Please keep in mind that once you start to analyze your face, it is not rare to start to “notice” new asymmetries that have been there your entire life.

Lumps and Bumps after your liquid facelift

1. The filler is going to feel firmer than your own tissue. Do not massage or manipulate the area.
2. The feeling of lumps and bumps usually improves within 2 weeks as swelling resolves.

Possible Complications After Botox

• Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions
• Infection 
• “Frozen look.” Botox works by weakening certain muscles of expression and must be injected in a correct pattern for natural expressions.
• Flu-like symptoms
• Minor headaches can occur
• Eyebrow or eyelid droop with possible double or blurry vision
• Muscle stiffness or weakness can theoretically occur, especially in patients with Myasthenia Gravis

Possible Complications After Dermal Filler Injections

• Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions
• Cold sore or herpes simplex virus outbreak
• Acne breakout
• Skin necrosis
• Intravascular injection leading to skin necrosis and even blindness
• Sterile abscess

Please notify our office immediately if you feel you may be experiencing any of the above possible complications after your filler injections.

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Why Choose Us?

Specialization matters! Dr. Shervin Naderi was just named “Top 25 Injector” by the 10-million-member community of RealSelf. Out of 2000 nominees, Dr. Naderi was chosen as Top 25! This is a huge honor being recognized by the national and international community of RealSelf, the most trusted and authoritative site for all unbiased plastic surgery research.

Dr. Naderi is one of only 4 winners in the South East region of the United States. His patients regularly fly and drive to The Naderi Center from all over the country for his unique style of Botox and Filler injections and have known how good he is. The doctors all over the world who regularly use his online tutorial videos to learn and enhance their own technique have always respected Dr. Naderi’s injection skills. But now it is official. Dr. Naderi is in a class so exclusive that only 25 out of 2000 can claim they are most beloved injector.

Dr. Naderi is a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and a National Clinical Trainer for Allergan and Medicis. He teaches other doctors how to inject Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane properly. Other doctors from all over the world refer to Dr. Naderi’s instructional videos on YouTube to fine tune and improve their own Filler injection Techniques.

Dr. Kulak is a Facial Plastic Surgeon with a gentle, artistic female touch and her patient love her nearly-pain-free techniques. She focuses on facial rejuvenation with advanced minimally invasive techniques as well as more invasive face lift and eyelid lift surgeries.

Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass is a board certified dermatologist who trained with Dr. Shervin Naderi prior to joining The Naderi Center. Dr. Snodgrass is expert on a variety of filler types and injection area techniques. Dr. Snodgrass’s dermal filler injections create a noticeable yet natural rejuvenation of the face.

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Schedule Your Liquid Facelift Consultation

Contact us to schedule a consultation for dermal filler injection with one of our specialists at The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology. We are located in the greater Washington DC area with two locations, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-222-2020 or Reston, Virginia, 703-481-0002. For out of town patients we offer virtual consultation prior to your visit which can be arranged by filling out our contact us form.

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Liquid Facelift FAQs