Wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of aging occur due to decreased collagen and elastin production with age. When these effects become visible, some people opt for a facelift.
Decades ago, facelifts were an entirely surgical procedure designed to tighten and reduce the appearance of loose skin. In more recent years, a less-invasive solution has emerged. Liquid facelifts use a combination of injectable treatments to improve skin appearance.
If you’re thinking about addressing these common cosmetic concerns, understand the differences between surgical and liquid facelifts.
What Is a Liquid Facelift?
The procedure for a liquid facelift is non-surgical, non-invasive and requires less recovery time. Injections help increase facial volume in areas with decreasing collagen and elastin, resulting in a fuller, more youthful appearance.
While the approach will depend on each patient, liquid facelifts generally add dermal fillers to areas with fine lines and wrinkles, including the cheeks, forehead, under the lower eyelids and around the nose and mouth.
At the Vein Centers of Connecticut, injectables used for liquid facelifts may include:
- Juvéderm® for facial lines, deep folds, shaping facial contours and lip enhancement
- Botox Cosmetic® for frown lines, crow’s feet and corners of the mouth
We also offer Topical Laser Vein Removal and Laser Hair Removal for the upper lip and chin.
As an overall benefit, liquid facelifts result in a plumper, refreshed appearance sooner. Yet results do not last forever and you should expect to undergo periodic touchups.
What Is a Surgical Facelift?
A surgical facelift involves incisions to remove or pull back excess skin. This approach helps lessen the appearance of sagginess, wrinkles and conceals any resulting scars.
Although designed to be more permanent, the procedure comes with more significant risks. Recovery can last for weeks to months and, due to swelling and bruising, results are not always immediate.
On the other hand, most patients don’t need an adjustment for roughly the next decade. Additionally, surgical facelifts tend to deliver more dramatic results for those with more visible signs of aging, including jowls and looser skin.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Facelifts
Liquid facelifts offer a less-invasive solution to improve your appearance that delivers quicker results and involves fewer complications. Swelling and light bruising near the jawline or nasolabial folds may occur right after the procedure, yet most return to work in one or two days. The result may also look more natural and less “overdone” than a surgical facelift.
In terms of the duration of results, surgical facelifts have the upper hand. While injectables wear off, you likely won’t need an adjustment after a surgical facelift for at least 10 years. These procedures can be ideal for those with a double chin, visible drooping or prominent jowls. Yet results are not immediate and the swelling can take weeks to fully go down.
Also think about the degree of results you’re looking to achieve. Liquid facelifts have the edge if you’re looking to restore volume and improve definition, while surgical facelifts can better address visibly loose skin by adjusting, removing or repositing excess tissue.
Learn more about the benefits of a liquid facelift at the Vein Centers of Connecticut! Contact us to schedule a consultation.