Non-surgical Facelift - What are the Options ?

Over the past few years, we have seen the tide turning against invasive procedures such as the traditional facelift surgery. Knife-based treatments are commonly perceived to be excessive with results that can look too obvious. Haven't we all seen what happens when operations go wrong and been disturbed by pictures of celebrities with overstretched faces ?

Photo : Getty Image

Comedian & TV host Joan Rivers was open about her multiple cosmetic surgeries and often made fun of the frequency with which she went under the knife. She quipped "I wish I had a twin so I could know what I'd look like without plastic surgery."

A visit to the plastic surgeon isn't the only way to improve our looks or turn back the years. Many non-surgical options are available for people who want to look younger and fresher without much recovery time. But does a Non-surgical Facelift provide an actual “lift” ?

The good news is : cutting edge technology now enables a combination of non-surgical procedures using Threads Lifts, Dermal Fillers and Neurotoxins to produce natural skin lifting and in a milder form matches the effects of a lower face and neck lift.


So, how does a Non-surgical Facelift works ?

As we age, our facial support structure weakens, and we lose facial fat. Our face begins to sag and wrinkle. Understanding that our face ages first by volume loss and then by gravity means that both these parameters must be addressed.The effects of tightening the skin alone without correcting underlying soft tissue deficit may result in an unnatural, flat facial appearance.

 We can compare the aging face to a beach ball : time causes the ball to deflate and descend unevenly. Similarly, our face loses volume and develops folds and creases with age. Facial aging generally starts with volume loss - or loss of fatty tissues beginning in the late 30s, followed by the effects of gravity years later.



Combining the benefits of Korean Thread Lift and injectables such as natural Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and Neurotoxins, the Non-surgical Facelift works in two ways - on the skin surface to addresses skin laxity as well as targets deeper tissues to treat facial volume loss.

The Non-surgical Facelift combines a few procedures to addresses multiple signs of aging :

1. Lifting
Small barbs on the threads lift and support the skin which gives the treated area a firmer and tighter appearance with improvement in skin tone as well. In addition, there will be increased local blood circulation, activation of skin repair process and stimulation of collagen formation around the threads, thus prolonging the lifting results. Traditionally made of Polydioxanone (PDO) - the same material used for surgical sutures, most types of threads used in Thread Lifting can be gradually absorbed by the skin.

 

Close up of a suture used in Thread Lift procedure showing the barbs, which are cut into the thread itself. Thread Lift is a non-surgical treatment that offers instant lifting results with minimal recovery time.

2. Volume Replacement
Natural Hyaluronic Acid Fillers subtly fill up deflated cheeks, sunken eyes and deep wrinkles. 
Adding volume and focusing attention to the cheeks and midface enhances the perception of the
 "Beauty Triangle" - an inverted triangle representing a youthful, attractive face characterized by a narrow lower face compared to the upper part of face. 

3. Skin Tightening & Softening of Wrinkles
To further address wrinkles and skin laxity, neurotoxins which be marketed under a variety of names including Botox® or Dysport® may be added according to the condition. When administered by a fully trained physician, neurotoxins in very small quantities can produce consistent, natural and subtle anti-aging results. Neurotoxins relax the muscles it is injected into, causing the overlying skin to smoothen and look more youthful. Its precise effect means that the proceure can be customised to suit each individual personally.


It's important to know that nothing takes the place of a true surgical face-lift if the person has totally lost elasticity in their skin. Non-surgical facelifts emerged recently because many people would like to have facelift-like results, but are either not medically fit to undergo general anaesthesia, afraid of the side effects or unable to afford the long recovery time associated with the standard facelift. The Non-surgical facelift is, perhaps, better considered as a lesser, or preliminary procedure.