When you think of a facelift, you likely imagine anesthesia followed by incisions and considerable downtime. In other words, you probably think surgery is the only way to achieve a more youthful appearance. Fortunately, an alternative does exist at Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, FL. A liquid facelift is safe, easy, and noninvasive. It also effectively whisks away folds and wrinkles to refresh your skin.
What Is a Liquid Facelift?
A liquid facelift (LF) is a highly personalized treatment that targets specific spots on your face. It is not a one-size-fits-all therapy but instead a focused approach that delivers individual results. And at our office, we have a number of dermal fillers and neuromodulators that can be combined to meet your unique goals. Some of the injectables we may use include:
- Sculptra
- Restylane
- Juvederm
- Botox
- Dysport
An LF allows us to target multiple concerns in a single visit. To illustrate, we might contour and lift the cheeks as we minimize lines in the forehead. We can also restore volume loss in the temples, erase nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, and redefine the jawline. Results tend to develop quickly – sometimes before you even leave our office – with final effects typically showing in about a week.
Insider Information
While many people know fillers come in a variety of brands, few know these treatments are also made in different types and formulas. Variety is necessary to create natural results that extend from your brow to your chin. Your lips, nose, and forehead all have dramatically different needs, and having a catalog of fillers available ensures each area receives the most optimal treatment.
To be more specific, thicker and more viscous fillers are ideal for deeper parts of the face like the cheek. We can place the inject near the bone if needed to volumize as well as lift. Meanwhile, thinner and more pliable fillers work great just under the skin, around the mouth, and in the lips to erase lines and plump tissues.
Benefits of the LF
One of the first benefits we want to touch on is the versatile nature of the LF. It’s ideal for a variety of candidates and a broad range of ages. Those with relatively few wrinkles and a small amount of sagging may benefit the most from treatment, but the LF can work wonders for nearly anyone seeking an alternative to surgery. And depending on the product used, results may last up to two years.
In terms of specific results, the LF can:
- Plump the look and feel of lips
- Reduce hollow areas under the eyes
- Smooth wrinkles around the eyes, lips, and forehead
- Reduce the appearance of scars
- Fill in cheeks that have lost volume
- Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
An Easy But Effective Treatment
Here’s another benefit you might not have thought of until this moment: because the LF is non-surgical, you don’t need to undertake special preparations before your session. The process starts with a consultation, during which we examine your face and identify treatment areas. We’ll then choose the injectables most appropriate for your needs and decide how much product is needed.
Many injectables today are already formulated with lidocaine to deliver a thoroughly comfortable experience. But we may apply an additional numbing cream to your skin 15 to 20 minutes before treatment. You will then receive a series of injections to various areas of your face to target concerns and rejuvenate your appearance. Your treatment will likely be completed in under an hour.
Immediately Return to Life
We touched on this point earlier, but it’s worth circling back to. An LF requires minimal recovery with few activity restrictions. We will likely ask you to avoid strenuous exercise for a day. Exercise increases your heart rate and can lead to swelling and bruising. The same is true of touching your face – you shouldn’t rub or massage treated areas.
You should also avoid significant heat, meaning a visit to the spa or sauna is off the table. Heat increases blood flow to the face and may increase bruising. Also stay out of the sun, and if you do plan to be outside, wear sunblock to protect your skin. Last but not least, follow the instructions provided to you by our office. These will be tailored to suit your needs, and following them will encourage the best results possible.
The Effects of Time on the Face
Your face changes in a dozen different ways as the years pass by. Some changes are more obvious than others, but the most common include structural rearrangements.
In youth, facial fat is evenly distributed with additional pockets in the cheeks, temples, and forehead to deliver a smooth and plump canvas. But over time, that fat loses its volume, clumps, and shifts downward. Features that were formerly round may sink, while previously smooth and tight skin grows loose and saggy. Meanwhile, the lower half of the face gains fat so people look baggy around the chin and neck areas.
And Wrinkles, Too
Of course, wrinkles also develop. Those lines etched deep between the eyebrows and in the forehead are called expression lines. They’re caused by facial muscles constantly tugging and stretching the skin. Eventually, delicate tissues crease in response, and other folds may grow deeper as fat moves around and diminishes. Finer lines are owed to the natural degeneration of the skin as it loses its natural suppleness.
Maintain Your Results
The good news is that a liquid facelift helps reverse the hands of time. Just to reiterate, lines, wrinkles, and sagging can be addressed in one treatment. You can help preserve your results by caring for your skin in a very deliberate way. This means making sun protection a top priority. You should wear a daily sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Donning a wide-brimmed hat when you go outside is also a good idea.
Moisturizer is another essential to soothe dry skin and temporarily erase wrinkles. Those formulated specifically for the face may contain water to make them less greasy. Additional substances like glycerin can help water bind to the skin for a natural plumping effect. Exfoliant creams can likewise improve cellular turnover to remove dead cells that don’t slough off as easily as in youth. You should also:
- Drink plenty of water to hydrate skin from within
- Eat nourishing foods to feed cells
- Aim for eight hours of sleep each night
- Exercise regularly
Answers to Your Questions
Patients often ask if their results will look natural after an LF, and we’re proud to say the answer is yes. Our skilled team members will examine your face and ensure the injectables we use are proportionate to your natural curves and contours. We also base the fillers to be used on your precise needs.
While most fillers provide immediate results with just one treatment, some require several sessions. We can schedule follow-up treatments as your results start to dissipate or if you want additional enhancements.
Is an LF the Best Alternative to Surgery?
We think so. It provides broad results with just one session, and your appearance will be noticeably more youthful. You will also enjoy minimal downtime, no general anesthesia, and a completely personalized treatment plan.
The Easy Way to Rejuvenate
Dermal fillers and neurotoxins are versatile enough that they can be used in several different areas of your face. This means an LF can provide rejuvenation from your lips to your temples. Results develop almost immediately, and they can be easily preserved with routine skin care and regular maintenance sessions. Schedule your LF consultation today by contacting Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, FL.