As we age, wrinkles, fine lines, drooping, or sagging skin are normal. In the past, patients were limited in terms of their anti-aging options, with many choosing surgical facelifts. Today, new technologies and procedures are constantly emerging, and non-surgical anti-aging treatment options are more effective than ever. Many patients in the Kelowna and Okanagan areas of British Columbia can benefit from a non-surgical facelift for a faster, less invasive option to address their unwanted aging signs. This customizable procedure, sometimes referred to as a Soft Lift, is available with the cosmetic specialists at Cerulean Medical Institute.
What is a Non-Surgical Facelift?
A non-surgical facelift is typically a series of non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures designed to address aging signs like sagging and wrinkles or fine lines. The procedure’s goal is to offer results similar to a facelift without requiring extensive downtime or surgery. At Cerulean Medical Institute, we offer a non-surgical facelift option known as Soft Lift, which utilizes a combination of Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers such as Juvéderm.
Am I a Candidate for a Non-Surgical Facelift?
Most patients who have some signs of aging including dynamic wrinkles, mild to moderate sagging, or volume loss are good candidates for non-surgical facelifts. A non-surgical facelift is very effective for those who have mild to moderate aging signs, but results may not be as significant as those with more severe wrinkles or facial sagging would hope for. During a consultation, Dr. Chetty or one of our other cosmetic specialists can explain what results you can expect from a non-surgical facelift. They will also review your health to ensure that the procedure will be safe for you. Some patients with certain health conditions may not be good candidates for a non-surgical facelift, so it is always important to discuss any relevant conditions during your consultation. Finally, your cosmetic specialist will create a personalized treatment plan with the non-surgical facelift steps that will be most beneficial for your specific aging signs and staging.
Reducing Wrinkles Without Surgery
When it comes to reducing wrinkles non-surgically, you have several options depending on the location and cause. Dynamic wrinkles, or those that worsen when you move your face and make expressions such as frowning or smiling, are best treated with Botox. Botox is a neuromodulator which is injected into precise areas to relax the facial muscles, softening facial expressions and subsequent wrinkles. The results last for three to four months, and you can have maintenance injections to retain your new, more youthful look.
Other wrinkles, like nasolabial folds, marionette lines, or smoker’s lines, are caused by natural volume loss and sag over time. As you age, fat shrinks and naturally descends from the cheeks to lower areas of the face, causing a deflated, sunken, or hollow appearance and worsening fine lines, wrinkles, and folds. Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Belotero, can be used to restore lost volume and essentially fill in lines. Like Botox, Juvéderm and Belotero are injectable products which requires no downtime.
A combination of dermal fillers and Botox is known as a Soft Lift. There are also other treatment options to further help lift saggy skin and reduce wrinkles non-surgically. Anti-aging chemical peels can be used to resurface the skin, stimulating new collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels are available in a variety of formulas to suit the needs of many patients.
For some patients, laser facials may also be suitable options to reduce wrinkles or fine lines. Laser facials stimulate new skin cells and collagen development, creating a smoother and more youthful look. Laser facials can require some downtime or cause minor redness and irritation similar to a sunburn, but have the benefit of addressing several skin concerns in both texture and pigment through one procedure.
Non-Surgical Options for Tightening Skin
In addition to lines and wrinkles, loose, sagging skin is a common concern for non-surgical facelift patients. Strategically injecting Botox can lift areas such as the eyebrows by relaxing muscles which pull the skin down. Dermal fillers can also reduce sagging and make the skin appear firmer or tighter by restoring volume to areas such as the cheeks or undereye area. These options make the skin appear firmer and more youthful, and give you a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance overall.
Skin tightening with radiofrequency and ultrasound devices are a fantastic treatment option to tighten and lift the skin further especially around the eyelids, lower face and neck areas after lost volume of the face is replaced with dermal fillers. This skin tightening treatment modality works by stimulating skin cells called fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin fibres that help to lift and tighten saggy skin.
Belkyra is another injectable option to improve the appearance of the lower face which appears heavier with ageing. Belkyra works by reducing the appearance of the double chin. Belkyra is injected just below the chin to permanently reduce fat cells in the area, resolving the look of a double chin and creating a youthful and well-defined jawline. Especially when paired with other treatments such as dermal fillers at the jawline, this creates an overall tighter and lifted look.
Chemical peels and laser facials also create firmer, lifted skin. Each procedure stimulates collagen, creating firmer skin with increased elasticity. After a short recovery period during which time the skin heals and generates new cells, the face appears smoother, tighter, and younger.
Microneedling may also be a good option for tightening the skin. This anti-aging treatment creates micro-injuries or microchannels in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process. This helps to create firmer and more elastic skin through new collagen growth. In addition, microneedling can be paired with topical treatments, as the microchannels allow products to penetrate more deeply in the skin, increasing their effectiveness.
Why Choose a Non-Surgical Facelift?
There are many benefits in choosing a non-surgical facelift. First, the treatment is highly customizable, meaning that you and your cosmetic specialist at Cerulean Medical Institute can create a personalized treatment plan according to your concerns, goals and stage of ageing. Personalized treatments such as Cerulean Medical Institute’s non-surgical facelifts are often more effective as they are tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
A non-surgical facelift treatment is also minimally invasive, with fewer side effects compared to a surgical facelift. Patients do not need to worry about anesthesia or other risks that may come with surgery. As such, the procedure also requires either no downtime or minimal downtime. Soft Lift, which requires only injectables, has no downtime, and side effects are limited to temporary swelling or redness at the injection site. Otherwise, patients are free to immediately return to their routines. Options like chemical peels or laser resurfacing may require a short healing period, which is typically limited to side effects like tenderness, redness, or peeling.
In addition to requiring minimal or no downtime, the non-surgical facelift procedure can be completed effectively in a short time, making it a perfect option for busy patients. Injections of Botox or Juvéderm, for example, can be completed in as little as 15-30 minutes.
Skin Care After a Non-Surgical Facelift
Proper skin care is key after a non-surgical facelift to maintain your results. In particular, including SPF in your daily routine is key both to protect your skin through any recovery period and prevent sun damage or other aging signs from developing further. After your non-surgical facelift procedure, our skin care specialists can help you choose professional-quality skin care products that will protect your skin’s health and maintain your results over time.
How Long Do Non-Surgical Facelift Results Last?
Results from most non-surgical facelifts at Cerulean Medical Institute are long lasting but not permanent. Injectables such as Botox, Belotero or Juvéderm last, on average, between 3-24 months respectively. This is because the body will naturally break down the product over time and safely eliminate it away. If you wish to maintain your results long-term and prevent signs of ageing of the skin, you can discuss scheduling maintenance injections during your non-surgical facelift consultation. This allows you to refresh your non-surgical facelift results through follow-up appointments with Botox and dermal fillers. During your consultation, our cosmetic specialists will explain how long you can expect your non-surgical facelift results to last and a plan to maintain your youthful appearance over time.
How Much Does a Non-Surgical Facelift Cost?
The cost of your non-surgical facelift treatment will vary depending on the specific procedures you have, your stage of ageing, the amount of equipment and products used to complete your procedure and treatment time. Non-surgical facelift treatment prices start from $5,000 depending on your stage of ageing and tissue deficits. During your consultation, our cosmetic specialists will give you a more specific and accurate price estimate for your non-surgical facelift procedure.
Choosing the Best Non-Surgical Facelift Provider for You
One of the key decisions for a successful natural looking non-surgical facelift is choosing the best provider for your needs. In Kelowna, BC, Cerulean Medical Institute offers the most advanced, scientifically proven anti-aging procedures available. These procedures are provided by experts in dermatology and skin care with advanced training for Botox, dermal fillers, skin tightening, lasers, chemical peels, and more. Your procedure will be performed in our comfortable and state-of-the-art facility and tailored to your unique needs. Before your consultation, you can review before and after photos of previous non-surgical facelift patients. This allows you to get a clearer sense of the results that you can achieve at Cerulean Medical Institute.
The non-surgical facelift before and after photo above illustrates reflation of facial fat compartments with dermal fillers which along with skin tightening treatments helps to lift and contour the sagging ageing face and neck for a natural looking youthful appearance.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in a non-surgical facelift treatment, the first step is a thorough consultation in our Kelowna, BC office. To schedule your appointment, call Cerulean Medical Institute at (778) 402-3696. If you prefer, you can also contact us online.
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