Liquid Facelift: Turn back the hands of time

Although the skin appears tighter after facelifts, balance and youthfulness can be lacking due to volume loss. The goal of volume replacement is to help patients look more like they did 10-15 years ago, not to make them look like someone else. The term “liquid facelift” refers to treatments that can be performed using injectable therapies that require little or no downtime.

Neuromodulators work on the underlying muscles by relaxing them [Botox, Dysport, Xeomin], softening wrinkles [facial fillers] or appearing to lift a certain area of the face. Other therapies add volume [facial fillers, fat transfer].

As the face ages, it loses volume. This causes shifts in the youthful contours and prominent landmarks of the face. Loss of facial fat, muscle, bone and reduced skin elascity leads to folds, lines, jowls and wrinkles – the dreaded signs of age. Facelifts work to return facial structures to the original positions by shifting muscular structures, removing excess skin and re-drape of the skin to carry a more youthful contoured position. However, facelifts carry increased cost, downtime and surgical interventions. Many 40-50 year olds are looking for facial rejuvenation to tide them over until their facial aging mandates a formal surgical procedure.

Tissue Filler Injectables

Tissue fillers are another group of injectables used for liquid facelifts. The most commonly used are Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse. Not all products can be used just anywhere on the face. Depending on the patient’s appearance and the treatment location, one or a combination of these products can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and provide plumping of various facial structures. Hollowing under the eyes, mid face droop, hollow temples and chin sag can dramatically improve with volume. Cheeks can be enhanced to return that heart-shaped, youthful face and to lift the nasolabial folds. Nasolabial folds and marionette lines can be treated with tissue fillers as an adjunct to mid face surgical lift procedures.

Sculptra and Selphyl exist in a category called collagen stimulators. They can be used to add volume to most areas of the face. Each work by stimulating the body’s natural collagen, which helps smooth out the lines and wrinkles. Selphyl uses platelet-rich plasma to trick the body to generate more collagen.

Neuromodulators:Botox

Neuromodulators relax dynamic muscles that create wrinkles as they contract. Areas that can be treated with Botox include crow’s feet. frown lines, forehead lines, neck lines and chin dimpling. Botox can elongate the appearance of the chin and elevate the corners of the lips, enhancing the patient’s smile. A small amount injected in the lip border reduces the appearance of lip lines and can help the lips appear more plump.

Botox injection is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure today. Improvement of the wrinkles may last up to four to six months. Until recently, Botox was the only botulinum toxin A preparation with a cosmetic indication. Dysport, the first competitor with similar indications was approved in April 2009. Xeomin has now entered the market with lower unit price than that of Botox and Dysport.

Facial balance can be returned using a combination of the products discussed- with little downtime and without major, invasive surgery. Facial injection is an art form and you must choose your artist well. Review before and after photographs and make sure you have appropriate expectations for non-surgical facial enhancement before you present for facial review. Make sure that your aesthetic ideal matches that of your cosmetic surgeon injection artist.