Posted June 14, 2022 in Facelift, Injectables
4 Minute Read:
Many women and men are afraid of invasive surgery, and that makes complete sense. The thought of anesthesia, incisions, and recovery can be daunting, to say the least.
Additionally, the cost of dermal filler and other injectable treatments is much less than plastic surgery procedures (at least initially).
It is for these reasons that many patients choose minimally invasive options, like dermal fillers and injectable treatments, over surgical procedures. In fact, in 2020, there were over 13,000,000 minimally invasive procedures performed, while only 2,300,000 cosmetic surgical procedures.
The face is the area of the body most commonly treated with dermal fillers and other injectables.
But the question that needs to be asked is: Which is the better choice for facial correction, injectables or facelift surgery?
Below, you will find the answer to that question, along with information to consider as you begin planning your own cosmetic journey.
Why Would I Want to Consider a Facial Procedure?
As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the health, strength, and elastic quality of our skin.
When this happens, wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear, and our skin begins to become loose, causing it to sag.
However, the good news is that skin laxity on the face, including the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, can be corrected with non-surgical cosmetic treatments or plastic surgery.
What Exactly Are Injectable Treatments and Dermal Fillers?
Injectable treatments are exactly what they sound like. A solution is injected into your skin to help treat various issues, such as skin laxity and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Some of the most popular injectable treatments are known as neuromodulators. These products, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, and XEOMIN®, all have botulinum toxin A as an active ingredient, which temporarily paralyzes the neuromuscular system in the injected area.
Essentially, these treatments work by relaxing the injected muscles in the face to relieve tension in the skin (which causes wrinkles and fine lines).
While dermal fillers are also applied through injections, these treatments actually inject a gel-like substance in the skin to help fill areas of the face where volume loss has occurred.
This helps to plump the area beneath the skin while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. One of the active ingredients in many dermal fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), which is found in JUVÉDERM® products, BELOTERO BALANCE®, and Restylane® products.
Another common dermal filler is Sculptra® Aesthetic, which uses poly-L-lactic acid to give patients a more youthful and smoother complexion.
How Is a Facelift Performed?
Facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure in which the underlying muscles and tissue of the face are tightened and repositioned, excess and sagging skin is surgically removed, and the remaining facial skin is tightened.
With this procedure, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines are reduced and loose, sagging skin is tightened.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of These Options?
There is no getting around the fact that dermal fillers and injectable treatments cost much less (per treatment) than plastic surgery procedures (such as facelift surgery).
These minimally invasive treatments do offer dynamic rejuvenation to the face, and they are safe to use. Additionally, dermal fillers and injectable treatments are much less involved than plastic surgery (a few injections from a syringe rather than invasive incisions).
However, the results from dermal fillers and injectables last only a few months before the patient needs to have additional, maintenance treatments. So, while the initial cost of dermal fillers and injectables is less than a facelift, the overall cost can quickly add up and be more than plastic surgery alternatives.
Facelift surgery, while daunting to think about, offers long-lasting results (meaning that you only need one procedure). The results from a facelift are also more dynamic and extensive than with dermal fillers and injectables.
This is simply because more correction is happening, and it is all being done under the surface of your skin.
Something else to think about is that dermal fillers and injectables, while effective, cannot get rid of mild to severe skin laxity. The only way to treat substantial sagging skin on the face and neck is by removing it, which can only be done with facelift surgery or neck lift surgery.
So, In the End…
While you may have to face the fear of incisions, minimal scarring, and a recovery time with plastic surgery, a facelift can offer you a more comprehensive and lower-overall cost correction to your facial issues.
Interested in Learning More?
To learn more about the benefits of facelift surgery or to ask questions about dermal fillers and injectables, please call Dr. Ghere at (225) 412-4774 or schedule a consultation with us online today!