A Face Lift vs Injectables

For men and women looking for a youthful look, there is a range of invasive and non-invasive considerations. Although a face lift can be a dramatically altering procedure that brings years back to your face, you may not qualify for health reasons or you may not feel comfortable with an invasive procedure. Injectables such as dermal fillers or Botox can be a safer alternative for you. It’s important to weight your options in the matter, because there are pros and cons to each choice.

Rhytidectomy

A face lift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a very effective way to revitalize your face after years of age have set in. Although there is no set age for this procedure, it is important to make a solid decision for surgery. There are two major types of surgeries, including both a mini and a full face lift. Both work to repair lost muscle tone that cause wrinkles, remove fatty deposits that cause sagging, and stretch and remove excess skin that has lost its natural elasticity. This is a surgical procedure that requires incisions, usually around the ear and hairline to minimize the appearance of scars. This procedure generally affects the areas of the face around the jaw line and can also repair an aging neckline as well. If you were concerned about lines and wrinkles around your eyes you would need completely different procedure.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are gels and other substances created to smooth out lines and wrinkles without the need for surgery. They have also been called "liquid facelifts" because they also offer similar benefits of a facelift without the recovery time. What dermal fillers do not accomplish is help with excess or sagging skin. They do however provide an alternative way to minimize the effects of aging, adding more volume to our face. With dermal filers as with botulinum toxin treatments, these solutions are not permanent and must be repeated and maintained to keep the youthful look.

Botulinum Toxin

More commonly known as BOTOX, which is a brand name for these purified substances, are derived from bacteria. This works differently from fillers and does not help with sagging skin. This injectable blocks muscular nerve endings that are contracting to form wrinkles. It works to maintain a smoother appearance, mainly when applied in areas of the forehead. It is important to make sure that a professional surgeon administers your treatment as it has become so popular and widely known that everyone is looking for ways to get this treatment for themselves.

All of these options really target different signs of aging. A face lift is certainly more complete and invasive than dermal fillers and BOTOX but often you can combine two or all of these procedures for the most dramatic transformation. When you’re ready for a professional opinion, discuss your questions and concerns with your doctor.