What is a Liquid Facelift? | 77 Plastic Surgery
Updated
By Dr. Fan
A liquid facelift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that is designed to combat signs of old age such as:
Wrinkles
Crow’s feet
Marionette lines
Sagging brow
Deep lines
Loose skin under the chin
Liquid facelifts combine Botox with filler treatments in order to naturally lift the face to restore any lost volume and soften the creases or wrinkles you might see with age.
Botox injections relax the muscles that would otherwise respond to emotional displays on the face which inhibits the visibility of lines and wrinkles. The fillers combat issues of sagging skin and volume loss simultaneously.
This comprehensive treatment can be completed as an outpatient procedure in a matter of 30 minutes. It uses only a topical anesthetic to numb skin before the procedure making it safe, effective, and fast.
I. How is a liquid facelift performed?
As a minimally-invasive anti-aging procedure, patients can expect results similar to traditional surgical facelifts, but without the complications and down time.
The first step in a liquid facelift treatment is to disinfect the skin and apply a local or topical anesthetic.
Once the anesthetic has kicked in, the injector will use tiny needles to make a series of injections in the areas of your face that are being treated.
Note: You might want to improve the look of certain areas around the mouth or the eyes, which can be made possible with a series of injections in specific locations.
These two treatments (Botox and Dermal Fillers) work hand-in-hand to subtly lift the skin, smoothing out your wrinkles and your fine lines, while simultaneously providing volume where necessary. This process is very brief and relatively painless.
II. Why do people prefer liquid facelifts?
The fillers in the liquid facelift are designed to add more volume to the skin, in order to achieve a younger appearance. A full facelift pulls the skin back and cuts away some excess skin. For some people, the idea of physical surgery is a bit frightening.
On top of that, surgical facelifts are more permanent, meaning that the results can last much longer. Whereas the results of a liquid facelift last about one year. For some, this means that the non-surgical option is less convenient and costly over the long term, while others prefer the control over their results that injectables give them. They also feel more secure knowing that there is no physical surgery taking place.
Injectables also give the master injector more control over which specific areas are targeted and how much product is used in each area. With a precise specialist, you can achieve a revitalized appearance and gain more confidence without that risk of looking like you had work done, something many people fear when considering surgical procedures.
III. What To Expect After a Liquid Facelift
Depending on the combination of fillers used for your treatment, the results of your liquid facelift can appear immediately or may gradually begin to show 1-2 weeks after treatment.
As with any injection, you may experience redness or swelling at the site of the injection. On occasion, bruising takes place as well.
However, all of these symptoms will typically diminish within one week. At that point, you will appear naturally rejuvenated with a refreshed look on your face.
You should be able to return to work immediately after a liquid facelift, and get back into your daily routine without any down time. The results of this treatment should last for 6 to 12 months.
IV. How to Get the Best Results from a Liquid Facelift
In order to get the best results from your liquid facelift, you should find a master injector. Many people try to save money or cut corners by choosing the cheapest practitioner they can. But working with a master injector will minimize your risks and allow for more long-term results. You don't want to (literally) put your face in the hands of someone who isn't an expert.
It's also important to have realistic expectations. A skillful liquid facelift can remove between 5 and 10 years from your appearance, but there are some limitations to what it can achieve.
Younger patients who don't yet have severe signs of aging, can address mild to moderate wrinkles on the face with a liquid facelift. But, if you have more severe signs of aging such as:
Then you should consider which treatment options might be best suited for all of the signs of aging that you want to combat. If you assume that a liquid facelift will be able to reduce every sign of aging, you might be disappointed with the results.
You will want to account for periodic treatments if you choose to maintain the appearance achieved with a liquid facelift. The results might last for a year but they are still a temporary fix.
V. Liquid Facelift FAQ
You deserve to look and feel your best. The best gift you can give yourself is confidence. Sometimes physical signs of aging, growths, genetics or other changes can detract from that confidence.
Liquid facelifts can help you regain this confidence and your youthful appearance, for an affordable cost, and without the need for surgery. If you are considering a liquid facelift, take a look at these frequently asked questions:
a) Does a liquid facelift require surgery?
There is no invasive surgery with a liquid facelift, like there is with other surgical procedures. Liquid facelifts simply require local anesthesia, and injections from a syringe. No skin needs to be cut, removed, or worked on with surgical tools.
b) Will I look natural?
Your ability to look natural after having a liquid facelift is really based upon the expertise of the plastic surgeon you use for the procedure. Experienced liquid facelift injectors will often apply less than is needed to an area, and have patients come back for additional treatments, rather than chance going overboard, resulting in a strange, unnatural appearance.
c) How long does a liquid facelift last?
The results will not last as long as a traditional facelift, but on average, patients see results for up to 12 months. Typically, as results begin to fade, your old facial appearance will begin to return. In order to get results back, another treatment will be required.
d) Is the procedure painful?
Most patients do not feel the procedure is incredibly painful, not any more so than receiving injections at a doctor's office. Immediately after the procedure, some patients will experience tenderness and swelling in the affected area which typically subsides within one week.
e) What is the recovery of a liquid facelift like?
Recovery is fast. Most patients will not experience any bruising, tenderness, or swelling after one week at most.
f) When will I begin to see results?
The results you see are almost immediate. There is no down time. As soon as the swelling starts to diminish, you will be able to make a final judgment of your results. Within 1 or 2 weeks after the treatment, all swelling should have dissipated and you can enjoy your brand new, beautiful face.
g) How many treatments are needed?
The number of liquid facelift treatments you need is based on a few factors:
- The results you want
- Skill and recommendation of the injector
If you want to target multiple areas of the face, it will require more treatments than targeting a single section. This is something that is best discussed with your plastic surgeon.
h) What will the long term results be like?
Long-term, you will see the improvements in your face almost immediately and results will last between six months in one year. You should be able to return to work and enjoy final results as soon as the swelling goes down. Once the treatments wear off after the maximum one-year mark, your face will start to go back to the way it was and require additional treatments.
i) What are the common risks?
Since there is no surgery in a liquid facelift procedure, the risks are minimal. The most common risk is an allergic reaction to the products used. Note that injectable treatments are very safe and the majority of patients tolerate them quite well.
j) How much does a liquid facelift cost?
The cost of liquid facelift treatments is contingent upon many factors including injections used, the plastic surgeon you choose, the number of treatments that are required, and your location. Overall, liquid facelifts typically cost between $2,000 and $8,000 per session.
VI. Why choose a liquid facelift vs. a traditional surgical facelift?
A liquid facelift uses injectable treatment such as Dysport, Juvederm, Botox, Restylane, and Radiesse. Determining which treatment is right for you mainly depends on the type of results you are looking for, and how long you want them to last.
Some people with minimal damage might simply want to negate the loss of volume in the wrinkles that have manifested with time, but don't need surgical procedures just yet. In such situations, liquid facelifts are a better option. Liquid facelifts are also better for people who only want to target a specific area on the face and not their entire face.
VII. Who is a good candidate for a liquid facelift?
Healthy individuals without severe medical conditions, who simply want to reduce the signs of aging make the best candidates for a liquid facelift.
If you have noticed fine lines, volume loss, or wrinkles around your face a liquid facelift can be used for you too bring back your previous confidence and fight against the signs of aging.
If the changes in your face include a great deal of sagging facial skin and excess fat or hollowed features, you might want to consider alternative treatments.
VIII. Taking the Next Steps: Speaking With a Professional
If you are considering a liquid facelift, one of the best things that you can do is speak with an expert cosmetic surgeon who specializes in this type of treatment in order to learn more about:
Your options
Results you can expect
If you are qualified for treatment
Recommended treatment for you
What steps to take next
In order to take the next steps towards speaking with a professional, take our liquid facelift self evaluation to learn if this procedure is right for you.
Once you have done this, reach out to us at 77 Plastic Surgery in order to schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Larry Fan - voted one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons for over 10 years in a row.
