The Liquid Face Lift – an Injectable Non-Surgical Treatment

The term liquid face lift is usually used to describe a series of injectable dermal fillers such as Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra, Juvederm or Perlane. They are considered a fairly safe alternative of face lift without surgery. These substances can improve the aspect of your skin by adding volume to the sagging areas of your face, this way reducing the fine lines and also the deeper wrinkles. Some injected products (neurotoxins) also have the ability of weakening or paralyzing the facial muscles that are responsible for crows feet and frown lines.

Of course, the use of all these substances is extremely controversial. The plastic surgeons providing such services claim that the injected serums are not threatening your health, while promoters of a natural lifestyle state the contrary. One way of the other, let’s analyze the facts so you could decide for yourself what is best for you.

Although the liquid face lift options are extremely popular nowadays, most professionals agree that they are not a perfect substitute for plastic surgery or other face lift procedures.

Have you noticed that young people have usually a plump face? When they get older, they lose this fullness in their cheeks, this way clearing the road for the first wrinkles. Besides the loss of fat in the facial skin, there are other factors that contribute to the appearance of the signs of old age: decreased collagen production, loss of elasticity and the weakening of the facial muscles. Together, these factors are gradually deteriorating the youthful aspect of your skin, making it vulnerable to the development of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

If you look old because of the loss of fullness, then the liquid face lift might be the perfect option for you. However, each case is unique and only a skilled professional can determine what the patient really needs – a surgical facelift, an injectable one, or maybe one of the other techniques of getting a face lift without surgery. Sometimes the desired effect can be achieved by combining some of these procedures, other times it’s better to choose and perform only one.

Let’s face it – nobody is enthusiastic about having a surgery. It can have wonderful results (though nobody can give you a 100% guarantee), but it is pricey and invasive, affecting your working schedule for the following weeks or even months. That’s why non-surgical face lift techniques are gaining such popularity nowadays – they can at least delay the need of a surgical facelift.

The liquid face lift has a filling, lifting and smoothing effect. Behind the brand names mentioned in the beginning of the article (Radiesse, Juvederm, Restalyn, Perlane etc.) are chemical substances – for example hydroxyl apatite or hyaluronic acid.

These products can be used in many different ways: removing the nasolabial folds, plumping the lips or increasing the fullness of the cheeks. Sometimes specialists use a combination of several fillers. Each substance has its specific properties, being appropriate for different situations.

Often, the botulinum toxin (Botox) is used in combination with other dermal fillers. Why is this necessary? Due to its property to block muscle contractions, botox can make the results of your liquid face lift last longer.

If you’re worried about the procedure itself, stay calm. Usually one visit to the specialist’s office is enough for performing the planned liquid facelift. Of course, the doctor will use anesthetics combined with nerve blocking substances – this way the procedure will be almost painless.

Before the procedure itself, you should have a pre-consult with the plastic surgeon. He or she will assess the condition of your skin and will decide which is the best way of improving your appearance, at the same time analyzing your medical history and making sure that no complications and side-effects will occur during the treatment.

The results will be visible immediately, improving gradually during the next weeks. If the treated area will look pink or slightly swollen after the procedure, don’t worry: by the next day, all unpleasant symptoms should disappear.

Of course, the liquid face lift is not the perfect procedure for everyone. The ideal candidates are people whose wrinkles and sagging skin appear as a result of loss of tissue volume. For a successful intervention, they should be non-smoking and in a good physical shape. They should also be realistic – while face lift without surgery is a good alternative to plastic surgery, don’t expect miracles overnight! Take it one step at a time and remember that artificial beautification means are effective, but they could never replace the natural beauty which is achieved through everyday effort and perseverance.