Surgical vs. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation: what can they do for you?
Written by:
Plastic surgeon
Published: 03/10/2017
Edited by: Jay Staniland
There are a number of different options available to the patient looking to achieve facial rejuvenation. Whether through surgical techniques such as facelift, eyelid surgery or brow lift, or with non-surgical techniques such as dermal fillers or botox there are always options available for everyone’s needs.
Options for non-surgical facial rejuvenation
If you’re looking to restore a youthful appearance to your face, but without undergoing surgery there are a number of options available to you. You can make an appointment for a non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedure here.
Botox
If you’re concerned about wrinkles around your eyes and across your forehead, Botox is a possible non-surgical solution for you. Botox is an injection of a relaxing agent using a fine needle into the muscles that causes them to relax and the wrinkles to smooth out. The treatment is temporary, usually lasting between three to six months, and can be readministered when the effects are no longer visible. The treatment only takes around 15 minutes, with premium results taking up to two weeks to show.Dermal fillers
Another option for those wanting to improve the appearance of wrinkles on the face, is dermal fillers. These are administered via an injection, with the fillings all based on hyaluronic acid, depending on the needs of the patient. The fillers aren’t permanent, lasting between 6 months to 18 months, depending on the type of hyaluronic filler used. The filler is injected using a number of small injections over a period of 30 minutes to one hour, with a small amount of discomfort possibly experienced.Lipofilling (fat transfer)
A relatively new technique in facial rejuvenation is lipofilling, otherwise known as fat transfer. In this technique, fat is removed from an area of the body, processed and purified, and injected into specific areas of the face to give volume and reduce wrinkles. This procedure is similar to dermal filling, and needs to be repeated approximately every 6 months.Options for surgical facial rejuvenation
If it’s a more extensive and permanent facial rejuvenation procedure you are looking for, there are a number of surgical options available to you. These procedures are carried out by a consultant plastic surgeon. If you are interested in a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure, make an appointment here.
Facelift and necklift
If you want to skin on your face to appear tighter and smoother, a facelift could be the option for you. The procedure, otherwise known as a rhytidectomy, is carried out under a general anaesthetic, with incisions made around the ear. This allows tightening of the tissues under the skin (the SMAS), facial skin is removed to eliminate sagging, and the remaining skin is stitched back into place. The fat and subcutaneous tissues of the face may be repositioned to give a better appearance. Incisions may also be made under the chin if necessary to tighten loose folds of skin and remove vertical bands in the front of the neck. This will also tighten the tissues around the jawline. Facelift and necklift procedures are often combined. The recovery time is around two to four weeks, but may take up to six months for the full results to be seen.Endoscopic browlift
This minimally invasive technique focuses on the middle section of the face, and the forehead, and keeps scarring to a minimum. The procedure improves the appearance of the forehead and eyelids. A number of small incisions are made under general anaesthetic, in strategic positions above the hairline. Using an endoscope, the skin will be lifted and held in place using small reabsorbable plastic clips. Recovery time is around 2 weeks and the best results will be seen after around one to two months.Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)
Blepharoplasty is a procedure used to improve the appearance of the eyelids, removing excess skin, muscle and fatty tissue and removing the appearance of bags form the lower and/or the upper eyelids, leading to a more youthful and refreshed appearance. The surgery to the upper eyelids can be carried out under a local anaesthetic, and takes around ninety minutes, and healing usually takes around one to two weeks. Surgery on the lower lids is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic, excess tissue is removed during a procedure that lasts around one and a half hours. Recovery time is around 10 days, with the best results seen after a few months.What kind of facial rejuvenation procedure is best for me?
Depending on your needs, and your budget, there are many options available to you to improve the youthful appearance of your skin. Whether you want to go down the surgical or non-surgical route or a combination of procedures, you can be guaranteed that the surgeon will give the best results for you.