The short answer is no. "Creams" and various skin care products do not replace a good face lift.
As you can imagine, skin care products are applied to the surface of the skin and can improve the texture and quality of skin. Products such as Retin-A and the Glycolic acids can indeed improve the skin and collagen in the skin. Retin-A is a prescription and the higher concentration Glycolic acids are sold in physicians' offices. Some cosmetics claim that they contain Glycolic acids but usually the concentration is much less than the products sold in a doctor's office.
I encourage many of my patients to have a good skin care regimen to improve and care for their skin both before and after surgery. Sun protection is also very important especially in the southern climates and higher elevations.
A face lift supports the tissues under the skin. Excess skin is removed. This is a process involving the skin and deeper tissues. If you are developing laxity of the deeper tissues the face lift is needed to resupport these structures.
Often a patient has poor skin quality related to aging as well as loose tissues. As you can imagine, that person will achieve the best results by combining good skin care and a face lift.
