Growing old may be a privilege, but that doesn’t mean you have to look older. Today’s patients have more options than ever when it comes to facial rejuvenation. From a facelift to a dermal filler “liquid facelift,” women and men have plenty of treatments to consider. These different choices can lift sagging skin, plump up thin lips, or improve other areas impacted by age.
However, knowing if you are ready for surgery or whether you can get your desired results with a less invasive option can depend on many factors. Your goals, budget, and comfort level all play a part in finding the perfect procedure. Let’s compare the benefits of each and look at some important factors, including nonsurgical and facelift costs, results, recovery, and more.
Facelift Benefits
Facelift surgery is the gold standard for facial rejuvenation. The procedure tightens skin, sculpts the jawline, and reduces common signs of aging such as wrinkles. Today’s facelifts avoid a tight, “windblown” appearance by carefully adjusting the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. The results last for many years and are much more dramatic than other less invasive options.
Ideal facelift patients are those in their 40s, 50s, or 60s with advanced signs of aging. The surgery creates more comprehensive results because it addresses the entire lower two-thirds of the face.
Dermal Filler Benefits
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that add youthful volume to the face. They are typically used in areas such as the lips, cheeks, and forehead. The volume they provide helps counteract the loss of collagen and fat due to age. As the face is plumped up, the fillers create a softer, more rounded face shape.
Injectables are typically best for correcting minor signs of aging and mild to moderate wrinkles. Some patients prefer using fillers to “try out” a look before surgery or simply because they want only slight changes to their face.
What Is a Liquid Facelift?
A liquid facelift is a nonsurgical procedure that uses injectables to sculpt and contour the face. While simple filler treatments add volume and correct an imperfection in a small area, a liquid facelift goes a step further. It takes a comprehensive approach, using multiple injectables such as BOTOX and JUVÉDERM to transform areas across the face. A liquid facelift can smooth out the brow, add roundness to hollowed cheeks, or be customized for countless other needs.
The liquid facelift has quickly grown in popularity among our Atlanta patients as a nonsurgical facelift alternative. While it can’t lift or tighten skin for the long term, it can fix many problem areas in a single treatment.
Which Option Is Right for Me?
No two patients are exactly alike, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment. Here are the main factors to keep in mind when deciding between these popular facial rejuvenation treatments.
Desired Results
The main difference between facelift surgery and fillers is the level of results they can create. A facelift lifts muscles and removes loose, saggy skin, but the surgery requires incisions and proper downtime. Injectables, however, can treat superficial wrinkles and loss of volume without going “under the knife.” If you have only mild signs of aging, dermal fillers may be right for you. If you have significant sagging, wrinkling, and other aging issues, you may require a traditional facelift to get the results you want.
Skilled Providers
No matter which option you choose, your procedure should be overseen by a trusted professional. Find a skilled, highly trained board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your facial plastic surgery. Injectables can also be administered by a plastic surgeon or, sometimes, a registered nurse with supervision by a doctor. You may prefer one treatment over another depending on your access to qualified professionals for your procedure.
Cost
When considering surgery, many of our patients ask the same question: How much does a facelift cost? In Atlanta, the average cost of a facelift is about $16,247, according to RealSelf. This price can change depending on the extent of your procedure, your surgeon’s experience, and other factors. Most insurance companies do not cover the price of facelift surgery. However, at our practice, we offer many financing options for qualified patients who would prefer to pay through convenient monthly payments.
As you’re weighing the costs versus the benefits, keep in mind that facelift surgery is a one-time fee that covers everything from hospital charges to anesthesia costs. And facelift results generally last 10 years or longer.
A nonsurgical, liquid facelift costs about $2,325 on average—and that cost grows over time since you’ll likely need touch-up treatments a couple of times a year or so. Depending on how long you want your new look to last, facelift surgery can actually be the more financially savvy option.
Maintenance
As mentioned above, dermal fillers require regular maintenance. These can be required 2 to 3 times a year depending on the types of fillers you are using. Some patients don’t mind needing regular appointments because they like the flexibility and less invasive nature of dermal fillers. However, if you want a long-term solution that will keep you out of the medical spa, facelift surgery may fit your goals.
Whether you’re interested in a facelift, dermal fillers, or a liquid facelift, our Atlanta facial surgery team is here to help you look your very best. If you would like to learn more about treatment and take the next steps forward, please request a consultation online. You can also contact our practice office by phone at (770) 421-1242 to schedule an appointment.
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