A liquid facelift is a minimally invasive, anti-aging treatment that uses a combination of neuromodulators and dermal fillers to add volume to the face and smooth out wrinkles. The best candidates for this treatment are in their late 30s to 40s with some elasticity in their skin. This procedure helps to delay a surgical facelift. It targets the most visible signs of aging: wrinkles and loss of volume in the face.
The dermal fillers can lift the cheeks, add fullness to the cheeks and lips, redefine the jawline and chin, and fill the temple area and under-eye hollows. They are used to recreate a youthful heart-shaped or a Y-shaped face; hence the procedure is sometimes known as the Y Lift.
Fillers used in the treatment are usually Hyaluronic Acid-based such as Juvéderm, Belotero, or Restylane. Some other fillers used are Radiesse, Sculptra, and Bellafill.
Neuromodulators, like Botox, minimize facial muscle movement to prevent wrinkle formation.
Before the procedure, a doctor will map out the patient's face to find strategic placements for the injections to lift and sculpt the face. The results of a liquid facelift are almost immediate. The liquid facelift is an alternative to a surgical facelift for patients who are not surgical candidates or do not want to have surgery. Unlike surgical facelifts, which cannot restore volume in the face, the liquid lift can.
Once the targeted areas of the face are marked, if needed, patients can request a topical numbing cream or nerve blocks for a more comfortable experience. After the filler is injected, the doctor will inject the neuromodulator (i.e., Botox) into the targeted areas to relax muscles and smooth out wrinkles.
The treatment requires no downtime. There may be some swelling, tenderness, redness, or bruising in the injected areas, which will ease after several days. Doctors recommend abstaining from any strenuous activity for the next 24-48 hours. Some patients choose to spread out their treatments over a few sessions to allow for the results of the procedure to be assessed before more fillers are added.
The results of fillers last for six months to a couple of years, depending on the amount and type of product used and the placement of the filler. Botox can last for 3-4 months.
