What is a non-surgical facelift?

A non-surgical facelift might sound like a contradiction in terms, a facelift seems to imply surgery, but in fact it is a procedure – or group of procedures – that has grown immensely in popularity.

A non-surgical facelift can have benefits in its own right and also in comparison to a facelift that requires extensive surgery and recovery.

In this post, we will answer all the key questions relating to non-surgical facelifts. You will gain knowledge of what they are, the procedures that make up this option, recovery time and also how long the enhancements will last for.

Non-Surgical Facelift – A Collection of Treatments

It is best to think of a non-surgical facelift as a series of minor, minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures and treatments.

The combination of treatment will vary by person, the results they hope to achieve and the advice of the cosmetic doctor, but there are options that are common to most of these facelifts.

The Elements That Constitute A Minimally Invasive Facelift

The two most common elements are dermal fillers and botox – two procedures that have different purposes but are often confused. We outlined the differences in detail in a recent post.

It is worth noting that anyone considering a non-surgical facelift does not need to know which lines would be better suited to fillers, which to botox and which might be better tackled in yet another way.

Your cosmetic doctor will supply that level of expertise and talk you through the planned treatments.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are gel injectables that act to fill in creases, lines and wrinkles – they can also fill in acne scars and other skin blemishes.

They essentially fill in from inside, smoothing out skin and wrinkles. There are different filler available, but the option chosen by most of the UK’s leading practitioners is Hyaluronic Acid, this a substance that occurs naturally in the body. 

These injections help to stimulate collagen creation this counteracting the signs of ageing as it is collagen levels that deplete the older we get.

Dermal fillers can address the following – this list far from exhaustive:

• Smile lines
• Lip lines
• Nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines)
• A lack of jawline definition and jowl softening
• Deep folds and wrinkles
• Sunken cheeks
• Augment the lips
• Enhance the cheekbones
• Remodel the chin
• Reshape the nose

As the list shows, dermal fillers can address multiple areas of concern on the face yet with injection that are quick to perform and typically have no side effect beyond short-lived mild swelling.

Botox

Botox is the common name for botulinum toxin – as the name implies this is a mild toxin and so works in a very different way to fillers.

Wheres fillers are most typically used for smoothing out lines, wrinkles and creases that exist even when the face is at rest, botox tackles the dynamic lines, for instance the creases caused by smiling.

Botox works by blocking the nerve signals in muscles, relaxing them and so reducing the appearance of lines in the targeted area as the face moves.

Botox is commonly used for treating everything from frown lines, crow’s feet and bunny lines to neck lines, marionette lines, nasal lines and eye wrinkles.

Skin Radiance

Fillers and botox both work to smooth the skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles, creases and other signs of ageing.

There are other treatments that can greatly improve skin radiance, many of these work to remove older, dead layers of skin and encourage the growth of new cells, these naturally making the skin look re-energised.

A chemical peel can reduce large pores and smooth the skin while Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion exfoliate.

A session of laser skin resurfacing is also a hugely popular treatment, these can reach deep layers and encourage the generation of new skin, leading to long term benefits.

Modern laser skin resurfacing using technology such as UltraPulse is much faster than standard CO2 options, deeper layers are targeted rather than the surface and so better results are possible with greatly reduced risk of scarring.

Non-surgical facelifts – so many options!

The range of options can be confusing – how are people supposed to know if they need dermal fillers, or botox, or skin peels or laser skin resurfacing.

The truth is you do not need to be an expert in every form of treatment if you work with an experienced practitioner. If you outline the results you want to achieve, they can advise and state which treatments would be most suitable.

Many cosmetic doctors also regularly use groups of treatments together – an example is that Doctor Nyla performs a hugely popular Cheshire Facelift.

The Cheshire Facelift comprises eight treatments, it restores volume and rejuvenates in these strategic areas, these including cheekbones, mouth corners and the jawline.

A group of treatments such as this can be a great starting point – it may be that an individual patient does not require all eight, alternatively an additional treatment might be beneficial but it provides a good starting point for consultation with a doctor.

Benefits of a Non-Surgical Facelift

Non-surgical facelifts have the following benefits

• They quickly produce noticeable results.Some treatments have instant results, some will take a few days or week, but these are treatments whereby the benefits are quickly visible
• The treatments are affordable.Great results can be achieved for a few hundred pounds. A range of treatments to improve multiple areas will cost a little more, but the cost is low compared to a surgical facelift
• No lengthy recovery period.A facelift that involves surgery will require general anaesthetic and lengthy recovery time, potentially with substantial time off work. Non-surgical treatments do not have this downside.
• Stress free results.There are many fine cosmetic surgeons, but if you read the reviews for even the very best you will see that some clients were left unhappy with results. This is because any surgery can lead to results that are not as expected – it is possible to spend thousands on a facelift and be left unhappy with the results.With non-surgical facelifts, you can start off small and see how you like the results, potentially then having further treatments.The fact results are not permanent is an advantage, they last for a god period of time but can be adjusted to counteract further signs of ageing.

Non-surgical facelifts and the long term

Non-surgical facelifts do not produce results that last forever, some treatments have results that last for around six months, others for a lengthy period, for instance the impact of dermal fillers can last 18 months.

To maintain results it will be necessary to have follow-up treatments, though this is to be expected as we continue to age – any treatment that lasted forever would likely produce results that looked increasingly unrealistic as the person aged.

It is also worth noting that many treatments will only require a top-up, for instance fillers stimulate collagen creation, this will continue and so future injections may not need to have as much Hyaluronic Acid as the initial dose.

If you opt for a treatment such as the Cheshire Facelift, rather than have all eight areas tackled anew in two years’ time, you would simply have small additional treatments to each area as required. 

Once you have found a cosmetic doctor you trust, these will be easy to book in – you will develop a relationship and they can help you keep on top of the signs of ageing.

A non-surgical facelift will not stop all ageing, what it can do is reduce the impact of ageing and produce stunning results that are vibrant but natural.

Non-Surgical Facelifts – The Importance of a Consultation

A non-surgical facelift is not simply going to an unregulated beautician and having a few dermal fillers, it is a carefully selected package of treatments that work to counter your specific signs of ageing.

A consultation with a qualified, trusted cosmetic doctor is essential – they can talk you through the results achievable, the treatments required and create a bespoke package.

Take the time to find a practitioner you feel comfortable with, one who understands you and inspires confidence.

About Dr Nyla

Dr Nyla is one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the UK – she is trusted by many high-profile clients and her expertise makes her someone that media publications regularly seek an opinion from.

Her cosmetic clinic is the largest outside London and also the only Diamond Clinic outside the capital.

Dr Nyla’s clinic won Top Cosmetic Clinic Award in the UK for 2019.

Her testimonials are universally positive and her reviews on the independent TrustPilot site outstanding.

If you would like to arrange a consultation, or simply want further advice please contact us today. Call us on 0800 009 6661 or use the Contact Form.