Surgical vs Non-Surgical Facelift: Which Should I Get?

We give our faces a workout every day as we squint in the sun, smile and laugh with friends, frown at bad news or concentrate on something. Unfortunately, wrinkles are formed during these dynamic expressions. As we get older, our facial features begin to change. This is when the jaw and neck begin to sag, volume is lost in the face, and deep lines begin to show.

Luckily there is a way to turn back the clock and see our younger faces in the mirror again--more than one, actually. Both the surgical and non-surgical facelifts can lift, firm, and rejuvenate the face, taking years away. Which is the best option for you?

Surgical vs non-surgical facelift--what are the procedures like?

Let’s look into the details of both procedures to help get a better idea of the pros and cons of each.

Surgical facelift

A surgical facelift repositions the skin and tissues of the face to create a smoother, firmer, more sculpted contour. Incisions are made around the forehead, behind the ear, and inside the hairline. If the neck is being addressed, another incision is made to allow access to the neck tissues.

The underlying tissue is repositioned and the muscles are lifted. The skin is draped over the new facial contours, and any excess skin is trimmed away, and the incisions are closed. Once healed, the incision scars or lines are concealed within the hairline and the natural lines of the face and ear.

Surgical facelifts address wrinkles, sagging cheeks or jowls, deep lines and creases, and excess skin and fat on the neck. A well-done facelift can take many years off your face and leave you looking refreshed and more youthful.

Non-surgical facelift

A non-surgical facelift, sometimes called a “liquid facelift,” utilizes a combination of injectables such as Botox, dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, and others), and Kybella. Fat transfers into the cheeks may be done. Microneedling and laser treatments can be used. 

The results of a non-surgical facelift can be quite dramatic and take years off the face, resulting in a firmer, more sculpted, and younger appearance. 

How long does each procedure last?

• Surgical: The younger your age when a surgical facelift is done, the longer the results will last. On average, a facelift lasts around 15 years, although some may last as long as 20.
• Non-surgical: Depending on which fillers were used, the results may last from six months to one year. There is a need for regular touch-ups because injectables are absorbed by the body over time.

What is the recovery time for each procedure?

• Surgical: Immediately after a facelift, you will have a dressing around your face to help minimize bruising and swelling. Within a week the bandages can be removed. Within a month, the bruising and swelling are generally gone.
• Non-surgical: The procedure is short, non-invasive, and mostly painless. Recovery time is minimal; in some cases, there is no recovery time needed at all. Longer recovery periods for non-surgical facelifts might be a few days with minimal swelling or bruising.

The decision is yours

Both procedures are excellent options to powerfully combat the signs of age. Each comes with its own pros and cons, but the takeaway is: 

• The surgical facelift is more involved, includes downtime and recovery, but gives very long-lasting, outstanding results. 
• Meanwhile, the non-surgical facelift is non-invasive, needs very little recovery, if any, and gives much shorter-lasting, excellent results.

Each person has their own goals and priorities when it comes to enhancing their facial aesthetics and looking younger, more contoured and revitalized. Take the time you need to make your decision, and consult with us to help you begin your facial rejuvenation journey!