Non-surgical facelift

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to face lifting is plastic surgery. However, not everyone wants and can expose themselves to radical influences. A compromise option in this case is numerous minimally and non-invasive rejuvenating techniques.

Non-surgical facelift– this is a whole layer of various procedures that can improve the condition of the skin, get rid of sagging tissues and add clarity to the oval without surgical intervention and associated difficulties.

The main advantages of such techniques compared to surgery are relatively low cost, low trauma and fewer contraindications. At the same time, with their help it is not always possible to obtain such an impressive result as after surgery, and it does not last as long, usually up to 2-3 years, which partly offsets the cost benefit.

Basic methods of non-surgical lifting

All non-surgical face lifting procedures can be divided into several large groups:

• Injectable– subcutaneous administration of drugs that help improve tone and overall rejuvenation of the skin. This includes, in particular, some types of mesotherapy, contouring and plasma lifting
• Hardware– are performed on equipment that uses various types of energy (laser, radio wave, microcurrent, etc. ) to influence the skin.
• Lifting with threads– installation of special biocompatible threads under the skin, with the help of which tissues are moved to a new position. Most types of thread lifts are surgical techniques, but their invasiveness and the number of contraindications are significantly lower than in the case of other anti-aging facial surgeries
• Deep peelings, during which the upper layers of the dermis are removed. Stimulate skin renewal and thereby provide a lifting effect
• Manual practices– various massage techniques aimed at improving the tone of the muscle structures of the face and activating metabolism.

Injection lifting and facial rejuvenation

One of the safest and most common methods of this group ismesolifting– a variant of mesotherapy using a specially selected complex of active moisturizing and strengthening substances, which activates the process of cell renewal, fills them with moisture, and enhances local blood circulation. The standard course consists of 3-5 procedures, the duration of the result is from 6 to 18 months. After mesolifting, aging and sagging skin is noticeably smoothed, looks fresh and young, deep static wrinkles are reduced and small expression wrinkles disappear, the skin is renewed at the cellular level, its color is evened out, turgor and elasticity improve.

PlasmoliftingorPRP therapyis an injection of the patient’s own blood (or rather, plasma that has undergone special pre-treatment). The course is 4-5 sessions, the result lasts for about 1 year. Plasmolifting acts both locally, at the cellular level of the skin, triggering the synthesis of collagen fibers, and has a rejuvenating effect on the entire body as a whole - it stimulates the immune system, triggers the processes of regeneration and cell renewal. Also, plasma, like a biological glue, attaches the facial skin to the underlying structures, eliminating age-related tissue ptosis. After completing the course, the skin smoothes out, becomes more elastic, toned, fine wrinkles disappear and deep wrinkles decrease.

If meso- and plasmolifting have a complex effect on the entire face, tightening and rejuvenating it, thencontour plastic surgery with fillersAndbotulinum therapydesigned to specifically address specific age-related problems.

• Filler injections are intended to fill deep wrinkles, replenish the volume of missing tissues, and correct the shape of the face. Today, cosmetologists have a wide range of products at their disposal, mainly based on high-density hyaluronic acid, designed to correct certain age-related facial defects.
• Botulinum therapy uses drugs based on botulinum toxin type A, which blocks the nerve endings in the injection area and prevents them from contracting the facial muscles. As a result, the skin is smoothed and even deep expression wrinkles are reduced or disappear completely.

The effect of contouring and botulinum therapy lasts about 8-12 months, depending on the activity of metabolic processes and other individual characteristics of the body.

Hardware tightening methods

How most methods workhardware liftingthe same - the subcutaneous tissue is heated by targeted action, which stimulates the compaction of existing collagen fibers and the production of new collagen and elastin. As a result, wrinkles are smoothed out, pores are narrowed, the skin tightens and becomes elastic. The main differences between such procedures are what type of energy is used (laser, radio waves, etc. ) Otherwise, they are very similar: they are carried out in courses of 3-5 sessions, and the duration of the result is about 2 years. Today the most popular methods are:

• Laser thermolifting– laser energy is used;
• ELOS-lifting– based on the influence of two types of energy at once - laser and light;
• Radio frequency (RF) lifting– low power and high frequency radio waves are used.

Another option -microcurrent therapy, – works a little differently. In this case, skin cells are stimulated by microcurrents and specially developed biological preparations containing strong antioxidants that activate the natural mechanisms of skin regeneration.

The standard course of such non-surgical lifting consists of 4-5 procedures performed once a week. The main advantages of this method include a minimal number of contraindications and complete harmlessness to the body. Microcurrents activate metabolism, normalize the chemical composition of cells, and increase tissue elasticity - for this reason they are often used as a restorative procedure after surgical interventions.

Lifting with threads

This is a minimally invasive technique in which thin threads are inserted under the skin. Then they are pulled up, moving behind them and fixing the soft tissues in the desired position. The procedure is quick and safe, but still quite serious, so it should not be performed by a cosmetologist working with the "outer part" of the face, but by a plastic surgeon who is well acquainted with its internal structure. Depending on the general indications and personal preferences of the patient, the following may be used:

• Non-absorbable threads, made from biocompatible materials such as polypropylene.
• Mesothreads- are considered somewhat less effective, but they are made of polylactic acid, which does not remain under the skin, but is completely absorbed after a few months. In addition to the actual tightening, they have a beneficial effect on the general condition and health of the skin (similar to mesotherapy, hence the prefix "meso" in the name)

The result obtained lasts for an average of 2-3 years, after which you can install additional threads or choose a different technique (threads already installed will not interfere with either cosmetic procedures or surgical lifting). Some of the non-absorbable threads can be "tightened" in the future, but there is no consensus among experts about the advisability of such manipulation.

Deep peelings

These are quite traumatic and painful, but at the same time very effective procedures, with the help of which you can enhance the regeneration processes in the skin, improve its color, smoothness and elasticity, and also eliminate many external defects (hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, etc. ).

• Duringdeep chemical peelingAcid compositions based on phenol are applied to the face, which destroy the upper layers of the skin down to the middle of the reticular layer of the dermis. The procedure is performed only in a clinical setting, under general anesthesia - as a full-fledged operation.
• Deep laser resurfacingcombines two processes: applying thermal microtraumas to the skin, which trigger internal recovery mechanisms in it and vaporization (evaporation) of old cells. Modern fractional ablative lasers perform both of these actions simultaneously, which allows you to achieve a more pronounced lifting effect in fewer sessions than with previous generations of lasers.

The recovery period after deep peelings is quite long (rehabilitation takes up to 2 weeks). The effect lasts for about 1 year. If we compare both procedures, laser resurfacing has one important advantage - the ability to adjust the power and depth of impact "on the fly. "This allows you to select optimal parameters for each area, even very sensitive ones (eyelids, lips, neck), which is impossible to achieve with chemical peeling. In addition, the cooling system makes it less painful, allowing the use of local anesthesia.

Massage as a method of non-surgical facelift

With the help of manual influence it is also possible to achieve a certain lifting effect, although among experts there are very different opinions regarding its severity and duration. The most popular procedure from this group issculptural facial massage(plasticizing massage, facial massage according to Joelle Siocco and other proprietary techniques).

The principle of its action is based on deep strength training of facial and non-facial muscles with simultaneous activation of lymphatic drainage. The massage therapist "sculpts" the contours of the face, correcting problem areas. As a result, the oval becomes clearer, the manifestations of age-related changes are reduced, muscle tension is relieved, and skin color improves.

The standard course is 10-12 sessions, which are carried out every 2-3 days. Further maintenance procedures are required 2-3 times a month, which is a relative disadvantage of this method of non-surgical lifting. The obvious advantages of sculptural massage are painlessness, complete safety, no rehabilitation period, no risk of complications, no irritation on the skin. The obvious disadvantage is that the results are significantly less pronounced compared to other procedures described above.

How to choose the best non-surgical facelift technique?

In order to smooth out and possibly completely eliminate the signs of aging, it is necessary to determine the causes of their appearance. This unique diagnosis is one of the main tasks of a cosmetologist or plastic surgeon. It is he who should be entrusted with the choice of a specific method of rejuvenation or their combination. In the case of a face, the question is usually:How "deeply" are age-related changes localized?

• If they mainly affect the skin – e. g. We are talking about small wrinkles, changes in relief, decreased turgor - preference is given to methods that affect the dermal layer (restoration, compaction, strengthening of the elastin-collagen framework, polishing of existing defects). For this purpose, peelings, thermolifting, plasma therapy, and mesolifting are used.
• For problems with the subcutaneous structures of the face (deep wrinkles, pronounced nasolacrimal grooves, jowls, bags under the eyes, loss of clarity of the oval of the face, double chin), choose methods that affect the muscular frame and hypodermis. These include thread lifting, botulinum therapy, contouring, microcurrent, and sculptural massage.
• In many cases, changes affect both the skin and internal structures, then to obtain a pronounced effect, a thoughtful combination of several rejuvenating techniques is necessary.

Experts' opinion

Journalists asked leading cosmetologists to comment on the effectiveness of using certain non-surgical facelift options, and also turned to plastic surgeons for a professional opinion:

1. "The question is much simpler than it might seem. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of technique, not to undergo surgery earlier than required, but also not to spend longer than expected in cosmetologists’ offices, you need to figure out just three things:

   • Condition of soft tissues, degree of ptosis.If age-related changes have not gone too far, we can talk about non-surgical solutions. If we are talking about pronounced folds and fairly large excess skin, do not waste time and money on cosmetology, do not engage in self-deception. Excess skin will not disappear on its own; it can only be removed with a scalpel, and only a plastic surgeon will help you here.
   • Age.Until the age of 40 (most often), cosmetic procedures work quite well. After 40, their effect becomes less and less noticeable, and after 50, if you need a real effect, and not just care, you should seriously think about surgery.
   • Patient's wishes.Only you determine who to go to and what you need. Not all women want to look 10-20 years younger; for many it is important to simply look well-groomed and fresh enough for their age. This problem can be solved without surgery. Dull skin color, sagging, fine wrinkles, age spots, etc. – cosmetologists cope well with all these problems. But if you are not satisfied with the sagging contours of the face, drooping eyelids, jowls, bags under the eyes, double chin or folds on the neck, only contact a surgeon.

   If you need a very small lift, pay attention to vector lifting with various threads or contour plastic surgery. By repeating these procedures 1-2 times a year, you can postpone the operation for several years. You yourself will be able to understand when the resulting effect no longer suits you and the time comes to think about more radical methods. "

2. "Non-surgical methods, of course, will not replace plastic surgery, but they are a good means of prevention and can delay a visit to the surgeon for a long time. It may be advisable for women to resort to gentle lifts (hardware cosmetology) from the age of 25. Almost each of the methods listed in the article can help with certain subtle age-related changes. Our specialists use some of these procedures individually, but most often as part of a comprehensive program.

   Thus, after a surgical facelift, stagnation may occur, which can be easily treated with the help of microcurrents. Contour plastic surgery with fillers allows you to correct minor age-related changes, but in this case plasma fillers (analogs of hyaluronic acid fillers, which are produced from the patient’s own blood) have proven themselves better.

   Botulinum toxin A preparations, of course, give good results and it is impossible to replace them with analogues. RF lifting also gives a good effect both for the prevention of aging and during maintenance therapy after plastic surgery. But phenol peeling is not used in our clinic due to its traumatic nature.

   A significant advantage of non-surgical lifting procedures is that they can be recommended to patients at a fairly young age, with subtle age-related changes. For example, a gentle alternative to blepharoplasty can be plasma, laser or RF lifting, as well as mesothreads - what exactly to choose will depend on the "severity" of the skin, the depth of wrinkles, the age of the patient and the presence of certain contraindications. "

3. "I would like to immediately note that, of course, none of the minimally invasive techniques can compete in terms of effectiveness with surgical operations. However, it often happens that the patient’s health does not allow him to take such a step, or the specific situation does not yet require surgical intervention. In these cases, minimally invasive cosmetology comes to our aid.

   Thread lifting, laser face lifting, and RF lifting techniques may well delay the need for surgery and serve as a kind of temporary replacement for surgical facelift techniques. Botulinum therapy and fillers can get rid of wrinkles. Plasmolifting improves skin turgor and its general condition. Peels are also responsible for skin turgor, color and quality. These procedures are effective in their area of action, but are not a direct alternative to plastic surgery.

   The clinic performs almost all the procedures described in the article, however, each of them has both indications and contraindications. In particular, for patients who come to us for a total face lift, I recommend plasma lifting before and after surgery, this allows us to shorten the rehabilitation period. But it’s not worth carrying out any hardware rejuvenating procedures before surgery. "

4. "Currently, there are a large number of effective methods of non-surgical facial rejuvenation, but it is important to understand the difference in the capabilities of a plastic surgeon and a cosmetologist. The surgeon creates the facial contour, the cosmetologist improves the quality of the skin. And aging manifests itself in sagging skin and muscles, a decrease in skin tone, and a deterioration in its quality. In total, there are about 5 types of aging, depending on their manifestations, and a rejuvenation program is developed, including using non-surgical techniques.

   Today, I consider hardware procedures (laser fractional photothermolysis, laser thermolifting), RF lifting, as well as contour plastic surgery and thread lifting to be the most effective. But it must be honestly noted that with severe ptosis and a large amount of subcutaneous fat, all types of hardware lifting are ineffective, since they affect the deep layers of the skin without affecting its surface. Also, the so-called 3D facial modeling is very popular and effective, which uses a set of measures: contouring, thread lifting, botulinum therapy.

   In general, we have a fairly large selection of minimally invasive facelift methods in our arsenal, but for the best results an integrated approach is always required. A single method, no matter how good it may be, cannot solve all problems. "