Non Surgical Facelifts

If you’re beginning to see the signs of ageing - crows feet, fine lines, sun damage and more - you don’t necessarily have to jump into the surgeon’s chair to have smoother, more supple skin. Non-surgical facelifts are now common practice among many cosmetic surgeons and beauty clinics, and some show truly amazing results.

What is a non-surgical face lift?

As the name suggests a non-surgical facelift is a treatment for ageing skin that does not include any surgical procedures, as do traditional facelifts. In other words, there are no scalpels involved!

There is a huge variety of treatments to choose from: botox injections, laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenation, Intense Pulse Light therapy, radiofrequency (RF) technology, chemical peels, cosmeseutical skin care creams and much more. Because they are non-surgical, there is usually little or no downtime, and can be very good value for money.

What is involved with a non-surgical facelift?

When choosing a non-surgical facelift, it’s helpful to know how treatments vary and what you can expect in terms of preparation and post-treatment care.

For instance, if you opt for a RF session, you will only need one treatment, which, while perhaps more expensive than a one-off botox session, will probably be better value for money in the long term. Laser therapy, on the other hand, might require more downtime, depending on the level of damage to be repaired.

There is a huge array of creams and peels available that can also improve the appearance of your skin. While most will proclaim to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, some are more effective than others. If you do want to go down this road, be prepared to have a dedication to the regime prescribed for best results.

Botox injections are very popular, especially for people who want to reduce the appearance of forehead lines and crows feet. These are not permanent changes, so you will have to repeat the process once every few months, and therefore keep forking out for the treatments too.

What techniques & treatments are used for non surgical face lifts?

RF treatments work by sending heat into the deep, subcutaneous layer under the skin, stimulating collagen production within the layer above (the dermis). Only one treatment is required, and results improve over time. Many people have seen great results from RF treatments, reporting smoother, tighter skin.

Laser treatments have been very popular for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Although the laser does not penetrate into the subcutaneous layer like the RF treatments do, it does stimulate collagen production, improving the overall plumpness of the skin. Some professionals will suggest a series of milder treatments, which require little or no recovery time, while others might suggest a one-off, stronger treatment, which might require a week off work afterwards.

IPL (Intense Pulse Light) treatments are gaining popularity because it treats a range of skin conditions simultaneously: uneven skin pigmentation, scarring, and broken capillaries, while at the same time rejuvenating the skin. IPL treatments are very safe and there is no downtime at all.

Botox is one of the most popular and yet controversial non-surgical treatments available. While there has been a lot of success with this bacterium, which is purified Botulinum toxin, there have also been cases where the injection has missed the mark and caused paralysis. Although extremely rare, care should be taken to ensure the injections are performed by a qualified and experienced professional.

If you decide to go with a good skin care range, then it is best to choose one with alpha-hydroxy acids and antioxidants, and follow the regime carefully, giving it enough time to work. If you are unsure about which product to choose, it’s best to contact a professional, such as a cosmetic surgeon or beauty therapist, that carries a professional range of skin care and can match the right products for your skin.

What are the benefits of a non surgical vs surgical face lift?

The greatest benefit to a non-surgical facelift is the fact that these are not invasive treatments that require long recovery times and a hefty bank balance. At the same time, the more traditional surgical facelift is coming of age, with new keyhole surgery procedures being developed that not only reduce the recovery time, but also eliminate the telltale scarring.

What’s right for you depends not only on your budget, but also how comfortable you are with the treatments available. Every professional offering treatments should be more than happy to answer any of your questions – if they’re not, move on to one who is.