Non-surgical facelifts are the use of minimally invasive, non-surgical procedures to address the effects of aging, thereby giving you a new look. It is not a single procedure or treatment, but a combination of several. In this article, we’ll be discussing the benefits and the different types of non invasive face lift.
Skilled aestheticians use non-surgical procedures, such as dermal fillers, to create a rejuvenated appearance. This is one of the most common procedures and is popular with people whose faces begin to lose “volume” as they age. Doctors replace the lost volume with fillers, mainly visible on the cheeks, temples, lips, around the mouth, and under the eyes to help create a youthful and vibrant look. There are many types of non-invasive techniques, so it is often easy to customize treatments to meet each patient’s unique needs, addressing fine lines, deep wrinkles, thinning lips, reduced facial volume, and other types of problems. Alternatively, some types of fillers can lift the skin without adding any extra volume. This is for those who just want a facelift without any kind of bulk.
Benefits of non-surgical facelift
Unlike surgical facelifts, non-surgical facelifts do not require any large incisions, general anesthesia, or an overnight hospital stay. They are fast and patients leave the clinic as soon as the treatment is complete. In contrast, a traditional facelift or wrinkle removal is a surgical procedure. In other words, the patient is “under the knife”. The surgical results are more impressive, but because it is invasive, it carries certain risks and a higher complication rate, and a longer recovery time. There are many types of non-invasive techniques, so it is often easy to customize treatments to meet each patient’s unique needs, addressing fine lines, deep wrinkles, thinning lips, reduced facial volume, and other types of problems.
Side effects of non-surgical facelifts
Although risks and complications can exist with any technique, side effects from non-surgical cosmetic procedures tend to be minimal.
The most common side effects usually include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Burning or itching sensation
- Skin irritation
- Tenderness
Types of non-surgical facelifts
Thread lift
The doctor inserts a very thin absorbable thread into the problematic area of the face to give it a natural lift. In thread lifts, unlike surgery, the doctor doesn’t remove any loose skin. The result is subtle, though obvious as if pulling the skin back slightly, there is a lifting effect, leaving the face looking younger. The thread also triggers the body’s natural healing process and allows collagen to flow into the treated area. This is important because collagen plays a vital role in recovery.
Botox
Botox is another common treatment for a non-surgical facelift and is unrivaled in smoothing out wrinkles, forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and “crow’s feet”. The procedure temporarily relaxes the targeted muscles, removing or reducing the facial lines usually caused by repetitive expressions such as smiling or laughing. Botox won’t remove wrinkles right away, but you can see results within 1-2 weeks and can last up to three months.
Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are a prime example of a non-surgical cosmetic procedure. They are smooth gel injections that restore “lost volume” to the cheeks, temples, lips, and under the eyes immediately after insertion. Dermal fillers create youthful vitality by volumizing sunken areas and eliminating shadows. They also produce a smooth, free-flowing appearance when placed along the textured appearance of the nasolabial folds (often called smile lines or laugh lines) or puppet lines (common wrinkles that form around the mouth and chin with age). Dermal fillers contain ingredients like moisture-rich hyaluronic acid. They hydrate the skin by retaining moisture and act as buffers and lubricants to reduce damage to the skin. The volumizing and smoothing properties of fillers can last from six months to over a year.
Laser treatment
Laser therapy is another non-surgical cosmetic technique. Laser Treatments improve the skin quality and radiance by tightening pores in less than an hour, giving you a youthful glow.
Micro-needling treatment
This is a popular treatment that works on skin texture and improves pores. It takes up to four times, and two to four weeks apart to complete a micro-needling treatment. Sometimes, it’s supplemented with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants to maximize its benefits.
Carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy involves the diffusion of carbon dioxide gas in the middle layer of the skin to create a hypoxic state, reducing the oxygen supply to the area. This stimulates the brain to deliver more blood and nutrients to the treated area. This in turn leads to more collagen formation and skin regeneration. Depending on the skin, this treatment may require one or more weekly treatments for several weeks.
Chemical peels
An easy non-surgical facelift is to use advanced chemical peels. This is a trusted, non-invasive technique. Advanced chemical peels shrink large pores and improve overall skin quality.
Cryolipolysis
This is a kind of freezing technique that dissolves excess fat under the chin. It is done before other cosmetic procedures to give the face a defined jawline and improve lift. The procedure takes one to two sessions and is painless and requires no downtime.
HIFU Technology
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is the most advanced technology approved by the FDA. It works by using ultrasonic energy to stimulate collagen production, which results in firmer skin. Apart from cosmetic surgery, it is most often used to treat a double chin. Only one session is required, it can be repeated annually, and there is no downtime. Cosmetologists often use an integrated approach to achieve the best results, taking into account age, skin quality, general health, and previous treatments. Downtime and your budget are also considered when choosing the best treatment.
Non-surgical treatments are an excellent option for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as improving skin tone and firmness. However, these treatments do have their limitations. To minimize the risks of any procedure and maximize results, it is important to work with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with extensive experience in these techniques.
