Pros and Cons of Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Face Lifts

Age creeps up on everybody. So at some point, you may consider getting that facelift or non-surgical facial treatment from a plastic surgeon. Most people think about getting a facelift in their late forties or early fifties…

Age creeps up on everybody. So at some point, you may consider getting that facelift or non-surgical facial treatment from a plastic surgeon. Most people think about getting a facelift in their late forties or early fifties. Around that age, facial features undergo a significant change, due to volume loss, as well as loss of fat in the cheeks. This results in deeper “smile lines” that run from the nose to the mouth. Also, this is often a drooping effect that continues down to the jowls, which changes the appearance of the face. The good news is, there are surgical versus non-surgical facelifts available as treatments. In this article, we’ll talk about what these are, as well as some of the pros and cons. What is a surgical facelift? The traditional or surgical facelift is also called a Rhytidectomy. This is performed to reposition the soft tissues of the mid and lower face and neck into a more youthful and refreshed contour. Facelifts address several problems areas including sagging cheeks and the deep creases between them and the lips; drooping jowls that muddy a crisp jawline, and excess skin and fat on the neck. What is a non-surgical facelift? With a wide range of non-surgical facelift techniques available, patients are increasingly opting for these. These non-surgical techniques include Botox treatments, Dermal fillers, Fat transfer, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Ultrasound, Laser treatments, Kybella, and Laser lifts. A non-surgical technique called “liquid facelift” is very popular. This is a combination of well-placed dermal fillers, as well as Botox resulting in a facelift effect without the need for anesthesia or surgery. Pros of Surgical Facelifts A traditional, surgical facelift can turn back the clock on your appearance in several different ways. These are some of the pros of surgical facelifts:

• They tighten facial muscles: The underlying structures of your face tend to weaken and sag with age. Before repairing this loose skin, your plastic surgeon will tighten this underlying structure into a better configuration. This process puts less tension on your skin and helps the result of your facelift last longer.
• They repair loose skin: Your plastic surgeon will trim and tighten your sagging skin to ensure a more youthful and natural look. However, your surgeon will ensure that your skin is not pulled too tight, as that this can result in a “pulled” appearance.
• They improve facial contours: If you opt for a mid facelift, this will result in a smoother look to the cheeks and lower eyelids. A lower facelift, on the other hand, results in a more attractive jawline contour, getting rid of jowls and smoothing out the neck area.
• The effect lasts for many years and is increasingly affordable: The effects of a surgical facelift can last for up to ten years. Moreover, it is an affordable procedure, which causes minimal pain and discomfort. Also, it requires limited recovery time after the procedure is done.

Cons of Surgical Facelifts Here are the cons of surgical facelifts:

• Recovery time: With today’s modern facelift procedures recovery has been reduced greatly, however, there is still some recovery time needed.
• Aftercare: Surgical facelifts require some amount of aftercare on the patients part – typically for the first few days after surgery.
• Cost: Although facelifts are becoming increasingly affordable, there are more expensive than non-surgical treatments.
• Risk of Surgery: As with any type of surgery, there is some level of inherent risk. However well-trained plastic surgeons are adept at minimizing these risks.

Pros of Non-Surgical Facelifts Non-surgical facelifts offer a wide variety of benefits. Here are some of the pros of non-surgical facelifts:

• They are more cost-effective-at least in the near term: If money is an issue, a non-surgical facelift can offer good value for the money.
• There is no serious pain involved: With a non-surgical facelift, there is minimal discomfort and pain experienced by the patient throughout the treatment. This is good news for those who are nervous about such procedures.
• The procedure time is short: With a non-surgical facelift, there is no anesthesia or other medication involved, and so these procedures can be completed within an hour. However, each patient is different and so the procedure time may vary for each patient.
• They result in a naturally rejuvenated look: In a non-surgical facelift, the skin is not cut or pulled tight but is usually plumped and volumized, which gives the facial features and skin a more youthful look.
• The recovery time is minimal: With non-surgical facelifts, there is minimum time needed for the patient to take off work or other necessary activities and tasks. The recovery time is also minimal, as opposed to a traditional surgical facelift. In fact, after a non-surgical facelift, you can be back at work in no time!
• The aftercare is also minimal: Also, the aftercare involved after a non-surgical facelift is minimal. Discomfort is relatively short-lived and can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
• There are fewer risks involved: Even if a surgical facelift is carried out with the utmost care, there could be risks such as infection and complications from anesthesia. A non-surgical facelift bypasses all these risks and gives you great peace of mind.

Cons of Non-Surgical Facelifts While the benefits of a non-surgical facelift are many, there are certain disadvantages as well. Some of them are:

• There is a need for regular touch-ups: The injectables used are absorbed by the body over a period of time, which means that there would be a need for regular touch-ups to maintain the obtained results.
• There are added costs over a period of time: Although a non-surgical facelift is relatively cost-effective, the result may only last for about 6 months to a year. This results in the need for added costs for touch-ups. This could make non-surgical facelifts as or more expensive than traditional surgical facelifts in the long run.

Depending on the age of the person and the circumstances, they may not be as effective as a surgical facelift procedure. These are just some facts about surgical versus non-surgical facelifts. At the Aesthetic Surgery Centre & MedSpa, we specialize in both surgical and non-surgical facelifts. Our qualified plastic surgeons have many years of experience among them and will work with you to prescribe the best facelift procedure for you. So, the next time you’re thinking of going for a surgical or non-surgical facelift, or any other plastic surgery procedure, consult with some of the best plastic surgeons in Seattle and Tacoma at the Aesthetic Surgery Centre & MedSpa. We are here to help your natural beauty shine through.