Is It Possible To Get A Facelift Without Surgery? (The Truth Revealed)

For years, facelifts have been used by patients as a surgical means of tightening the skin around the face in order to gain a more youthful appearance. 

However, in the last decade, many advancements have been made that now allow for people to obtain the same results as a facelift with a few non-surgical procedures. 

So, yes, you can get a facelift without surgery. And the results are actually quite impressive! 

In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about non-surgical facelifts, including: 

• The types of treatments available 
• How they work 
• What kind of results to expect 
• Which non-surgical facelift procedures are the best 
• How much facelifts without surgery cost 
• Taking the next steps 

Let's jump right in! 

I. Types of Non-Surgical Facelift Alternatives

If you are considering a non-surgical facelift alternative, there are a handful of treatments at your disposal. Each type of non-invasive facelift is intended to address specific areas of the face and issues related to aging.

Depending on your goals, a certain type may be best for you. Let's take some time to learn a bit more about each of these options. 

1. Liquid Facelifts

A liquid facelift is performed with dermal fillers. The purpose of this treatment is to replace any lost volume in the face while simultaneously stimulating the growth of new collagen in the body.

This process provides a subtle lifting affect. It is incredibly safe, non invasive, with no down time, which means you can come in one day for the treatment and go back to work the next.

Typically, results from liquid facelifts last about 1 year, requiring patients who desire long lasting results to return for additional treatments on an annual basis. 

Liquid facelifts are a great solution for anyone who is looking to: 

• Reduce wrinkles 
• Add volume 
• Look younger without surgery 
• Get rid of sagging skin 

Botox can also be considered a type of liquid facelift, as it is a common type of injectable filler which can be used to help fight the signs of an aging face. 

2. Energy Based Skin Tightening Treatments

Energy based skin tightening treatments are non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments designed to firm and tighten the skin using advanced forms of energy such as ultrasound (US), radiofrequency (RF), laser, and infrared light (IR).

a) Ultherapy Treatments 

Ultherapy treatments rely upon different types of energy such as ultrasound energy, infrared light, and radio frequency in order to tighten the skin. These procedures are simple, in-office procedures that have no down time.

They are affordable, especially compared to surgical procedures. They are also comfortable treatments that are safe and have minimal side effects.

For many individuals, there is a limited amount of discomfort. But, the ability to walk into the doctor's office, undergo the procedure, and leave with relatively limited pain or side effects is very appealing.

b) Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light Treatments are a non-invasive treatment that helps to tighten the skin, through heating up lower layers of skin, causing them to trigger healing processes. This allows the top layers of skin to slowly remove themselves, bringing brighter, tighter, and smoother skin from below, to the surface. 

This treatment also causes cells to naturally begin collagen production, which stops at a certain age, making it one of the leading contributors to sagging, hollow skin. 

Much like Ultherapy, IPL treatments are quick, in-patient procedures that can be performed in an hour or less, with very little pain, and no down time. They are affordable, though results tend to take longer and be more mild than some other, more invasive treatments such as liquid facelifts. 

3. Skin Resurfacing Procedures

Skin procedures rejuvenate and restore lost health to your skin. There are many options available to you to treat things like:

• Broken capillaries
• Age spots
• Sun spots
• Fine lines
• Acne scars
• Wrinkles
• And more

In order to treat all of these common signs of aging in the face, there are many different types of skin resurfacing procedures that offer similar results to surgical facelifts. Some of the most common and effective treatments include:

a) Kybella 

Kybella is a non-surgical treatment that is designed to be an alternative to a necklift. Typically speaking, a series of 2-6 treatments are administered through injections in the neck. These treatments must be separated by at least one month, so this treatment is a bit of a long term investment when compared with some of the other non-surgical facelift options. 

This treatment is designed to lift the skin in the neck, reducing wrinkles, excess skin, and adding volume. Results are usually permanent, as the Kybella injection is comprised of deoxycholic acid, which is a nturally occuring molecule in the body responsible for the breakdown of fat. 

b) Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are one of the most common non-surgical facelift alternatives because of their effectiveness and safety. The procedure uses a chemical solution to similarly remove surface layers of the skin so that the younger skin underneath can replace it.

Depending on the needs and wants of the patient, both deep and light chemical peel treatments exist. Light chemical peels usually consist of chemical concoctions including: 

• Glycolic acid
• Alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), salicylic acid
• Fruit enzymes
• Or a low concentration of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

While deep chemical peels usually rely on: 

• Phenol peels
• Stronger TCA peels
• Croton oil

Chemical peels are very effective, and also safe. The results can last a year or more, depending on how well you take care of your skin, what type of environment you are exposed to, and how fast your body regenerates skin cells.

c) Laser Skin Resurfacing 

Laser skin resurfacing is similar to chemical peels in terms of process and results. In this type of treatment, high energy lasers are used to kill off skin cells on the surface, bringing forward new ones from layers below.

These non-surgical facelift treatments can be both ablative, and non-ablative.  Ablative treatments target the top layers of skin, while non-ablative ones target middle and deep layers of skin. Both procedures trigger your body to produce more elastin and collagen - two of the main ingredients responsible for youthful skin. 

Laser skin resurfacing treatments are a great alternative to surgical facelifts, and can be highly effective when working with a trained and experienced professional. Like the other treatments in this category, they are very minimally invasive, causing hardly any pain, and requiring no recovery time. 

d) Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion and Mircrodermabrasion are similar treatments to laser skin resurfacing, designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin cells in the face. It involves the use of a very fine tool, which blasts microscopic particles at your skin in order to remove the top layers, and stimulate lower layers to come forward, and begin collagen production. 

This type of non-surgical facelift alternative is best for treating: 

• Enlarged pores
• Mild to moderate acne scarring
• Dry skin
• Dull skin
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation issues such as sunspots or age spots

The difference between the two treatments is that dermabrasion is used for deeper cells, while microdermabrasion targets top layers of skin. Dermabrasion is best for deep lines, scars, and longer lasting, more sever skin damage. 

e) Microneedling 

Microneedling is a non-surgical alternative to faclifts that uses tiny, sterile needles to continually puncture the skin, in order to:

• Promote collagen production
• Open the pores 
• Remove toxins
• Treat stretched skin
• Address pigment issues

This is one of the least invasive procedures you can choose, and also has little to no down time, pain, or side effects. Typically, this procedure can be as quick as 30 minutes, and can show results in just a day or so. 

II. Do Non Surgical Facelifts Work?

Yes, non-surgical facelifts do work. However, there are caveats to the effectiveness and the longevity.

Nonsurgical facelifts can help you to look at approximately 5-10  years younger. They have the capability to lift your skin, fill your skin, and repair the skin.

However, there are limits to how much they are able to help. They are most effective when used in combination with surgical treatments, because surgical facelifts set the bar for high-end results with which non-surgical treatments simply cannot compete.

The results of non-surgical facelifts might show faster, with reduced recovery time but they also diminish quickly and are not permanent. Most non-surgical treatments offer results lasting between 1-2 years, meaning that patients who desire more long term effects may be better off with a surgical procedure. 

Surgical facelifts take slightly longer for recovery, but the results are long lasting. Over time, the cost of receiving additional non-surgical facelift treatments can add up to cost much more than a surgical facelift.

III. What is the Best Non-Surgical Facelift Procedure?

Each person is different, as is each face. The best non-surgical facelift procedure for you is contingent upon your current condition, and the look you want to achieve from treatment. The table below compares non-surgical facelift procedures to help you identify which is best for your needs:

1. Who Are Liquid Facelifts Best For? 

Liquid facelifts are best for those who want to treat very specific regions of the face, or who want to get the results of a facelift without having to undergo surgery. They are a great way to address the signs of aging in the face, and offer the ability to take a customized approach to treatment. 

They are best for addressing problems like: 

• Wrinkles 
• Deep lines 
• Crow's feet 
• Smile lines 
• Loss of volume 
• Sagging facial features 

2. Who Is Volume Replacement Best For? 

Volume replacement is a good option for people who have lost volume in their face as a result of aging and want to improve the quality of their skin. Everyone deserves to look and feel their best but not everyone is willing or able to undergo an invasive, surgical procedure to restore lost volume which is why volume replacement procedures are so useful.

These are best for people who are specifically looking to treat things like:

• Sagging skin 
• Hollow cheek bones 
• Sagging under eyes 
• Hollow eyes

Volume replacement is a good alternative for people who are looking for a more natural way to obtain non-surgical facelift results, and might be apprehensive about using fillers. 

3. Who Are Energy Based Treatments Best For? 

Energy based skin tightening procedures are ideal for those who have mild to moderate loose skin around the face or the neck. These procedures can even be used on the arms or the abdomen.

If you have had an operative procedure which resulted in residual skin laxity, this treatment is a great solution. It will improve the quality of your skin and is a good alternative for people who are unable or unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure in order to correct the skin laxity.

These types of treatments are best for people who want to combat: 

• Loose skin around the face and neck 
• Sagging skin 
• Scars and age spots 
• Sun damage 

4. Who Is Skin Resurfacing Best For? 

Skin resurfacing procedures are a great choice for people whose skin is starting to show signs of aging or sun damage. People who want to improve the health and quality of their skin can opt for a simple skin resurfacing.

This treatment is recommended for people who: 

• Want healthier skin 
• Are just beginning to see signs of aging 
• Are willing to commit to a regular treatment regimen 
• Want to increase elastin and collagen production 

These treatments have more moderate results than some of the other types of non-surgical facelift procedures, but also are very safe, and affordable, with very little down time. Most people who choose this type of treatment are looking to get rid of scars or skin damage from the past. 

5. Who Is Botox Best For? 

Botox is best suited for those who want to remove mild-to-moderate lines or wrinkles on their face and are willing to undergo regular maintenance treatments. This type of non-invasive facelift offers a solution that typically lasts for about one year before needing additional treatments. 

This type of treatment is best for people who are looking to: 

• Treat wrinkles in the forehead and cheeks
• Reduce sagging on the neck and below the eyes 
• Get rid of marionette lines and other facial lines 

Botox is a non-permanent solution, but like liquid facelifts, offers the ability to really customize the way you look, and allow you control over which parts of your face get which type of treatment. 

IV. How Much Does A Non-Surgical Facelift Cost?

The cost for non-surgical facelifts depends upon a few factors such as:

• Where you are located
• Surgeon's skill and qualifications 
• Which procedure you choose

Below are the average costs in the United States for the different types of non-surgical facelifts: 

V. Finding the Best Doctor for Your Non-Surgical Facelift Procedures  

When it comes to getting a non-surgical facelift, everyone wants to get the best results possible. As a result, the doctor you choose is the most important step in the whole process. Choosing right will help ensure the best possible results - restoring beauty and confidence back to your life. 

If you are looking for the best non-surgical facelift procedures in California, 77 Plastic Surgery has exactly what you are looking for. 

My name is Dr. Larry Fan, and I have been voted one of America's Top Plastic Surgeons 10 years in a row. During my time as a master injector, I have helped hundreds of patients get the exact results they are looking for. 

If you are serious about getting the best results possible from your non-surgical facelift procedure, take our self evaluation in order to learn more about which treatment is best for you. 

Once you have done this, you can contact me directly, for a one-on-one appointment, in which I will help you uncover: 

• Which treatment is best for you 
• How to get the best results 
• What you can expect to pay 
• And what the next steps are 

You deserve the looks you have always wanted. Don't take a chance on a mediocre plastic surgeon. Get world class treatment from a world class doctor, and get your confidence back today!