Facelifts vs Dermal Fillers: Which one to choose
When it comes to fighting back against loss of facial volume or sagging skin, we offer several options. Dermal fillers as well as facelifts are designed for use on specific parts of the face and have specific purposes. Below is a description of both procedures and the ideal time to get the right treatment.
Facelift
A facelift is a plastic surgery procedure. It is important to note that not all people are good candidates to undergo surgery, as the work is done not only on the surface but also in the muscular area.
This procedure works best for men or women over 50, when the effect of time and gravity leave their imprint on the face. The neck or face begins to sag, the skin becomes flaccid and bags under the eyes appear. However, the skin may still retain elasticity.
This type of procedure is also recommended for people with noticeable signs of facial aging, influenced by prolonged sun exposure, hereditary factors, stress or poor eating habits.
The most frequently targeted areas are the face and the neck. However, a facelift procedure can also be performed to fix droopy eyelids and eyebrows or remove forehead wrinkles.
Facial Fillers
Fillers are aesthetic treatments increasingly used to get rid of expression lines. Among their numerous purposes, fillers restore volume to the face without undergoing surgery.
They can effectively treat all wrinkles, regardless of whether they are nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, rictus, frown lines or forehead lines. They have proved to be an efficient method for enhancing and contouring lips, and adding volume to cheeks.
The procedure consists of applying hyaluronic acid into the dermis. Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound present in the body that brings volume and elasticity to the face. It has a strong ability to retain water molecules but, as we age, the production of this substance decreases.
How are they applied?
The application of these fillers consists of injecting totally natural and resorbable substances, such as the above-mentioned hyaluronic acid, by means of a fine needle at a superficial level. Dermal fillers provide immediate results, and they integrate naturally into the tissue. These fillers usually do not cause rejection or side effects. Plus, the procedure is practically painless.
The effect of these fillers will depend on the skin quality, but it usually lasts between eight and ten months. Patients can resume their normal activities after the session, which usually takes less than 45 minutes. It is advisable to use sun protection after the treatment.
Dermal fillers are recommended for contouring cheekbones and chin, and improving facial proportions. Alternatively, they can be very helpful to treat acne scars or wrinkles on the lips and between the eyebrows.
Resorbable fillers are our bet at the clinic, but the technique we use will depend on the characteristics and needs of the patient. Results are best appreciated a couple of weeks after the session.
What is the difference between facial fillers and Botox?
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a modulator of muscle activity approved for cosmetic use to slow down the progression of dynamic wrinkles. It can relax or soften the muscles that cause the dreaded fine lines.
On the other hand, fillers are injectable sanitary products used for modifying or improving facial proportions and harmony in order to restore the loss of volume. They lift depressed structures and redefine the contour of the areas blurred by the passage of time. The most common fillers are cross-linked hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite and collagen.
What are the main benefits of facial fillers and facelift procedures?
At this point, it is normal to have doubts about whether fillers can replace a facelift procedure, because they both play a significant role in reducing wrinkles. If we intend to rejuvenate the face with one of these two techniques, the following considerations should be taken into account:
– A facelift is a surgery performed in an operating room while fillers are injectables used to fill the grooves, and do not require hospitalization or surgery. Unquestionably, facelifts must be performed in an authorized medical center.
– Another significant difference lies in the technique. Fillers are used to fill in the deepest wrinkles, while a facelift consists of tightening the skin and restructuring those areas of the face that have sagged over time. If necessary, excess skin can be removed during the surgery.
This means that a facelift minimizes wrinkles by stretching the skin, providing results that can be as permanent as time allows. In other words, the skin will likely lose its elasticity or firmness and even sag after about ten years. This procedure is recommended for middle-aged or elderly people with many wrinkles.
However, fillers are ideal for removing certain wrinkles and filling holes on the face. They last a year, at best, and often require touch-ups. Fillers are frequently used on younger patients when compared with facelift patients.
Therefore, if you are concerned about sagging and excessive wrinkled skin, a facelift will be the best choice, otherwise, facial fillers will be a better option as they will remove dynamic lines or wrinkles.
Contact us for a free consultation and skin assessment of the most suitable treatment option for you.
