What is a Liquid Facelift?
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As we age, many of us begin to notice our skin sagging or drooping even before notice wrinkles starting to appear. This sagging of the skin is caused by volume loss under the skin which is a normal part of aging. But, just because it’s “normal” doesn’t mean we have to accept it and it doesn’t mean you have to undergo surgery either!
A liquid facelift is an excellent option for restoring and rejuvenating your face to a more youthful state. This nonsurgical procedure uses injectables such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators to restore facial volume. By restoring facial volume, the sagging of the skin and wrinkles are reduced which restores the youthful appearance of the face instantly.
What Products are Used?
Typically, one or more dermal fillers are used to restore lost volume (loss of fat pads). The most commonly used dermal fillers include Juvéderm Voluma or Volbella, Radiesse, and Belotero for certain areas of the face. For example, as we age, the “apples” of our cheeks flatten out and droop downward which then causes the lower face to sag (jowling). By simply lifting the cheeks with dermal fillers like Voluma or Radiesse, we can restore the cheek contour, reduce the wrinkles around the nose and mouth and improve the drooping of the lower face. Other areas that may be injected are the temples, jawline, nasolabial folds, and lips. There are many FDA approved choices each of which have different consistencies to achieve different results. Your injector should always spend time during the initial consultation to examine your facial anatomy and discuss your desired results in order to choose the product or products that will deliver optimal results. It is extremely important to only have this done by an experienced and qualified injector, so be sure to ask questions, READ REVIEWS, and look at before and after photos by the injector.
In addition to restoring the lost facial volume, a neurotoxin such as Botox, Xeomin or Jeuveau will be used to soften wrinkles that are caused by facial movement. When done correctly, combining dermal fillers with Botox can soften or even eliminate most wrinkles while restoring the youthful shape and contour of your face.
How Much Will It Cost?
Cost can vary a good bit. Depending upon how much volume loss you’ve had (often correlated to your age), your injector will determine which products will be used and how many vials of each is needed. The number of units needed of Botox can vary widely also, depending upon the strength and expressiveness of your facial muscles. In most cases, you can expect to pay between $2000-$5000 for a complete treatment.
What to Expect the Day of Your Treatment – Does it Hurt?
During your initial consultation, your injector will let you know how long your visit will be (which will depend upon how many vials need to be injected). You will have a topical numbing agent applied prior to your injections to minimize discomfort. Your injector will use a white marking pen to map out your facial anatomy before injecting. Once all injections have been done, you’ll be given a cold pack to help reduce swelling, bruising and discomfort. You can expect to have some bruising (although usually minimal) and some swelling. This is all completely normal and resolves relatively quickly. There is no real downtime to this treatment but we don’t recommend doing it close in time to a special event in case of bruising. Better safe than sorry!
How Long Will It Last?
All neurotoxins are temporary and most last between 3-6 months. The best way to reduce the cost is to get your Botox/Xeomin on a regular bases (every 3-4 months) so that smaller amounts are required. The great thing about this is, the re-treatment appointments usually take 15 minutes or less and cause very little discomfort. Dermal fillers on the other hand can last anywhere from 8-18 months and is largely dependent upon your metabolism. If you’re a marathon runner or avid exerciser, you can usually anticipate a shorter life span for your filler.
The BEST way to make your results last is to invest in your investment! While the liquid facelift gives you IMMEDIATE results, remember, your skin is still aging. We highly recommend that you consult with our Medical Aestheticians and map out a plan of monthly maintenance treatments that will keep your skin making new collagen and elastin. HydraFacial, Laser Genesis, IPL and Vivace RF Microneedling are great options to boost your skin into high gear!
What to Expect the Day of Your Treatment – Does it Hurt?
During your initial consultation, your injector will let you know how long your visit will be (which will depend upon how many vials need to be injected). You will have a topical numbing agent applied prior to your injections to minimize discomfort. Your injector will use a white marking pen to map out your facial anatomy before injecting. Once all injections have been done, you’ll be given a cold pack to help reduce swelling, bruising and discomfort. You can expect to have some bruising (although usually minimal) and some swelling. This is all completely normal and resolves relatively quickly. There is no real downtime to this treatment but we don’t recommend doing it close in time to a special event in case of bruising. Better safe than sorry!