Techniques For A Non-Surgical Facelift
A facelift can leave you looking years younger, but comes with a big price tag and a lengthy recovery period. Many patients are understandably uncertain as to whether they’re willing to undergo surgery, but there are many non-invasive, non-surgical facelift options currently on the market.
In recent years, aesthetic medicine has become significantly more advanced. From dermal fillers to microneedling to laser treatments, there are more choices now than ever before for those seeking to address issues like skin blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and more. Many of these procedures take less than an hour and come with little or no recovery time.
If you are considering a non-surgical facelift, we will break down some of the most successful treatments below to help you determine what’s right for you.
Botox And Dermal Fillers
Botox is one of the oldest and most reliable skin wrinkle treatments. It works by blocking the nerve signals responsible for facial contractions, which creates smoother skin. Botox can address issues like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are thick substances injected into the skin to add volume and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. They often contain active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which help the skin maintain a healthier, younger-looking appearance.
There are multiple types of dermal fillers on the market. When it comes to non-surgical facelifts, Voluma injections are particularly popular as Voluma is specifically designed to lift and contour the cheeks. However, is not the only option on the market for a non-surgical facelift.
Other popular fillers include:
- Juvederm – includes Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, Ultra, and Ultra Plus
- Restylane – includes Refyne, Defyne, Lyft, Silk, Kysse
- Radiesse – a unique filler based on hydroxyapatite
- Sculptra – naturally builds your own collagen instead of acting like a traditional filler
- Renuva – also not a traditional filler, naturally builds new fat cells in the treatment area
Getting dermal fillers is a quick, typically painless procedure. Your practitioner will apply a topical numbing cream and then administer the injections. They will provide aftercare instructions, which you should follow closely. Dermal fillers usually do not require a lengthy recovery period, but some patients may be asked to take precautions such as staying out of the sun for a set timeframe.
Skin Tightening With No Downtime
Ultherapy
Ultherapy works by delivering ultrasound heat energy beneath the skin’s surface to lift and support deeper layers of the skin. This can treat issues on the face, like sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Treatment usually takes about 30 minutes. Ultherapy is not painful and you can resume most daily activities immediately. Your skin may be flushed afterwards, but this should clear up on its own within a few weeks.
Ultherapy lasts longer than other options, with most patients maintaining their results up to two years.
Microneedling (Traditional and Energized)
Microneedling helps improve skin texture and tone, improving wrinkles and fine lines. It can also help with issues such as acne scars, birthmarks, and blemishes. Microneedling works by inserting tiny needles into the skin, creating micro-injuries that trigger the body’s natural healing response. This creates collagen and elastin, leaving your skin noticeably smoother.
While many patients are fearful of needles, the procedure is not typically painful. Your practitioner will apply topical numbing cream and then run the microneedling device over the treatment area. Microneedling sessions usually last around 30 minutes.
Most patients need around six treatments to see results. There is no recovery time after treatment and you can resume regular activities right away.
Forma (RF)
Forma combines radio frequency and heat to promote collagen production. It is completely non-invasive with zero downtime. For best results, one should expect to have a minimum of four treatments.
Skin Resurfacing
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels have been used for many years as a less invasive form of facial rejuvenation and there are a variety of options on the market. Chemical peels work by removing the outer layer of skin, allowing newer, healthier skin to form in its place. They work best for those who want to improve their skin texture or who have pigmentation issues.
During a chemical peel, your practitioner will apply an acid solution to your face and neck and let it sit for a set period of time. Most chemical peels last about 20 minutes. Deeper chemical peels may require bandages afterwards.
Over the course of 7 to 14 days, upper layers of skin will gradually peel off. Aftercare is usually required, which may include washing your skin regularly and applying dressings.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a superficial exfoliation technique that renews your skin texture and tone. It can help with issues such as wrinkles and fine lines, scars, sun damage, enlarged pores, age spots, and hyperpigmentation.
During the procedure, your practitioner uses a energized device to remove the most superficial layer of skin. Treatment usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes. For more severe issues – like age spots – you may need between 5 and 16 treatments to see results.
There is no recovery time after microdermabrasion, although you may experience mild issues like redness and swelling for a week following treatment.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing makes use of ablative or non-ablative laser technology to treat concerns like age-related skin issues, acne scars, uneven skin tone, and sun damage. An ablative treatment removes the outer layer of skin, while non-ablative treatments work by stimulating the production of proteins like collagen, which help enhance skin health.
There are various types of laser resurfacing treatments available, and a consultation should help you determine what’s best for you. Common laser treatments include:
- CO2 – uses pulsating beams of light to remove the outermost layer of skin while heating the underlying skin to stimulate collagen production
- IPL Photo Facials emit pulses of broad spectrum light that act on deeper layers of the skin. This can tighten and smooth out the skin while eliminating superficial capillaries, sun damage, and other skin issues.
- Clear + Brilliant – a low energy laser that helps repair damaged skin with little to no downtime
- Fractionated erbium lasers – uses a grid of tiny beams to create microscopic injuries, triggering the production of collagen and elastin.
- Elos (RF) – combines optical and radiofrequency energy to heat skin, causing it to tighten and create a younger-looking appearance
Recovery varies depending on your specific treatment. Some laser therapies have little to no recovery time, while others may require a few weeks of rest.
Energized Microneedling
As opposed to routine microneedling, energized microneedling is microneedling that uses radio frequency.
Morpheus
A combination of microneedling and radiofrequency, Morpheus targets specific layers of skin and deep tissues. This allows for more customizable results than many other options.
During treatment, your practitioner applies a topical numbing cream before running a handheld device over the treatment area. Depending on the area treated, sessions can last between 15 to 60 minutes and most patients need two to three sessions to get their desired results.
Morpheus entails very little aftercare. You can resume regular activities right away, although you should avoid the sun for the first few days following treatment.
Profound RF
Profound combines microneedling and radiofrequency energy to trigger the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. This tightens and tones the skin and is often used to treat more delicate areas such as the face, neck, and jawline.
What makes Profound unique is it is a long pulse, lower heat treatment, which stimulates elastin production more efficiently than other options. Prior to treatment, your practitioner will pre-inject the treatment area with a numbing compound. Treatment usually takes an hour to complete. Unlike other non-surgical facelift options, you only need a single session to see results.
Results from Profound can be very dramatic. Treatment can tighten and smooth skin, minimize cellulite, add volume to thinning skin, and reduce sagging in the jowls. It does entail a longer recovery period, however. You will need a week of downtime after Profound treatment, but can return to most non-strenuous activities within 24 hours.
Fractora
Fractora works by delivering radio frequency energy to the skin, which stimulates collagen production. It works by administering radio frequency energy via tiny pins, creating thermal injury. This both removes damaged skin and promotes collagen growth. The skin then works to repair itself, it becomes smoother and tighter.
Fractora can treat both minor issues like wrinkles and fine lines and more intense signs of aging like sagging skin in the jaws and neck. It can also reduce the appearance of scars, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
During Fractora treatment, your practitioner applies a topical anesthetic and runs a handheld device over the treatment area. Most people require between two and three sessions to see results, although you should notice some changes after a single session.
Fractora requires two to three days of downtime post-treatment.
Are There Drawbacks To Non-Surgical Facelifts?
While non-surgical facelifts can successfully treat many issues, the results will never be as dramatic as a surgical option. For more severe age-related volume loss, and skin laxity, non-surgical treatments may be inadequate. Severe skin laxity issues in the lower face and neck usually require surgical treatment.
Non-surgical options are also less permanent and often require follow-up treatments.
However, for those looking to make minor changes – like adding volume to the cheeks or reducing mild fine lines and wrinkles – non-surgical options are typically adequate and can save you time and money.
Non-Surgical Facelift: The Bottom Line
Due in large part to recent advances in aesthetic medicine, issues like sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines, and more can be treated without surgery. Fillers like Voluma can help contour the face and treatments like microneedling and laser therapy help the skin repair itself. If you are interested in improving your appearance without undergoing surgery, book a professional consultation to go over non-surgical facelift options.
Ready to get started? BLUSH’s practitioners have extensive experience with many non-surgical facelift options. Book a consultation today to talk over your options.