Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, tightens the saggy facial tissues to restore a naturally youthful appearance. It can also help in smoothing out folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline. It is often said that having facelift surgery works to turn back the clock and that’s true. This procedure help a patient look like a younger version of her or himself. On the other hand, Facial fillers are the substances injected into the skin of patient to smooth wrinkles and also make them less noticeable. Facial fillers are a type of nonsurgical cosmetic procedure and are also called derma fillers. Additionally, derma fillers plump up wrinkles and smooth lines and restore the volume in your face. Facelift VS Fillers, which is the right procedure for you, depends on your facial requirements.
Before deciding which one is the best choice, let’s get to know what happens in facelift Vs fillers and what the possible outcomes of these procedures are.
Face Lift The Procedure
A facelift is usually carried out under general anesthesia. It may sometimes be performed using local anesthesia and sedation. There are many different kinds of facelifts, but generally the surgeon:
- Start with incisions above the hairline at the temple that extend underneath your earlobe, down in front of your ear, and behind the ear.
- They can also make incisions under the chin if you choose for a jawline lift.
- Then, your surplus skin is removed.
- The remaining is pulled backward and upwards before stitching into its new position.
- Sometimes, the surgeon redistributes the facial fat and tissues, and some face is added to the face.
- The next step is bandaging the face to minimize the bruising.
- It usually takes 2 to 3 hours. However, most people need to stay in the hospital overnight.
- Surgeons also recommend pain relief if you experience any discomfort afterward.
Types of Facelift Surgery
Traditional Facelift Surgery
In this technique surgeon make an incision in the hairline from the template, around and behind the ear and back into the hairline. Next they lift the skin away from the underlying tissues. The surgeon also remove fat and tighten the muscles. The surgeon pulls the skin up and back towards the scalp, removes any excess then stitch the skin into its new position.
Limited incision Facelift
In this technique, surgeons make smaller incisions just in front and just behind the ear. This technique is a less intensive version of a lower facelift, lifting and tightening the facial structure through smaller incisions. It is also a perfect option due to its versatility and the great outcomes it produces. Limited incision facelifts are for younger patients who want some facial refreshment and do not need the dramatic results of a full facelift.
Deep Plan/ SMAS Facelift
The main purpose of a deep plane facelift is to remove the saggy skin at the base of the chin and neck. So, it involves lifting up and strengthening the lax muscles in targeted area of the face. The deep plane facelift procedure involves the surgeon delving beneath the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). Furthermore, located under the skin close to the muscle used for smiling and frowning’ your surgeon will reposition, reshape, and smooth out the SMAS layer to remove the wrinkles and make you look younger and more radiant.
Cheekbone Facelift
The main goal of this technique is to enhance the appearance of the cheekbone while also removing or reducing the look of fine line and wrinkles in the mid-face area. This technique can help you to achieve the uplifted appearance you want. It also eliminates the under-eye puffiness and contouring the nasal folds so, that they are less pronounced.
Best Candidates for Facelift
The best candidates for facelifts are men and women who have begun to see the skin on their face as well as on the neck sag but have some elasticity. Other reasons are:
- Sagging of the skin and underlying muscle from the cheeks to the jawline
- Fewer folds of the skin on the face
- Volume loss in the cheeks as well as around the mouth
- Wrinkles around the nose and mouth
Benefits of Facelifts
- Facelift procedures target many signs of aging in one step.
- A facelift will help to eliminate a double chin.
- A facelift treatment can get rid of your jowls and tighten up the saggy facial skin.
- Facelift procedures pair well with other cosmetic procedures to help you reduce deep facial wrinkles.
- Invisible surgical scars.
- Facelift is not only for women but also for men, and both can get natural-looking results from it.
Fillers
The Procedure
You can get derma fillers in the surgeon office. Your surgeon cleans your skin and may apply numbing cream or lotion. After numbing the area, using a thin needle your surgeon injects the small amount of fillers under your skin. The needle will pinch or sting but most people don’t experience much pain during these injections. Your surgeon will inject the fillers in several areas. The whole process can take a few minutes or up to an hour.
Types of fillers
Hyaluronic Acid
It is a naturally occurring acid in your skin. It gives the volume and keeps the skin hydrated. Moreover, as with age your body stop making hyaluronic acid. The results from this filler last six month to a year.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite
It is a type of filler that mainly consists of a substance you have in your bones. It is used for deep wrinkles. In addition, the result of these fillers lasts around a year.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)
It is a substance that help your body to make its own collagen. It is used to smooth deep wrinkles. Results can last two years or more.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA):
This type of fillers consists of collagen and very small balls that stay under your skin after your surgeon inject them. This ball gives your skin volume and keep it firm.
Best Candidates for Fillers
People with busy routines and having fewer facial issues can take this procedure. Realistic expectation and complete understanding are really important. This procedure takes less time and recovery is easy.
Benefits of fillers
- Derma fillers keep your skin hydrated and smooth out wrinkles.
- Fillers can help you store the volume of the face.
- There is little to no recovery time in the process
- This procedure has fewer side effects as there are no incisions. Some light redness and swelling may appear near the injection site.
- This procedure is a cost-effective one.
Make the Best Choice: Facelift Vs Fillers
As you consider the facial procedures best for you, there are number of factors to evaluate. These factors should include expectations and aesthetic outcomes. So, below are the few core distinctions between facelift and face fillers.
Scope of results: While both treatments can help you minimize the signs of aging including wrinkles and fine lines, fillers are bit more limited in what they can accomplish. Facelift surgery can lift facial muscles but the fillers can’t do this. Fillers provide more modest results that is more than enough for some patients. But if you are looking for more comprehensive and dramatic change then you can go for facelift.
Longevity of results: if you choose facelift over fillers your results last a lot longer. Also, most patients who have a surgical facelift find that their results last for over a decade or more. But fillers can’t give you that type of longevity and usually fillers last for 12-18 months and some up to two years.
Recovery from the procedure: A facelift surgery needs a prolonged recovery time. By contrast recovery from the fillers is much faster as it involves minor bruising or swelling.
Cost of treatment: when you choose the fillers, the cost depends on the area being treated, how much correction is required, how many syringes are required, and how often you return for maintenance doses. The cost of a facelift is a one-time expense, but it can be more expensive than fillers.
Final Thoughts
Facelift or fillers, whether you choose any, there should be realistic expectations regarding the treatment. You should consider all the benefits and outcomes of both the procedures. Additionally, when considering facelift Vs fillers, do a thorough research and consult with the surgeons about your expectations as well as the possible outcomes. Other factors that you must know are recovery period, longevity, cost, and results. Choosing a board-certified surgeon helps you to choose a better option for you.
