Meta description: Is it possible to achieve an age-defying complexion without surgery? This blog post discusses the non-surgical face lift and how it matches up to the traditional surgical option.
Cosmetic procedures used to mean anaesthesia, an operating table, and months of recovery. Now, getting ‘work’ done has become much more commonplace, and everyone from celebrities to the everyday woman are sporting smooth, wrinkle-free faces. But is it really possible to achieve these age-defying results without surgery? This blog post discusses the non-surgical face lift and how it matches up to the traditional surgical option.
Why the face lift fell out of fashion
The face lift, once the celebrity secret to eternal youth, no longer appears on the American Society for Plastic Surgeons’ list of most asked-for cosmetic treatments. However, this doesn’t mean that women have decided to surrender themselves to the wrinkling, sagging and thinning of the ageing process. Instead, the most asked-for treatments now include far less invasive procedures such as injectables.
One of the reasons that traditional face lifts now feel so outdated, is because there are now a wide range of non-surgical procedures like Ellanse’ as collagen stimulator, Profhilo as skin booster, hyaluronic acid fillers for volume loss, muscle relaxants to smooth out expression lines, that boast far shorter recovery times and longer-lasting results. There’s no longer much of a need to go under the knife now that there’s so many ways to look younger without surgery. One of these innovative alternatives to the traditional face lift is the non-surgical face lift.
The non-surgical face lift or liquid face lift is the perfect solution for those that want to look younger, but are not prepared to have major surgery to do so. This kind of knife-free alternative is one of the reasons why so many celebrities are looking better at 50 than they ever did before.
What is a non-surgical face lift?
It’s no longer necessary to undergo a painful operation in order to achieve the effects of a face lift. A non-surgical face lift or 8-pont lift is a convincing alternative, offering significant rejuvenation without any of the visible scarring or down-time. The procedure seeks to smooth, lift, plump, fill and possibly recontour the face using a range of non-surgical methods. It reduces the loss of volume, sagging and wrinkling of the skin that naturally occurs with age, without the lengthy recovery times of a traditional face lift.
If you are interested in the rejuvenating effects of a face lift but can’t justify the hefty price tag and extensive procedure - a liquid face lift may be just the solution to transform your appearance (and confidence!). Keep reading to find out more about the procedure...
Celebrity fans of the procedure
If your interest hasn’t already been piqued by the talk of younger, smoother skin without the need to go under the knife, then just look at some of the celebrities that have spoken about their love for these non-surgical procedures.
Jennifer Lopez is famous for her stunning good looks, and despite now being 51, she hasn’t appeared to age one bit! In fact, JLo is one celebrity that seems to have aged backwards. She attributes her completely wrinkle-free visage to a healthy lifestyle and claims to have never gone under the knife, however she has recently gushed over the “amazing” results of a non-surgical face lift.
Other celebrities that boast impressively smooth and plump complexions and have been vocal about their use of non-invasive treatments such as injectables, include Kim Kardashian West and Cindy Crawford. Kim Kardashian West often credits injectables for her flawless appearance and has even recommended her favourite LA doctor to her Instagram followers. Meanwhile 90s supermodel Cindy Crawford has admitted to using injectables to restore elasticity and volume to her face.
The non-surgical face lift provides an instant refresh and rejuvenation to the face, and can be performed on your lunch break - is there any wonder celebrities and career women across the world are rushing out to get one?
How does a non-surgical face lift work?
The non-surgical face lift or 8-point lift is often referred to as a “liquid face lift”, due to its use of injectables. The treatment uses dermal fillers in conjunction with anti-wrinkle injections to target the visible signs of ageing from all angles and provide an instantly refreshed appearance.
During the procedure, dermal fillers are used in the mid to lower section of the face to plump areas that have lost volume with age, lift sagging skin, and smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections are then used in the upper section of the face to relax the muscles that are commonly used in facial expressions that cause collagen to break down and wrinkles to form. You’ll still be able to laugh and smile like you always did, just without the pesky crows feet!
The great thing about this treatment is that it can be performed in your chosen practitioner’s office in one short session, and you won’t need to take time off work to recover. The practitioner will simply apply some anaesthetic to numb the area before going ahead with the injections, usually taking no longer than 30 minutes.
What does “non-surgical” mean?
The “non-surgical” part simply refers to the use of injectables rather than the scalpel used in a traditional face lift procedure.
A traditional face lift works to smooth and tighten the face by removing and redistributing skin, fat, muscle and connective tissue. Whereas a non surgical face lift achieves similar anti-ageing effects with dermal filler and anti-wrinkle injections. As you get older, the connective tissues in your face breakdown, causing a decrease in volume and an increase in wrinkles. Injectables work to plump up the skin once again and reduce the appearance of wrinkled and sagging skin.
How results compare to a traditional face lift
Compared to a traditional face lift, the results of a non-surgical face lift are more subtle. It is not uncommon for patients to leave a surgical facelift with severe and painful bruising, and for the skin to look strikingly tight. However, with a non-surgical face lift, bruising is minimal and results are near-instant.
With many cosmetic surgeries, the dramatic results can lead to people noticing the “work” you’ve had done before you have even formally introduced yourself. This is not the case with a non-surgical face lift. The results are significant and make you look more youthful, while still looking believable. With injectables, the aim is often to keep the patient looking like themselves, but better!
How long do the results last?
The results of a non-surgical face lift are typically immediate, and depending on the type of filler used, these results can last for around 18 months. Your practitioner will let you know if touch-ups are required within this time to maintain your results for as long as possible.
Non-surgical face lift cost
Another one of the benefits of opting for a non-surgical face lift over a traditional face lift is the cost. Traditional surgical face lifts are an expensive procedure, typically costing around £6,000 on average. A liquid face lift will cost you far less, although the final price depends on the type of injections used, how many injections are necessary, and where you have the treatment.
If you’d like to find out how much it will cost you to have a liquid face lift, book a consultation with a doctor so that they can determine precisely what you need.
Choosing the right practitioner for non-surgical face lift London & UK
As with any cosmetic treatment, it is vital that you choose your practitioner carefully. The right professional will listen to your concerns and help you achieve your desired results safely and successfully.
Unlike in other areas of Europe, the UK does not regulate who is allowed to inject filler. This means that you cannot expect the same safety and quality standards from every practitioner. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Dermatologists lists all practitioners who are properly qualified, making it easier for you to find a registered medical professional for your procedure. Once you’ve found a practitioner, they’ll be able to tell you more about what you can expect from the procedure.
Hunar Clinic is based in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, a short 25-minute train journey from London’s Marylebone. Book your consultation with Dr Prerna Mittal now.
