What is a Liquid Facelift?
A liquid facelift is a non-surgical way to rejuvenate a face that appears aged due to volume loss. As we age, we lose fat from our face, especially under the eyes, in the cheeks, and in the pre-jowl regions. As these areas lose volume, it makes the face look hollowed, creating shadows where there were none before. In addition to shadows, volume loss can cause lines and wrinkles to form, especially in the area where dimples usually occur. A minimally-invasive liquid facelift procedure uses hyaluronic acid-based injectable dermal fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse) or bio-stimulators to replace the volume lost during the aging process. Besides addressing facial fullness, it can also address nasolabial folds, frown lines, and other dynamic wrinkles. Botox is especially effective for treating dynamic wrinkles because it temporarily relaxes the facial muscles to smooth the skin and prevent wrinkle formation.
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Who Are Ideal Candidates for Liquid Facelifts?
Young women in their 40s who are just starting to see the signs of aging, but who are not yet candidates for a surgical facelift are generally ideal patients for a liquid facelift. People who are in good shape with very little body fat tend to look older because of the lack of fullness in their faces.
People who have had a facelift or another facial surgical procedure in the past sometimes do not look as youthful as they could because the facelift did not address the age-related volume loss. (Remember a facelift does two things: 1. It makes the skin container smaller by removing excess skin and 2. It reverses the effects of gravity by repositioning the soft tissue of the face to a more youthful position. A facelift does not correct volume loss, nor does it correct the loss of skin elasticity.)
Men are excellent candidates for liquid facelifts. Men in particular do not want obvious changes to their facial appearance overnight. Men tend to like improvements that are gradual over time and subtle but still make them look refreshed and more youthful. What we’re trying to avoid is the situation where you appear in your 50s on Friday and look like you are in your 40s on Monday.
What Is The Downtime For A Liquid Facelift?
Downtime is defined as the time after a procedure when you have to avoid being seen if you don’t want anyone to know you had something done. Having said that, the downtime after a liquid facelift depends on how much bruising you have. If you have no bruising, you will be able to go out that evening without anyone noticing. If you have a bruise at the injection site, it depends on how big the bruise is and if you can cover it with makeup.
There is no way to predict if you will have a bruise, how big the bruise will be, or how long the bruising will be there. If you do have some bruising, it usually lasts a few days to a week. The downtime is considerably less than a traditional facelift, which has a downtime of two weeks.
“I felt comfortable and cared for by everyone at your facility, and will highly recommend you to anyone in need of services.” – Dr. Stanislaw Patient
Liquid Facelift Recovery Instructions
The instructions for recovery vary depending on the specific product used to achieve the liquid facelift. In general, when you receive an injectable treatment at Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Stanislaw recommends the following recovery steps:
- Ice the areas injected for 24 hours
- Keep your head elevated during sleep for 24 hours
- No bending, lifting, or straining for 24 hours
How Long Does A Liquid Facelift Last?
No injectable treatment is designed to be permanent, as your body naturally breaks down the natural ingredients of products like Juvederm and Botox. How long these injectables last depends on several factors:
- Which specific injectable filler is being used (refer to the pages specific for each product)
- Which areas of the face are being volumized (the closer to the mouth, the faster the product breaks down because of greater muscle use)
- The patient; some people break down dermal fillers faster than others
There is no way to predict exactly how long a specific product will last in a specific person. During your consultation, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stanislaw will provide general ranges for your personalized liquid facelift treatment based on all available factors,
How Much Filler Will I Need For A Liquid Facelift?
During your consultation, Dr. Stanislaw will give you an estimate on the amount of filler you will need for natural results. The two factors that determine how much filler you will need are your degree of lost facial volume and the extent of the signs of aging in the treatment area. One person may desire just a subtle softening of lines and wrinkles, while another person may desire as much correction as possible. The more dramatic your desired results, the more filler you will need in the targeted areas.
Does A Liquid Facelift Hurt?
There is very little discomfort during this type of facelift. A topical numbing medication can be applied to the area before the injection if desired; however, this is not required. In addition, there is a numbing medication in the injectable fillers called lidocaine that makes you temporarily numb during the injection process.
A small percentage of patients complain of a mild ache for a day or two after the procedure. This is easily controlled with Motrin or Tylenol.
Schedule A Consultation
Interested in learning more about how injectable hyaluronic acid fillers can help rejuvenate a more youthful appearance with zero downtime? Contact us by calling (860) 404-6133 or filling out our online form.
Dr. Paul Stanislaw is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience achieving beautiful results with surgical and non-surgical plastic surgery procedures. Having your liquid facelift performed at the Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center ensures you get the best results with the lowest risk.
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