A non-surgical facelift is a cosmetic procedure aiming to improve the face’s appearance without surgery.
Plastic surgeons perform non-surgical facelifts using various techniques and products, including injectables, laser treatments, and topical creams.
Non-surgical Facelift Techniques
Injectables
Injectables are a common type of non-surgical facelift. These are substances that are injected into the skin to improve its appearance.
Several types of injectables can be used, including Botox, which helps to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, and dermal fillers, which can add volume to the skin and smooth out wrinkles and scars.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are another type of non-surgical facelift. These treatments use lasers to resurface the skin and stimulate collagen production, which helps tighten and firm the skin.
Laser treatments can improve the texture and tone of the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and tighten sagging skin.
Topical Creams
Non-surgical facelifts can incorporate topical creams and serums.
These products are applied to the skin and can help improve its appearance by hydrating it, increasing collagen production, and reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Non-surgical facelifts are typically less invasive and have shorter recovery times than surgical facelifts.
They may not provide the same results as surgery, but you may need to repeat them more frequently to maintain the desired effects.
What Happens During Non-surgical Facelift Procedure
During a non-surgical facelift, a healthcare provider will use one or more techniques to improve the appearance of the face.
The particular procedures required will vary depending on the type of surgery your surgeon does.
Injectables:
- The provider will clean the treatment area and may apply a numbing cream to reduce discomfort.
- Using a fine needle, the provider will inject the injectable substance into the desired areas of the face.
- The injections may cause mild pain, but your provider can manage it using numbing cream or ice.
- The treatment typically takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Laser Treatments:
- The provider will use a laser to resurface the skin and stimulate collagen production.
- The laser may cause a sensation of heat or discomfort during the treatment.
- The provider will clean the treatment area and may apply a numbing cream to reduce discomfort. The treatment typically takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Topical Treatments:
- The provider will clean the treatment area and apply the topical cream or serum to the skin.
- The treatment may require multiple applications over time to achieve the desired results.
You might notice some redness, swelling, or slight soreness following the procedure, but these side effects should go away within a few days.
Why Do I Need a Facelift?
Several factors may require you to have a facelift, including:-
- Aging
- If you have Sagging cheeks
- You have lines and wrinkles
- Your face has dark circles
- Loss of body mass, e.g., after spending long periods in water.
- Glycation
- Aging: As you grow old, your skin becomes less elastic, dry, and thin. This causes injuries to the elastic and collagen fibers, which are replaced by different collagen fibers. As the process keeps repeating itself, they form wrinkles.
- Loss of body mass: Long stay in the water alters the balance of the skin’s electrolytes. This, in return, modifies the stability of the membranes of neurons underneath the skin. During this period, your neurons will start firing, causing your vessels to constrict and your skin to have wrinkles.
- Glycation: According to Doris J. Day, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center. Too much glucose in the blood leads to glycation making fibers stiff and inflexible, leading to wrinkles.
You will need a facelift to correct all the problems listed above.
Target Areas For Non-surgical Facelift
It is used most commonly on the jowls, face, and neck; other areas include:
- Forehead
- Cheeks
- Eyebrows
In case you need a custom non-surgical facelift, it is recommended that you discuss it with your physician during consultation.
Types Of Non-surgical Facelifts
Depending on what you want to treat, there are different non-surgical facelift options to fix your loose skin. This includes:
- Botox Injections
- Thread Lift
- Laser therapy
- Face lift tape
- Ultherapy
- Anti-wrinkle Creams
- Fillers
Botox Injections
Most plastic surgeons prefer using botox injection because it has fewer side effects. In addition, its ability to temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is excellent.
Botox is excellent for you if you are looking for a temporal solution for your wrinkled face. The result lasts about 3-4months and costs around $500-$600.
Apart from wrinkles, Botox can treat conditions such as excessive sweating and migraines.
Thread Lift
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, becoming loose and sagging. The thread lift is a non-surgical facelift procedure where your plastic surgeon uses sutures to lift your facial skin.
During the process, your cosmetic surgeon uses stitches to eliminate portions of your loose skin.
One thing I like about thread lift, you can drive yourself home after treatment, and it takes a short time to recover.
Laser Therapy
Laser skin rejuvenation is another option used to lift your drooping face skin. This procedure is painless and removes the top skin layer affected by wrinkles and sun damage.
The new cells that come out give your skin a new tight, youthful look.
Depending on your treatment preference, recovery may take 10-21 days.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, non-ablative laser treatment costs about $1,031 per session, while ablative treatments cost about $2,330 per session.
Facelift Tape
non-surgical facelift tape is the cheapest procedure for all the options. It is not a complicated procedure and can be done at your home.
Facelift tape is used to uplift the spot of an area you would like to lift.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is the best non-surgical facelift for jowls. The procedure uses ultrasound technology to lift droopy jawline skin.
As you age, the collagen production in your skin stops leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Ultherapy regenerates collagen production, which in return tightens your skin.
Anti-wrinkle Creams
Anti-wrinkle creams are suitable for people who are yet young as they don’t work on sagging skin.
If you are mid-age, you can use anti-aging creams to treat fine lines and maintain skin tone. According to Genevieve Vielbig, R.N., B.S.N., C.A.N.S., sunblock is the best anti-aging product to treat wrinkles.
Fillers
Fillers are One of the most popular non-surgical options. Two types of fillers are commonly used.
- Radiesse
- Restylane
Dermal fillers fill facial lines and rejuvenate your facial skin by restoring the facial volume.
Most cosmetic surgery surgeons prefer using hyaluronic acid fillers as they present fewer side effects.
Examples of Hyaluronic acid wrinkle fillers include:
- Juvederm Voluma XC
- Juvederm XC
- Restylane Refyne
- Restylane Defyne
Learn More: Juvederm: Everything You Need To Know
Non-surgical Facelift Cost
The cost of a non-surgical facelift differs from patient to patient. Some procedures cost more than others.
For example, a facelift performed in one area like the forehead alone costs less than if done in your entire face. In addition, other factors that affect non-surgical facelift costs include:
- Your facial asymmetry
- The shape of your face
- Type of facelift procedure chosen.
- Other complications like allergies.
- your location
The average cost of a facelift is $7,448. However, the cost of having a non-surgical face lift varies from patient to patient due to the option used.
Take Away
There is no “best” non-surgical facelift procedure, as different treatments may be more suitable for people depending on their individual goals and needs.
When choosing which non-surgical facelift procedure may be ideal for you, keep the following factors in mind:
- Consult with a qualified healthcare provider: A professional provider will be able to assess your skin and determine which treatment or combination of treatments will be most effective for you.
- Consider your goals: Are you looking to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, add volume to the skin, tighten sagging skin, or address other concerns? Different non-surgical facelift procedures address different concerns, so it’s necessary to consider what you hope to achieve.
- Think about the potential risks and side effects: Some non-surgical facelift procedures carry a higher risk of side effects than others. Before choosing a treatment, be sure to go through any risks and side effects with your doctor.
- Consider your budget: Non-surgical facelift procedures can vary significantly in cost, depending on the type of treatment and the provider you choose. Be sure to consider your budget and whether you are comfortable with the cost of the treatment.
Ultimately, your best non-surgical facelift procedure will depend on your individual goals, needs, and preferences.
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- Harvard Medical School. (October 2018). Non-Surgical Facelift: What You Should Know. health.harvard.edu/blog/non-surgical-facelift-what-you-should-know-2018101012300
- Plastic Surgery Journal. (March 2018). Noninvasive Facelift: A Review of Current Treatment Options. journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2018/03000/Noninvasive_Facelift__A_Review_of_Current.13.aspx
- MedlinePlus. (May 2020). Non-Surgical Facelift. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007670.htm
- British Association of Dermatologists. (March 2019). Non-Surgical Facelift Options. bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets/non-surgical-facelift-options/