“The Liquid Facelift”
One of the most common concerns among the patients we see in our office are about typical signs of facial aging: skin laxity, deflation of the cheeks, descent of the midfacial tissues, increasingly prominent nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and jowling. One of the biggest trends that many plastic surgeons have noted around the country is that more patients are seeking cosmetic improvement and facial rejuvenation without having to undergo surgery. While surgical face and neck lifting remain the gold standard for giving the most long-term improvement for signs of facial aging, the range of minimally invasive treatments has improved exponentially over the last several years. It has been well established that volume loss and tissue descent are the main factors that contribute to signs of facial aging. For patients who would like an improvement in the appearance of the face, the use of injectable fillers, many of which are composed of hyaluronic acid gels, can be used to replenish the missing volume, and provide a lift to sagging tissues in the cheeks, midface, and lower face. These injectable filler treatments are often termed a “liquid facelift,” and have become extremely popular over the last several years.
A “liquid facelift” treatment typically consists of injecting fillers into the face in different planes. Longer acting fillers are injected deeply, to elevate the cheek and mid facial tissues, as well as to smooth the appearance of jowls. Mid-layer fillers can then be placed into tissue folds like the nasolabial folds or marionette lines, and more superficial fillers can be placed into finer lines and wrinkles. The treatment is often accompanied by Botox injections for the upper third of the face. The net result can be very impressive: Patient’s often look refreshed and more youthful, without a “fake” or “done” appearance. Skin improvement procedures, like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and use of clinical grade skin care products further enhance the result, by improving the quality and tightness of the skin.
While the results are temporary, some of the fillers can last a significant period of time (up to a couple of years) and patients who undergo these treatments are able to avoid downtime, as well as some of the potential unwanted and at times permanent side effects that may accompany surgery. We have found that many of our patients have been very pleased with filler treatments, and have used them in conjunction with, and in many cases instead of undergoing surgery. If you desire a more youthful appearance, and are hesitant to undergo surgery, then contact our office to schedule your consultation, and find out if a liquid facelift is for you! 518.306.5466