Dermal filler injections can contour and lift facial features just like a facelift — without the operating room or extensive recovery time. Keep reading to learn more about this easy way to get the youthful look you desire.
The effects of aging are inevitable. As skin loses its elasticity over time, many parts of the body start to sag, wrinkle and fold, and nowhere is this clearer than on the face.
The facelift has been the widely accepted procedure to solve these aging problems for decades. But getting a facelift requires significant surgery and recovery time. Fortunately, there’s a convenient and safe alternative: dermal fillers lift and contour your facial features just like a traditional facelift, but you never have to see the inside of an operating room or endure weeks of painful recovery.
What Are Liquid Facelifts?
Fillers, also known as “liquid facelifts,” are injected into different parts of the face to conquer signs of aging, including removing wrinkles, creases, lines and folds, masking eye bags and dark circles, lifting jowls, plumping up cheeks, lifting the corners of the mouth and hiding bumps on the nose.
There are two kinds of facial fillers: those that feature hyaluronic acid, and those that feature calcium-based microspheres. Juvéderm, Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC, Restylane and Perlane are all hyaluronic acid fillers, while Radiesse is a calcium-based microsphere filler. Depending on the type, amount and placement of filler, the overall effects can vary greatly, which allows you to achieve the exact personalized look you desire. Effects can last up to one or two years and can last even longer when paired with Botox or Dysport.
Juvéderm
Juvéderm is a next-generation filler that uses cross-linked hyaluronic acid to fill wrinkles. Cross-linking is the process in which chains of the hyaluronic acid are bound together. Cross-linking turns liquid hyaluronic acid into a soft gel. The more cross-linking that occurs, the firmer the gel becomes. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid has the benefit of being metabolized by the body much slower than non-cross-linked acid, which results in a longer-lasting effect. Hyaluronic acid is key in keeping skin healthy and hydrated, defining and volumizing eyes and even lubricating joints. It absorbs more than 1000 times its weight of water, which adds volume to the skin. It also binds with collagen and elastin, adding structure and elasticity to the skin. As hyaluronic acid degrades over time, each acid molecule binds to even more water, which means less product can be used in following touch-up visits.
Juvéderm smoothes moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and can last a year or more. The duration of Juvéderm’s effects depends on the injector’s technique and injection area, as well as the individual’s muscle movement, skin and overall health. Areas of the face that have less muscle movement will retain the effects longer than areas that have constant movement. Reported side effects of Juvéderm include temporary redness, swelling, bumps and bruising at the injection site, which usually last a few days.
Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC
Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC is exactly what it sounds like – Juvéderm with a boost. Ultra Plus XC is more cross-linked than regular Juvéderm, meaning the hyaluronic acid forms a thicker gel that treats deeper folds and wrinkles and can also give more defined lift or sculpting to facial features. Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC’s effects lasts about a year or longer and have the same reported side effects as regular Juvéderm.
Restylane
More than four million people in over 70 countries have been treated with Restylane for the correction of laugh lines and other wrinkles or folds. Restylane’s effects generally last six to nine months, but many physicians recommend getting a filler touch-up while some Restylane is still in the body as it results in more natural collagen production and also means the amount of Restylane required for future procedures may be decreased for the same overall effect. Some physicians may use Botox in conjunction with Restylane to enhance results and extend the life of the acid.
Perlane
Perlane’s hyaluronic acid particles are larger than the other fillers, which means it can reach deeper and restructure and sculpt more dramatically. Perlane can be used in patients who want significant lip volume or facial contouring. Perlane fills larger areas beneath wrinkles and is often used to alter the shape and fullness of the cheeks, chin, lips, jowls and even soften the appearance of sunken eyes. Like Restylane, Perlane’s effects last six to nine months.
Radiesse
Radiesse uses calcium-based microspheres in a water-based gel that works with the body to stimulate production of collagen and rebuild tissue. It is often used in areas with dramatic wrinkles and thicker skin. Radiesse is often used to shape the cheeks, chin and jaw lines just like facial implants, but the effects are more customizable. Radiesse features both immediate and extended results. Like all fillers, the gel fills in the wrinkle and softens the appearance of lines and folds. But over time, the gel disintegrates and the microspheres form a “scaffold” that encourages even more production of collagen. This means the treatment area usually smoothes more over a period of several months. Radiesse lasts up to a year or more and is naturally absorbed by the body over time.
If you’re considering a facelift to correct or sculpt certain facial features, you may be able to achieve the results you want with dermal fillers, which do not require a significant operation or recovery time.
