A fairly common scenario plays out when a person concerned about facial aging comes in for a consultation.
“Do you think I can get the results I want without a facelift?” The answer is often, “Absolutely.”
That’s because today’s nonsurgical facelift techniques—especially injectable treatments—can produce remarkable rejuvenation for the right patients. Sometimes called a liquid facelift, this approach combines dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic to smooth wrinkles, restore volume, and refresh your appearance without surgery or significant downtime.
Determining if someone is better served by a surgical facelift or a minimally invasive treatment involves examining the condition of their skin and discussing their aesthetic goals. It’s understandable that patients prefer less-invasive options, and our board-certified plastic surgeons are always honest when they assess whether a liquid facelift will provide the desired results.
How a Facelift Differs From a Nonsurgical Facelift
Understanding the differences between surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation can help you make a confident, informed decision about your care.
What a Surgical Facelift Does
A facelift addresses concerns in the lower two-thirds of the face, including sagging skin along the cheeks and jawline. During surgery, the surgeon actually lifts and repositions the underlying tissue and muscle and removes excess skin to create a natural-looking transformation.
Why Some Patients Choose a Nonsurgical Approach
The results of a surgical facelift last much longer than injectable treatments, but the cost and recovery time are greater. Dermal fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic are less expensive than a facelift and require little to no downtime, yet they can produce excellent, natural-looking results for people whose skin still retains much of its elasticity. In fact, these injectable products are among the most popular nonsurgical facelift options, not only at our Houston plastic surgery practice but also worldwide.
What To Expect From a Liquid Facelift
A liquid facelift combines injectable dermal fillers and neuromodulators, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, to smooth wrinkles, restore youthful contours, and refresh your appearance, without the need for surgery or significant downtime. Each product works differently, targeting specific layers of the face to create natural, balanced rejuvenation.
Below are some of the most common injectables used in a liquid facelift and how they can enhance your appearance.
JUVÉDERM®
Like many fillers, the JUVÉDERM family of products uses hyaluronic acid (HA) to help plump and hydrate the skin. HA occurs naturally in the body but diminishes as we age, contributing to wrinkles and volume loss.
JUVÉDERM fillers have a smooth, gel-like consistency and are excellent for treating nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth and chin. Certain formulations can also add definition to the cheeks and lips for a subtly lifted look.
RADIESSE®
RADIESSE is a thicker, calcium-based filler that provides both structure and stimulation. Made of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a water-based gel, it immediately adds volume while also promoting new collagen formation.
We often recommend RADIESSE for smoothing jawline contours, enhancing chin projection, or improving deep wrinkles and folds. Its firm texture makes it ideal for restoring definition to the lower face.
Restylane®
The Restylane line of fillers also uses hyaluronic acid to reduce lines and enhance volume. Products such as Restylane® Silk feature smaller particles for precision work in delicate areas like the lips and fine lines around the mouth. Other formulations are well suited for treating nasolabial folds and improving overall skin smoothness and hydration.
BOTOX Cosmetic
Unlike fillers, BOTOX Cosmetic works by temporarily relaxing the tiny muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles—those creases that form with repeated facial expressions. It’s especially effective for crow’s feet, frown lines between the brows, and horizontal forehead lines.
Longevity and Maintenance
Results from a liquid facelift vary depending on the products used, treatment areas, and your body’s natural metabolism.
- Fillers generally last 6 months to 2 years, depending on the formulation.
- BOTOX results last about 3 to 4 months.
With regular maintenance treatments, patients can preserve smooth, youthful-looking skin for several years. Many choose to extend their results with ThermiSmooth® sessions to gently tighten skin or microneedling treatments to stimulate collagen renewal between injectable visits. Eventually, however, as the skin loses elasticity, a surgical facelift may become the more effective long-term solution.
Discover Your Best Approach
A liquid facelift can restore confidence and rejuvenate your appearance with minimal interruption to your routine. The best way to determine which products and techniques will work for you is to request a consultation online or call us at (281) 282-9555 to meet with our team.
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