Many people will be aware of what a facelift procedure is, and perhaps some might be aware of the benefits it can bring to patients. Facelift surgery remains one of the most commonly requested procedures in cosmetic surgery in the UK and is a very commonly performed procedure at Centre for Surgery. Our surgeons perform more than 75 facelift operations each year. When carried out by an expert facelift surgeon, the results can be dramatic and lead to as much as 10 to 15 years being taken off you.
For most of us, age is just a number nowadays. Whether we are in our 40s, 50s, or 60s, patients want to look refreshed and revitalised without looking ‘overdone’ from surgery. For many patients, they feel that they look much older than they actually are, and this may even be remarked upon by other people, leading to a significant loss of confidence.
Fortunately, the number of treatments available has grown exponentially for those looking for more subtle improvements for the ageing face. Many patients will not be keen on having surgery, and the non-surgical facelift has grown significantly in popularity over the last 10 to 15 years. A non-surgical facelift is an excellent option for patients keen on using a non-invasive approach to address lax skin and increase the face’s volume and contouring. However, a non-surgical facelift is not for everyone, and many patients may find that surgery in the form of a facelift may be a better option to get the desired results.
The benefit of coming to the Centre for Surgery for facial rejuvenation lies in the fact that we have both non-surgical and surgical options for treating the ageing face. Our treatment philosophy is always to choose the least invasive approach if that will give you the results you desire. Similarly, we won’t suggest a non-surgical option if it is felt that the results will be sub-optimal and not up to your expectations.
What is a liquid facelift?
A liquid facelift is also called a non-surgical facelift and does not involve any surgery whatsoever. A liquid facelift makes use of a combination of anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers for expert volume restoration of the face, smoothening out of lines and wrinkles and the lifting of targeted areas of the face that have undergone sagging. The use of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers acts to increase volume in targeted areas of the face. It complements the use of neuromodulators, which act to soften and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, primarily in the upper third of the face. Everyone’s needs are different, and the liquid facelift can be customised to suit every patient. Some patients will be more concerned with areas under their eyes or around the mouth and lips. Others will be more concerned with the cheeks or jowl area or even the area in and around the eyebrow region.
As with all non-surgical aesthetic treatments, a liquid facelift can be effectively combined with other treatments such as Morpheus8, FaceTite or AccuTite, where skin tightening is required. These treatments can also be carried out later to maintain the results of a liquid facelift. As we all age, our bodies start to produce fewer of the building blocks that maintain the structure of healthy and supple skin, such as collagen and elastin. Combining a liquid facelift with skin tightening treatments such as Morpheus8 will act synergistically to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin, leading to an improvement in skin thickness and tightness.
Our expert aesthetic practitioners believe that the liquid facelift is ideal for those who still have relatively good skin elasticity and good skin texture with minimal soft tissue sagging. They may be looking to improve volume in areas such as the cheeks or to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and or crow’s feet in the eye region.
As with all non-surgical aesthetic treatments, it is always important to bear in mind that the results obtained from a liquid facelift will not be as significant as those obtained from a surgical facelift. Although the results can be really impressive from a non-surgical facelift, the liquid facelift is focused on volume restoration in targeted areas of the face and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can often be combined with laser resurfacing for fine lines and wrinkles in the eye region and around the mouth. With facelift surgery, the underlying muscles are surgically tightened, and excess redundant skin is surgically removed. For patients in their 50s and above and with a moderate to severe degree of facial ageing, a surgical facelift or mini facelift may be the best option.
What can I expect from having a liquid facelift?
Patients who have previously had muscle relaxant injections or dermal fillers should be familiar with a liquid facelift, as the treatment also involves cosmetic facial injections. In all cases, you will need to consult with an expert doctor or aesthetic practitioner for a comprehensive clinical assessment, followed by the formulation of a treatment plan to address your needs and preferences.
Liquid facelift treatment takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. The treatment generally involves using a very fine needle or cannula injections, depending on your doctor’s preference. In most cases, the dermal filler injections contain added lidocaine to improve treatment comfort and minimise any pain or discomfort. Following disinfection of the areas to be treated, your doctor will expertly inject the areas as per your treatment plan. In virtually all cases, patients will be able to see results immediately. The great thing about a non-surgical facelift is that the results will continue to improve over the next 2 to 3 weeks following the treatment.
As with facial injectables, there is little to no downtime following a liquid facelift treatment. It is common to expect a mild to moderate degree of bruising or swelling in the areas that have been injected, and there may be some localised tenderness in these areas. You can expect the symptoms to settle down after 48 to 72 hours of having treatment. Most patients can return to their normal activities of daily living immediately after treatment and can continue with their exercise regime the next day once the soft tissue filler has taken time to settle in its desired position.
How long does a liquid facelift last?
The beauty of a liquid facelift treatment lies in its convenience and simplicity. There is very little downtime involved, and patients can see results pretty much straight away; however, these results do not last forever. Depending on the actual treatment you received and the areas in which you had treatment, liquid facelifts last, on average, from six months to 24 months. A liquid facelift should not be seen as a permanent procedure, unlike a surgical facelift.
Muscle relaxant injections will need to be repeated every 3 to 4 months to maintain the results of minimised fine lines and wrinkles, and dermal fillers will last, on average, from six months to 12 months, depending on the area that has been injected. Dermal fillers injected around the mouth may need topping up after six months, while dermal fillers injected into the cheeks may require repeat treatment after 12 months. Your doctor will be able to advise you on how often to have top-up injections to maintain your results over time.
Although the surgical facelift is seen as more of a long-term permanent treatment, all patients will develop ageing changes over time. For patients who cannot take time off work or who are not keen on the idea of surgery, a liquid facelift could be the ideal treatment option to meet their needs and preferences.
How much does a liquid facelift cost?
At the Centre for Surgery, a liquid facelift starts at £1200, and the price will vary depending on the number of anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler required for adequate correction. We offer flexible financing options for patients who would like to pay with a finance option. Every patient is different, and therefore, each treatment plan will be based on that unique patient’s needs. Once your doctor has clinically assessed you, you will receive a bespoke quotation with a breakdown of the treatment. If you’d like to learn more about a liquid facelift, why not give us a call today and speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable patient care coordinators?
