As we age, we lose substance and fullness of the supporting structures of the face. This causes the skin to sag over decreased muscle, fat, and bone. A surgical facelift can pull this skin taut again, but is a more radical solution. It also carries the risks of surgery, scarring, increased downtime, and higher costs.
An alternative to traditional facelift surgery is the use of Botox and injectable dermal fillers, such as Radiesse. These fillers last a year or more and can be injected to build up cheekbones and other facial prominences, as well as to fill in depressions that have formed. Botox can be used for lifting by inactivating muscles that exert downward pull, such as the crow’s feet muscles. This results in a rejuvenating effect as the skin now lies over a fuller support structure.
Other treatments that complement fillers and Botox are aimed at the color and texture of the skin. Chemical peels, such as the Vi Peel, are great for smoothing out texture and stimulating collagen remodeling of the skin. IPL Photofacials are very good for discoloration, including that due to sun exposure.
Using the multi-modality treatment, it is possible to achieve significant rejuvenation and lifting without resorting immediately to formal surgery. There is always time to get surgery but most people agree that one should postpone it with the use of nonivasive treatments.
