Take years off of your face in 45 minutes with a natural-looking, minimal downtime “Liquid Facelift,” one of the treatments we are most well-known for.
As we age, we lose fat, muscle and bone in our face. This loss creates a type of “sagging” in most individuals, which leads to flattened cheeks, deeper lines from the nose to the mouth (naso-labial folds), jowls, lines from the mouth to the chin (marionette lines) and loose skin on the neck.
Liquid Facelift is a term used to describe a procedure in which filler is added to the cheeks and lower face to create a lift of the cheeks and jowls. This remarkably natural-looking technique is a great alternative for those who do not have the time or interest in a surgical facelift. Four to six syringes of dermal fillers are typically needed for most patients, especially those over fifty who have not had other procedures in the past. “Liquid Facelifts” are tailored to each patient’s specific anatomical changes and the overall desired outcome. One to two syringes every 6-12 months are commonly needed to maintain your results.
Who can benefit from a “Liquid Facelift”?
Most people start to see deepening of their nasolabial folds, the line that runs from the nose to the corner of their mouth, starting in their 30s or 40s. Traditionally, fillers have been used to fill in this fold. But as we age, there tends to be volume loss from the upper area of the cheek as well, which causes the lower face to sag and descend. This can create deepening of not only the nasolabial folds, but also the marionette lines. The marionette lines run from the corners of the mouth down to the sides of the chin. When marionette lines occur, the jowls can become more prominent. Solely treating the nasolabial folds and marionette lines does not help with volume loss in the cheeks, which is the main cause of facial drooping and descent.
What to expect during treatment
Prior to the start of the treatment, a topical numbing medication is used to desensitize the skin. Additionally, there is lidocaine present in the fillers to further minimize the discomfort. The procedure takes around forty-five minutes and there is often swelling present immediately after. This swelling typically fades within the next day or two. If bruising occurs, swelling can persist until the bruising resolves. Avoiding blood thinning medications such as aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, turmeric, and fish oil (unless otherwise advised by your doctor) for at least one week prior to treatment is encouraged as these greatly increase the potential for bruising. Alcohol can also cause blood thinning and therefore increased risk of bruising if consumed in the 2-3 days leading up to your appointment.
What to expect after treatment
Results are instant and patients can see the lift before they leave our office. Expect to use ice on and off for the first few hours to help resolve swelling and minimize bruising. There may be some mild discomfort after treatment for a short time period. Bruises may occur, which resolve within 7-14 days. Although results are immediate, patients can expect to see their full settled outcome at approximately 2 weeks after treatment.
Do I need a Surgical Facelift or a Liquid Facelift?
Surgical Facelifts open up the skin with a scalpel and lift up the muscles and remove excess skin. Dermal fillers can be used instead of surgery to lift the tissue by placing enough of the filler in key places such as directly on the cheekbones. After restoring natural-looking cheek fullness, other areas such as the marionette lines are addressed. Often when the cheeks are lifted, the naso-labial folds soften and look more natural without the need for additional filler.
Five syringes of filler can make a wonderful correction, yet it is only 1 teaspoon of product in total. Furthermore, newer fillers have lidocaine powder in them and along with topical anesthetic, this procedure at the most is described as “mildly uncomfortable”. They also have longer durations making maintenance simple. Another possible benefit of lifting the cheeks is improvement in the neck area.
There is a point when many people would benefit more from a surgical facelift, but hundreds of our patients have been extremely pleased with how transformative their minimal downtime, 45-minute liquid facelift was. Dignity Medical Aesthetics was the first medical aesthetic practice in this area to provide liquid facelifts, starting in 2008. We also train other medical providers all over the nation in these techniques.
Botox can be added to soften frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet to the same appointment if desired.
For more information, call 916 939-3889 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
