Lift Or Fill? Choosing The Right Treatment For Your Face

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Lift Or Fill? Choosing The Right Treatment For Your Face

Now Is The Time To Address The Signs Of Aging

Dealing with the signs of aging is not a foreign concept. Wrinkles, reduced elasticity, and loss of volume are common concerns. As time progresses, more pronounced signs of aging, like sagging skin and nasolabial folds, form, creating a less youthful appearance. These changes are why a thriving cosmetic industry exists with makeup, serums, and handheld machines to address these issues. When these tactics fail, dermal fillers and facelifts are the next possible procedures. These fill or lift many of the issues of the face, but which treatment is the best option?

Plump it up with fillers

Dermal fillers are compounds injected into specific areas of the face to add volume and treat signs of aging, such as wrinkles. Typical fillers include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, or other naturally occurring substances. Dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons can inject fillers in the forehead, nasolabial folds, cheek, chin, and lips. Fillers are non-surgical options that can be completed in less than an hour. People who try fillers enjoy the convenience and near non-existent downtime. Dermal fillers last several months and can be reapplied as needed.

Take it up a notch with a facelift

A facelift or rhytidectomy is a more advanced cosmetic surgery that can produce more dramatic results. This surgery targets the lower third of the face, which is prone to sagging, folds, jowls, and deposits of fat. A facelift lifts, repositions, and tightens facial tissues to create a more youthful appearance. The surgery consists of incisions along the hairline at the temples to the ear. The skin is lifted off the connective tissue to access the muscles and fat. A skilled surgeon will manipulate the muscles and tissue to achieve the desired results. Excess skin is removed, and the incisions are hidden in the hairline. Facelifts need downtime for recovery. There are different types of facelifts that match the individual needs of the patient.

When is the best time for fillers?

Fillers are ideal to target the early signs of aging. These are mild wrinkles, folds, and loss of elasticity noticed as early as age 30. Fillers also target mild to moderate volume loss or specific areas of concern, such as marionette lines, folds, cheeks, or lips. These are also temporary solutions lasting 6-18 months. Individuals who want to try cosmetic enhancement without the commitment of surgery will appeal to fillers. Fillers are also a cost-effective option compared to facelifts, and there is no loss of time due to recovery.

When should you consider a facelift?

Facelifts target more severe signs of aging like sagging skin, deep wrinkles, jowls, and deep nasolabial folds. Excess fat and skin in the jawline or neck area cannot be addressed with fillers and needs a more detailed approach. While more invasive, facelifts provide a longer-term solution, with some people seeing the difference for over 10 years. Facelifts are ideal for those who want more detailed changes that can decrease perceived age. While more expensive than fillers, the cost savings add up over the years compared to constant filler treatments. Facelifts can also be combined with eye lifts, neck lifts, or forehead lifts for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Making a decision your face will love

The choice between fillers and facelifts depends on multiple factors. The extent of aging concerns is an important factor, as mild changes can benefit from fillers. Fillers, however, will not change more severe forms of wrinkles and sagging, so a facelift is best. For longer-lasting results spanning several years, a facelift is optimal. Patients who have the time and resources to recover should consider facelifts. Surprisingly, facelifts and fillers can be used together for long-term results. A facelift acts as the foundation, while fillers help enhance or maintain facelift results years after the procedure. Discuss the pros and cons with a surgeon or dermatologist and choose the right treatment to lift or fill.



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