The liquid facelift is not a traditional facelift, whereby a
surgeon makes incisions in the folds of the skin—usually around and behind the
ear, as well as into the hairline—lifts it, and tightens the muscles and
connective tissue underneath it. Rather, this technique uses a variety of
dermal fillers and injectables to plump the skin, making it look fuller and
more youthful—and it’s all done without the need for surgery.
With aging, the face loses elasticity and volume due to a
breakdown of collagen and elastin, two proteins naturally made by the body that
give the skin its fullness and firmness. When the proteins wear away, the
facial muscles and skin begin to sag, or areas become hollow. Fillers and
injectables like Botox and Restylane can fill areas of the skin that are depressed
or creased. The liquid facelift, therefore, is effective in treating lines and
wrinkles and filling areas of the skin that need bulk.
This technique can improve almost any area of the face,
including:
·
Frown lines on the forehead
- Lips
- Chin
- Cheeks
- Under eye hollows and bags
- Crow’s feet
- Lines running from the nose to the mouth
(nasolabial)
After examining your skin and understanding the results you
want to achieve, your specialist can determine which fillers and injectables to
use. The skin will be numbed with a topical or local anesthetic before a series
of needles are used to inject each treatment area with the filler that is
designed to treat that particular area. Depending on the number of injections
sites and the location of the injections, the entire procedure will take less
than an hour.
Patients may have some discomfort, swelling and redness at
the injection sites following a liquid facelift. These symptoms can be managed
with over-the-counter medications and ice packs. Results are immediate after
the procedure, and those results will get better as the fillers and injectables
take effect and swelling goes down.
Fillers used during a liquid facelift will break
down over time, but the results can last from six months to a year and touchups
can prolong them. Read More