The Best Non-Surgical Facial Treatments to Look Younger
Updated
By Dr. Fan
The idea of surgery can be a source of extreme anxiety for patients looking for ways to look younger. In reality, surgery is not always necessary to achieve the results you want. For people considering facial treatments, it’s a good idea to be picky about the procedures in order to ensure the best results.
To dispell a common myth, there is no such thing as a ”non-surgical facelift.” While there may be products that call themselves a non-surgical facelift, there is no non-surgical equivalent of a real facelift.
If you're a patient who really needs a facelift, non-surgical options will not deliver optimal results. For the right application, however, there are several facial enhancement and rejuvenation options that can deliver greats results, without surgery.
The Best Non-Surgical Facial Treatments
Depending on the extent of the imperfections or signs of aging you want to address, you may be a great candidate for a non-surgical treatment. For instance, fillers can remedy a loss of volume, but sagging requires a surgical procedure to lift and reposition the existing tissue.
Your face is the part of you the whole world sees. Why not present the best version of you?
Let's look at the best non-surgical facial rejuvenation options available so you can decide if any of them are a good fit for your specific needs.
Botox
If you're looking to remove wrinkles and lines brought on by aging and repeated facial muscle action, Botox may be a great choice for you. Botox is used to stop the contraction of small, localized facial muscles by temporarily paralyzing them, allowing the wrinkles to flatten out gradually.
Botox can also be used to narrow a wide jawline without surgery. This treatment requires injections that are relatively comfortable and the total treatment time can be under ten minutes. The results look natural, but they are temporary, lasting about 3-4 months.
Target areas include:
- Between and above the brows
- Crow’s feet or horizontal lines near the eyes
- Forehead
- Around the mouth
Injectable Fillers
With aging often comes a loss in facial volume as collagen and fat break down over time. This can cause the appearance of creases and wrinkles.
Injectable fillers can be used to fill in lines and folds by replacing the lost volume. The results are subtle, natural, and can have you looking years younger in a single treatment. This is also a temporary solution, but results can last up to a year or more, depending on the patient and the filler used.
Target areas include:
- Cheeks
- Lips
- Chin
- Jawline
- Under-eye area
- Forehead
Ultherapy Skin Lifting
Ultherapy is a new non-surgical procedure that works below the surface of the skin to firm, tighten, and lift. This option employs the use of medical ultrasound technology to deliver low levels of heat to a specific area. This stimulates the growth of new collagen and gives you natural results, which include a sleeker, more defined jawline and tighter skin around the neck and under the chin.
Ultherapy is the only skin rejuvenation procedure that uses ultrasound and works great if your skin has some sagging and is less firm than it used to be.
Multiple treatments will be necessary, but results can be noticeable after one or two treatments. The full effect will build gradually over the course of about 2-3 months.
Your plastic surgeon will be able to determine the number of visits you'll need to accomplish your goals.
There is no downtime and the pain level during the procedure depends on the person. Generally, the experience is no worse than momentary prickling or heat beneath the skin. Annual maintenance may be necessary as your skin continues the aging process.
Target areas include:
- Face
- Upper neck
Laser Skin Treatments
Laser treatment technology is advancing, and you can experience the benefits of this through facial rejuvenation procedures. Laser treatments treat the skin and correct irregularities with the use of focused light energy. Depending on the type of laser treatment, the light energy is either used to stimulate new collagen growth or cause a controlled burn to nurture new, healthy skin to grow.
These treatments are virtually painless, and there is no downtime, but you may need to have a series of treatments to achieve the desired results.
Target areas of the face include:
- Wrinkles
- Large pores
- Uneven skin texture
- Relaxed skin
- Skin irregularities
- Sun damage
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Acne scars
- Rosacea
- And more...
Obagi Treatment
Unlike the previous options, the Obagi® Nu-Derm System is a line of physician tested, pharmaceutical skin care products. As you age, cell turnover rate slows down causing the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and uneven skin tones. You'll notice a loss of natural skin hydration and elasticity. The Obagi products are designed to push new, fresh cells to the surface, correct skin tone and pigmentation, increase collagen and elastin, and hydrate your skin.
As with any skin treatment product, this is not the best option for everyone.
Additionally, you may experience some temporary breakouts or irritations that will subside within a couple of weeks. Positive results are usually seen within the first few weeks, and patients found that Obagi® Nu-Derm is six times more effective than the most commonly recommended over-the-counter skin care products.
Target areas of the face include:
- Wrinkles
- Skin pigmentation
- Uneven skin tones
- Relaxed skin
- Mild to moderate sun damage
Are Non-Surgical Facial Treatments Best For You?
As always, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon you trust. Your doctor will be able to help you choose the best procedure for your specific needs to get results you want.
You don't want to waste your money and time on a product that won't deliver the results you want. You definitely don't want to subject yourself to products that will harm you.
If a traditional facelift is not something you want to consider, ask your plastic surgeon about the non-surgical options that could be a good fit for you.
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