Many plastic surgery centers now offer liquid facelifts as a viable alternative to the traditional facelift. A shorter, less invasive procedure to reduce wrinkles and restore volume with no downtime, this procedure may sound ideal, but are the effects of these two procedures really comparable? Below we explore the differences between these liquid facelifts and traditional facelifts to help you decide which option is best for you.
Differences in Procedure
Liquid facelifts are speedy, minimally invasive procedures. At the start of the procedure, the face is washed thoroughly with antibacterial soap before using dermal fillers to inject into problem areas. In contrast, a facelift is an intense surgical procedure where incisions are made from the hairline on the temple, around the front or inside of the ear, behind the ear, and into the hairline behind the ear. The skin is then lifted off of the tissue below, allowing for excess fat to be removed. After, the skin is refitted onto the new framework, and the excess is trimmed away before incisions close the surgery site.
Differences in Longevity
Depending on your skin type and the amount of facial volume lost before surgery, patients that undergo a facelift can expect to find improvements to their face for about 10 years. In contrast, a liquid facelift expires after about one year, if not sooner. Because liquid facelifts are performed with varying dermal fillers, this is only an average estimate as different products last for different amounts of time.
Differences in Recovery
Like other injectable treatments, liquid facelifts offer virtually no recovery time. The procedure only lasts a matter of minutes, and you are free to resume your normal routine afterward. As mentioned previously, a facelift procedure is much more intense, therefore, the recovery process is also much more complex. After surgery, the face is wrapped in bandages. Discomfort can be treated with prescribed pain medication. Bandages will be removed the following day at the surgeon’s office and then stitches are taken out after one week. Swelling and bruising will be apparent in the first two weeks, after which patients may return to work. Light activity can resume after three weeks. Most swelling will go down after a month, but can remain for up to six months.
Differences in What They Correct
Although they bear similar names and address the same area of the body, liquid facelifts and traditional facelifts correct different concerns. A facelift is useful in correcting loose neck skin, sagging cheek skin, and loose jawline skin, while a liquid facelift can mitigate the appearance of wrinkles, adding volume to hollow areas, and restoring volume to the cheeks.
At Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach, we pride ourselves in being able to deliver you with a new look and increased self-esteem. Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We will discuss your facelift treatment plan, cost, and recovery process. If you live in West Palm Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, or other surrounding areas of South Florida, our board-certified surgeons look forward to meeting with you.
