Facelift VS Botox and Fillers: Choosing the Best Approach
When it comes to facial enhancement procedures, it can be difficult to determine which treatment would work best for your needs: many people assume that age is the simplest way to determine which facial enhancement to opt for, but this isn’t always the case.
In general, facial ageing can develop through two ways: loss of volume, and loss of elasticity. Identifying which of these is your main aesthetic concern is the best way to choose a treatment option for your needs, and is also the best way to ensure that the final results will reflect your expectations.
While a plastic surgeon should always evaluate your aesthetic needs, our following guide on injectables vs facelifts will help you better understand your cosmetic needs. Let’s take a look!
What is Botox?
Botox is a popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses Botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure involves injecting small amounts of Botox into specific muscles, causing them to relax and soften, and this in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles and gives the skin a smoother, more youthful look.
Botox is commonly used on facial wrinkles, especially those in the forehead and around the eyes. However, it’s important to note that Botox is a temporary solution and typically lasts between three to six months, after which top-up treatments are necessary.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure aimed at improving visible signs of ageing in the face and neck. It can address a variety of concerns, including sagging in the middle of the face, deep creases below the lower eyelids or along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth, and loose skin or excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw.
The process typically involves removing excess skin, tightening underlying tissues, and redraping the skin on the face and neck. Unlike Botox, a facelift offers more permanent results, although it involves a more invasive procedure with a longer recovery time.
Given the invasive nature of a facelift, it’s crucial to consult with a renowned and qualified plastic surgeon for facelift surgery to decide if it’s the best option for you.
What are Fillers?
Fillers, often referred to as dermal fillers or injectable fillers, are non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. The fillers are made from various substances, with hyaluronic acid being one of the most common due to its hydrating properties and its natural occurrence in the body.
The procedure involves injecting the filler material into specific areas of the face, such as the lips for augmentation, the cheeks to restore volume, or the lines around the mouth to soften them. Unlike Botox, which relaxes the muscles, fillers work by filling in or plumping up the targeted area.
The effects of fillers are immediate but, like Botox, they are temporary. Depending on the type of filler used and the area treated, results can last anywhere from six months to two years. Despite being non-surgical, it’s important to remember that fillers still carry potential risks, such as bruising, swelling, and in rare cases, more serious side effects. Therefore, they should always be administered by a qualified professional.
Injectables vs Facelift: Key Differences
When comparing a Botox facelift or fillers to traditional facelift surgery, the key differences lie in the procedure, recovery time, results, and overall goals:
Invasive
Botox is a minimally invasive procedure: the injections are quick, usually completed within a lunch break, and require minimal recovery time. Most patients can even return to their daily activities immediately after the procedure. On the other hand, a facelift is a surgical procedure that requires general or local anaesthesia and involves a longer recovery period. Post-operation, patients might experience swelling and bruising, and they’ll need to take time off work and limit physical activities.
Temporary vs Long-lasting
Botox targets specific muscles in the face to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, while fillers work to plump up skin that has lost its volume. However, it’s important to remember that the effects of Botox and fillers are both temporary, and regular follow-up treatments are required to maintain the results.
Conversely, a facelift can last up to 10 years with the right care, significantly improving the signs of ageing by addressing sagging skin, deep lines, and excess fat, providing a more comprehensive and long-lasting facial rejuvenation.
In essence, the choice between Botox and a facelift depends on individual needs and preferences. Botox might be a suitable option for those seeking a less invasive procedure with immediate recovery, while a facelift might be more appealing to those wanting to address more significant signs of ageing and are prepared for a more invasive procedure and longer recovery time.
When to Choose Injectables
Injectables are the best treatment if you don’t present laxity but have wrinkles or volume loss. There are a variety of non-surgical injectable options, depending on the location of your ageing issues: dermal fillers improve localised lines in or volume loss to the cheeks, mouth, and nose, while upper facial wrinkles can be treated with neurotransmitter inhibitors, like BOTOX® Cosmetic. This injectable relaxes the facial muscles that cause the formation of wrinkles, leading to a smoother, more youthful appearance.
When to Choose a Facelift
More advanced forms of ageing come from facial laxity, which presents itself as the sagging of the facial tissues, especially at the cheeks, jawline, and neck. For many patients, this droop is caused by a weakening of the facial muscles, and this requires a deeper, more dramatic correction. In aggressive cases of ageing, jowls form along the jawline. Facelift surgery is the most effective method of reversing facial laxity, as this surgery addresses concerns on both the skin and muscular levels.
Through small incisions, your muscles are elevated and held in place with sutures, and excess skin is trimmed away from the jawline. If necessary, a neck lift is performed to eliminate the famously named “turkey neck.”
