Everything You Should Know About Liquid Facelifts
Do you ever find yourself looking in the mirror and not recognize the face looking back at you? As we age, women may see noticeable changes to the structure of their skin, this is especially true for the face and jowls. Our skin naturally loses elasticity as we age and skin may start to noticeably sag. Let’s not forget that our worry lines and wrinkles may become more prominent too. These changes are unavoidable and can cause many women to lose confidence in their appearance. If you’re tired of trying every face cream or anti-aging product on the market, with little or no results, a liquid facelift may be right for you.
What is a liquid facelift?
A liquid facelift is a procedure performed by a licensed practitioner involving the strategic placement of dermal fillers via injections to problematic areas. This procedure is less invasive than surgical facelifts because there are no incisions necessary to achieve the desired look. Ideally, candidates for a liquid facelift have relatively fewer wrinkles and minimal sagging. Women seeking more dramatic results for excessive skin sagging should consider a surgical facelift to achieve desired results. While the main goal of a liquid facelift is to reduce sagging and wrinkles, it can also be beneficial to:
- Create fuller looking cheeks
- Add plumpness to lips
- Reduce the look of hollowed eyes
- Diminish the appearance of scars
- Tighten the wrinkles surrounding the lips, eyes, and forehead
How does a liquid facelift work?
As we age, the connective tissues in our skin known as collagen and elastin can break down more rapidly. This leads to noticeable wrinkles and lines on the skin. Many see a loss in fat in the face which can cause the face to appear gaunt or hollow. These factors lead many women to appear visibly older and most will search for procedures or products to reverse these effects. Liquid facelifts involve the use of fillers injected into the skin. These injections literally fill in the space between the layers of skin. A liquid facelift will add plumpness to the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. This procedure is exceptional for any woman who wishes to have a more contoured, fuller looking face.
Target areas for a liquid facelift
While liquid facelifts generally target the face, the fillers can also be used on your hands. Everyone’s procedure is different and depends entirely on the desired results. When focusing on the face
Your dermatologist may target areas such as:
- Jowls
- Cheeks
- Temples
- Eyebrows
- Under eyes
- Folds between the mouth and nose
- scars
What are the risks and side effects involved?
Unlike the more invasive surgical facelifts, a liquid facelift generally has no serious side effects or limitations after the procedure.
Typically there is less bruising than a traditional facelift. However, some light bruising is perfectly fine after receiving the injections. Bruising will typically appear worse if you use blood-thinning medications prior to your procedure or have the injections inserted around the eyes. It is essential you talk to your doctor and discuss all medications you are currently taking, even supplements and vitamins.
After receiving the injections it is not uncommon to experience some pain, swelling, and redness.
Although rare, serious side effects have been reported including:
- Allergic reactions
- Infections caused by bacteria (i.e. staph or strep) entering through the injection site
- Triggering herpes simplex virus (HSV) flare-ups
- Fillers entering blood vessels in the injection sites, which can lead to skin necrosis
It is recommended you always monitor your skin for reactions after injections and report to your doctor if you start to have flu or allergy-like symptoms.
What to expect and how to be prepared for the procedure
Typically a liquid facelift requires very little preparation. Ideally, before arriving the day of the procedure, your skin should be free of:
- Makeup
- Sunburn
- Skin infections or wounds near the injection site
In order to reduce the amount of bruising after the procedure, the following should be avoided at least two days prior to the procedure:
- Alcohol
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Aspirin products
The night before the procedure you’ll need to get plenty of rest. Try to arrive at your appointment early in order to have time to relax and prepare mentally for the procedure. Always consult your doctor to make sure no specific measures need to be taken in order to prepare for your procedure.
Recovery
Typically once your procedure is through you may return to work and normal activities. However, consider taking a day or two off if bruising is worse than anticipated. Some physicians will advise you to ice your face immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling. Your physician may also warn you to avoid strenuous exercise, direct sun exposure, and tanning for at least 24 hours after the procedure. When using fillers such as poly-L-lactic acid, you may be instructed by your doctor to massage the injected areas. Otherwise, avoid touching the injected areas for a minimum of three days after the procedure.
How long does a liquid facelift last?
Results are typically immediate unless your dermatologist used poly-L-lactic acid in which case you’ll see more gradual results over the next couple of weeks. Results will generally last between 6 and 24 months depending on the type of filler used. Repeat procedures are usually recommended to maintain the desired appearance. Discuss with your dermatologist how long your fillers will last and when they recommend you schedule your next procedure.
How much does a liquid facelift cost?
While liquid facelift costs are typically less than a traditional (surgical) facelift, it depends on a few factors including:
- The area your dermatologist or plastic surgeon is located. Prices can vary from city to city.
- The type of filler you decide to go with such as Botox or Juvederm.
- The number of injections expected at the time of treatment.
It’s best to talk with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon in your area for an accurate quote. Unfortunately, since this is an elective cosmetic procedure it is highly unlikely insurance will cover it.
Search for providers in your area today and enjoy a beautiful more youthful-looking complexion with a liquid facelift.