Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation is more effective and accessible than ever thanks to injectable treatments and noninvasive skin tightening procedures. However, while these options are helpful for some, there is a reason facelift surgery at my Pasadena practice continues to be such a popular and trusted approach, especially for those with significant signs of aging in the lower face.
In this blog post, I’ll explain why a facelift continues to be the most effective, long-lasting rejuvenation option for many of the men and women I treat.
Injectable treatments only offer temporary results. BOTOX® Cosmetic is effective for 3 to 4 months, and fillers may last for up to a year or 18 months, depending on the product. Skin tightening using Ultherapy® can improve elasticity for 1 to 2 years at a time. In contrast, facelift results effectively “turn back the clock” by many years, creating a much longer-lasting rejuvenation.
Even though fillers initially can help restore lost volume, sagging eventually reaches a point where a very large amount of product would be needed to create a smooth appearance. This generally isn’t ideal, because it can lead to a pillowy, unnatural outcome. Ultherapy can help on a temporary basis, but a surgical facelift is much more effective for removing excess skin and achieving a smoother, younger-looking face.
Even though a facelift initially costs more than nonsurgical procedures, it’s a one-time investment. Injectables and nonsurgical skin tightening approaches seem more affordable up front, but 10 or more years of regular maintenance treatments ultimately add up to a larger cost and more time spent at the practice.
Some patients hesitate when considering facelift surgery because the procedure is associated with a “windswept” or “pulled back” appearance. However, this look is a result of outdated facelift techniques that focused only on tightening the skin and not the underlying muscle, tissue, and fat.
Today’s facelift creates a natural-looking rejuvenation by correcting signs of aging at a much deeper level. My approach addresses the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), lifting deep within the tissue and carefully draping the skin without excessive pulling or stretching. This technique has made the procedure an even more helpful solution for those whose signs of aging can’t be properly addressed nonsurgically.
When it comes to facial rejuvenation, surgery is typically an investment worth making. While no procedure can stop the aging process altogether, a facelift provides the longest-lasting results possible by correcting issues at deeper levels rather than providing temporary surface-level solutions.
If you’re wondering whether you’re ready for this next step, I recommend reading our previous blog post, which discusses how you can determine if the approach is right for you. To see examples of the transformation a facelift can create, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
If you’re ready to move forward with a facelift in Pasadena, please contact us online or call (626) 268-4524 to request a consultation.
