I've been performing facelift surgery for 18+ years, but I continue looking for effective non-surgical alternatives. I use many other techniques as well. You should seek the advice of someone who can look at your facial bone structure, muscle, deep fibrous support, fat and skin, and then offer you options that best suit you.
Lasers that work to firm or tighten the fibrous portion of the skin (dermis) can give mild to dramatic results, depending on how deep they treat the skin. The most effective proven lasers require longer recovery periods and may have more risks and side effects. The effectiveness and risks of the newest technologies are not known yet. In summary, energy-based skin tightening can help.
Injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid (Restylane & Juvaderm), can reduce the appearance of some facial aging changes. Adding volume can be helpful. On the other hand, excess volume (fat) may not be removed without surgery.
Improving or restoring deep fibrous support, muscle and bone structure is done with surgery.
Your jowls are one feature that can best be treated with cheeklift or complete facelift, but minimally invasive options can give lesser improvement.
