For decades, prospective patients seeking facial rejuvenation have chosen facelift surgery to address their aging concerns. With the advancement of medical research and the development of new anti-aging techniques, patients now have a wider range of options. Despite the continued popularity of traditional facelift surgery, nonsurgical facelift treatments are getting noticed. For some patients, a nonsurgical approach could be the best fit. How would you decide between a surgical and a nonsurgical facelift? Consider these facts about each procedure so you can make the wisest choice for yourself.
About the Surgical Facelift Procedure
Traditional facelift surgery, known as rhytidectomy, has its roots in the early 1900s, when it became popular among Hollywood stars and rich women. The techniques have advanced leaps and bounds since the first facelift was performed. Today’s patients receive three to four hours of surgical time, during which the muscles, skin, soft tissues, and fat cells are manipulated to achieve the desired results. The procedure begins with incisions placed along the hairline, in front of and behind the ears, and ending at the lower hairline. They are placed in order to remain well hidden in the hair and/or the natural creases of the face.
With the incisions in place, the real changes can be made. The facial plastic surgeon then works to tighten and reposition the facial muscles along with the inelastic skin to create a more youthful appearance. If needed, fat cells can be removed or redistributed to improve the contour of the chin and jawline. The major changes are focused on the lower portion of the face, where gravity sends loose, sagging skin and misplaced fat pads from other parts of the face. With the necessary corrections made, your surgeon will close your incisions to complete the facelift surgery.
About Nonsurgical Facelift Techniques
A “nonsurgical facelift” isn’t really a procedure you can request as a pre-made package. This is a catchy, easy way to describe a group of treatments called injectables that offer quick results without a long recovery time. The procedure sometimes begins with a numbing agent like lidocaine applied to the treatment area. The substance is then injected into the skin, where it will begin to show results right away. Some injectable treatments are used to relax facial muscles, which diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, including worry lines and crow’s feet.
Injectable fillers, on the other hand, smooth wrinkles by plumping the skin with a biocompatible filler agent. These treatments are most effective on worry lines and nasolabial folds. Fillers can also be used to reduce sagging facial skin in specific areas, as well as raise depressed scars and add fullness to the lips. Injectable fillers, combined with anti-wrinkle injections, can create a rejuvenated look for your entire face.
Comparing the Risks of Both Facelift Types
Every procedure comes with the risk of complications. Although choosing your surgeon wisely can help you cut down on your risks, it’s important to be aware of them, especially when making a decision between two types of procedures. With that in mind, facelift surgery does pose some of its own risks, all of which have a very low rate of occurrence. They can sometimes include: infection, visible scarring, heavy bleeding or hematoma, tingling or numbness. Some patients also experience unpleasant side effects after surgery, including nausea and vomiting as a reaction to anesthesia, hair loss near the incisions, and prolonged pain or tenderness.
In comparison, nonsurgical treatments with Botox or Restylance don’t pose very many risks. Those that are associated with the procedure tend to be minor as well. Many patients may experience redness, bruising, and swelling around the injection site.
Comparing the Benefits of Both Facelift Types
Traditional surgical and nonsurgical facelifts both offer their own unique benefits. First, they can both be customized, but each to a different degree. Every nonsurgical facelift treatment is unique, because every patient is looking to achieve different results or correct different trouble spots. While surgical facelifts are customized to suit each patient as well, the basic approach is the same. Injectable treatments can focus on one area or many, use one type of injection or multiple. There is a lot of individual customization to each step of a nonsurgical treatment like this.
Furthermore, a nonsurgical facelift can be designed to address specific concerns, one at a time. Some types of injections are good for diminishing wrinkles, others for adding volume to parts of the face. Through a consultation with your facial plastic surgeon, you can receive only the treatments that address your concerns. He or she will likely talk to you about the typical products used for nonsurgical treatments, including Botox and Restylane. While the end results are temporary in nature, they are instantaneous and can be achieved without a single incision.
While nonsurgical facelifts will only last four months to a year, a facelift surgery has been shown to provide lasting results for eight to 12 years. Nonsurgical treatments can be “touched up” every so often to keep your results looking good, but a second facelift surgery won’t be scheduled for around 10 years, if at all. Many patients are happy to have one facelift surgery to last the rest of their lifetime. Some even touch up a surgical facelift with injectable treatments later on, just as a way to keep that rejuvenated look. Whatever approach is best for your needs, your facial plastic surgeon can help you to make the right choice for you.
Get Informed and Make Your Own Decision
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert Kessler, a board-certified general and facial plastic surgeon, and find out if you’re a better candidate for a facelift surgery or a nonsurgical treatment. He completed his medical degree with honors from Tufts University in Boston as well as a distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Short/NYU in New York. Prior to that, he completed a Plastic Surgery residency with the U.S. Air Force and the University of Texas.
Today, Dr. Kessler operates two practices in California, has worked as a surgical consultant and surgical assistant on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics including facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery, and body contouring. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kessler, contact his office, located at 2121 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 200, in Newport Beach, CA, by calling (949) 644-6544.
