Non-Surgical Face Lift- Is It Worth the Hype?

In the current age of social media, in which we’re constantly in habit of coming across seemingly “flawless” and filtered images and youngsters often get attracted to Instagram models like the Kardashian-Jenner, it’s no surprise that people in our country are more influenced and interested in cosmetic procedures than ever before. And there’s a boom in procedures that don’t require patients to go under the knife.

Nonsurgical or minimally invasive method refers to procedures like facial injectables and laser resurfacing treatments that don’t need hospitalization or large incisions requiring little to no downtime, which means you can typically be in and out of the doctor’s office without much discomfort and hassle.

It’s clear that individuals aren’t always looking to go under the knife and so patients are opting for treatments and procedures that provide results similar to face-lifts without the actual surgery, also called as nonsurgical face-lifts.

A nonsurgical facelift is a combination of minimally invasive procedures, designed to rejuvenate and refresh the appearance. Compared with a surgical facelift, these techniques do not require large incisions, general anesthesia or overnight hospitalization. Even though you will not “go under the knife,” the anti-aging results from a non-surgical facelift are still significant.

Pros of the nonsurgical facelift

• Quick
• Little discomfort
• No general anesthesia required
• Economical
• Temporarily try out a new look

Cons of the nonsurgical facelift

• Moderate, less dramatic results
• Treatments must be repeated
• Costs can add up over months

The components of a nonsurgical facelift

Each nonsurgical facelift is custom-tailored to meet the individual’s unique needs. A variety of non-invasive techniques are available, addressing various issues like fine lines, deep creases, lax skin, thinning lips, sunken cheeks, large pores, acne scarring and the loss of facial volume. 

Common components of a nonsurgical facelift include:

• Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are considered to be the cornerstone of non-surgical facelifts. These smooth-gel injectibles immediately restore volume along the cheeks, temples, lips and under the eyes. Creating youthful vibrancy and plumping sunken areas, dark shadows are eliminated. Placed along with the Nasolabial Folds or Marionette Lines, fillers can create definition and smooth tissues for a wrinkle-free look. Dermal fillers can be made from several products, including moisture-rich Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Their plumping and smoothing properties can last from six months to over a full year.

• Botox

An important part of the nonsurgical facelift puzzle, Botox offers unmatched wrinkle reduction. It is often done to smoothen forehead creases, frown lines and crow’s feet. Botox works on any dynamic wrinkle as it temporarily relaxes the targeted muscle, Botox smoothens lines linked with repetitive expressions. Although Botox does not provide immediate results like wrinkle relief, patients will see results in one to two weeks. Benefits of Botox can be seen to last three months.

• Fat injections

It is a semi-invasive procedure, using fatty tissue extracted through liposuction on a different area of the body. These fat cells are cleaned and processed, then reinjected into the face to enhance facial volume. The living fat cells will integrate with the existing tissues, offering youthful contours that will last for years to come.

• Needleless treatments

While you can opt for skipping the needle altogether as several components of a nonsurgical facelift work to create a glowing complexion. Modern-day chemical peels are a trusted, non-invasive technique as it shrinks large pores and improves overall skin quality. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion resurface and exfoliate the skin, ridding dry and damaged tissue. Fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are reduced as fresher skin comes to the surface. Laser and ultrasound treatments, such as Ultherapy and ThermiTight, use concentrated energy to address the deepest, foundational layers of the skin. Over the months to come, tissues become firmer and tauter.

Nonsurgical facelift maintenance

Non-invasive treatments need to be repeated every few months to maintain optimal results. The more diligent you are about maintaining these nonsurgical treatments, over time, the less you may need. After a Botox session, as the skin and muscles are relaxed, expression lines will not worsen, which simply means less and fewer products can provide similar results in the future. Additionally, the HA in dermal fillers will increase the body’s collagen production, creating a sturdy scaffolding layer beneath the skin. Wrinkles are not as deep, so later on, fewer syringes of fillers may be required.

No matter the treatment, the natural aging process will continue. Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon means that each nonsurgical facelift can be custom-tailored for your skin’s evolving needs. Eventually, if the non-invasive techniques no longer help you achieve the desired results, people often opt for surgical procedures.

Over to you

Though, it depends on the individual whether to go for this easy peasy procedure or rather include a well-balanced diet, rich in antioxidants which are good for skin and try reaping the benefits naturally. 

Since it involves a consultation initially, we recommend speaking with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. With a qualified team, a nonsurgical facelift can help take years off your appearance and no one will ever know you had anything done. We advise you to discuss with your dermatologist and doctor first.