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Facelift Without Surgery

asked 3 years ago by Gatormom in Florida
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 14,676 times
Tags: age 45-54, face, female, non surgical, technique

What's the best procedure that works like a facelift with minimum fuss? I am 52 years old and have decided that I want to improve the look of my face. My choices are filler injections or the new signature lift, which takes about 90 minutes. After reading some of the reviews on the injectables, I am a little apprehensive. I have a wedding to attend in July and I want to look my best. Can someone please let me know about the best procedures that I can do that does not require general anesthesia, with minimal down time and allows me to look like I had a facelift?

51 answers to Facelift Without Surgery

+3

Non Surgical Options for Facial rejuvenation

For any given aesthetic concern, there are both medical and surgical enhancements which are possible. Additionally, skin care treatment options are also available which are less invasive than surgery, but more invasive than typical medical spa treatments: BOTOX ® injection for facial wrinkles and lines, Juvederm injection for lip enhancement and softening of deep facial folds and creases, laser treatment of facial veins and rosacea, and non-invasive laser skin  tightening for... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+3

Facelift without surgery

Unfortunately.....no such thing.......any other answer is someone who wants your money and will get you absolutely no results or improvement.  If you want a natural looking result that makes a noticable change you have to have at least a conservative facelift. The good news is that an experienced facelift surgeon can do this easily under local anesthesia in less than one hour. I might also add that fillers enhance facelift work they don't take the place of facelift work. more
Richard Galitz, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift options

There are many names for variations of a facelift but they all lead to the same destination; rejuvenating the face.  Without a picture it is difficult to advise you. A mini-lift of the cheek and jowl area can be done in two to three hours under mild sedation.  You should always look for a procedure with some lifting of the SMAS.  A skin lift alone is useless.  If you have a sagging neck then a general anesthesia is probably required. If it sounds too good to be true... more
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

A facelift is best

If you want the results of a facelfit, then get a facelift. It is the best way to improve the laxity in the lower face, no question. A minilift can be performed in the office setting and requires no general anesthesia. Downtime is minimal and you should look good in a week, and great in 2-3 weeks. If you desire a non-surgical alternative, then combination therapy is probably best. I would personally recommend a combination of fillers, botox, and Ultherapy. Ultimately, your particular... more
Andrew Campbell, MD

Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.campbellplastics.com

+2

Hard Question to Answer Without Pictures

In some patients of your age, fillers are absolutely the right thing to do. In others a mini-lift is appropriate, and in others still a Facelift is the best procedure. It is hard to determine what to do without pictures. In my hands as with many posters on this website, mini lifts and Facelifts are performed under twilight IV sedation (very similar to the sedation for a colonoscopy); general anesthesia is rarely used. The take home points I would suggest are: 1) don't focus on the "90... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+2

Mini facelift vs fillers?

Mini facelift = Mini results Minimum fuss: Injectables Of course, there is no free lunch. In Plastic Surgery, the price you pay for convenience is either short acting solutions or subtle, rather than dramatic results. In your particular case, injectables seem like an ideal solution to get something done before the wedding, and to start looking into good reputable surgeons in your area. Ask to see pre and post op pictures of their work.
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift without general anesthesia

There are lots of "fears" about having a Facelift. With the right surgeon you can have a great procedure without a lot of downtime, without looking stretched, and without general anesthesia. Things are done differently by different surgeons and there are a lot of surgeons getting into mini-lifting that have not had formal education with face lifting. We do the entire range, from "mini lifting" to full face lifting, all under local with twilight sedation. it is easy and it... more
Phillip Langsdon, MD

Germantown Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

I would recommend a "Mini-Lift," but be careful.

There are multiple options for rejuvenating the face. Basically, for the problem you outline, there are only 2. One is to use fillers to return the fullness of the face and to disguise the sagging from the pull of gravity. The best way to correct the effects of gravity, however, is surgical. Terminology for the different methods of surgical correction varies. Some of these are classified as “mini-lifts” or “designer lifts.” Not all of these are equal. Most... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+2

There is more to making a face look young other than pulling or filling the skin.

I know this is hard to explain but I will try to relate this to something that is more concrete. The face is a complex anatomic structure and is constructed of many layers. Approaching it with only one technique will give you limited results with a very defined improvement. If you take a 90 year old house and give it a new coat of paint it will look better but that is very unidimensional thinking. Likewise with changing any single component of the house. If you change only one aspect of the... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facial Rejuvenation without surgery

Dear Gatormom!! A proper facelift is the best approach for long term excellent results. The operative time is important as it will indicate the detail in which the surgeon is providing for the long term results that you want- 7 to 10 years! This can take 3 to 5 hours depending on the surgeon- and if there is one part of your body that you do want to cheat on is your face. Fillers, Botox and Thermage can give nice results and freshening with minimal downtime- and some patients I see prefer... more
Trevor M. Born, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Be careful, it's too close to the wedding

Hi Gatormom! When a patient such as yourself is looking for improvement within a short amount of time, I always tell them to look at the "worst case scenario". I will explain this. As you have heard in the other surgeons' answers, the "signature" lifts are often marketed heavily. They are not anything new. They have been an option for early aging for many years, and lie on a spectrum of facial procedures ranging from least to most "invasive". One thing that my... more
Behrooz Torkian, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Single stitch facelift sound too good to be true.

Dear Gatormom BT Barnum once said that no one ever went out of business underestimating the intelligence of the American public. Very few people are excited by the prospect of surgery. This creates an opportunity for sharp elbowed marketing types (which also include surgeons) to take advantage of this need or desire. SIngle point suspension of the face and particularly when no skin is removed will never provide a long term result. I think that it is interesting that of the various... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Different stages of aging require different treatments.

Methods for rejuvenating an aging face lie on a continuum. There is no one procedure for all individuals. Most of what you need is dependent on where your face is along this scale. I acknowledge your desire to have minimal down time and no anesthesia but sometimes cutting these corners will leave one dissatisfied with the end result. The rule of thumb is ; mini procedures give mini results. Fillers work great on folds and superficial wrinkles. If what you have is loose hanging skin in the... more
Leslie H. Stevens, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without surgery

Without photos or more detail about what your objectives are, it is difficult to guide you correctly. For patients who seeking subtle changes, a liquid facelift and a medical skin care system such as obagi are possibilities. If the improvement is needed in only a section of the face, a segmental facelift would be better alternative than a mini facelift (such as a lifestyle lift) as it is more cost effective and longer lasting. A segmental facelift can be performed with just... more
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

A mini-facelift is your best option

If you want the best facelift result without general anesthesia, then a mini facelift is your best choice. One of these procedures, such as the LiteLift, Lifestyle Lift, or Quick Lift, will achieve lasting results that cannot be accomplished with injectables and fillers. These procedures are usually done with a local anesthesia and/or oral sedation ("twilight anesthesia") during which you will be relaxed, comfortable, and will feel no pain.
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Options

I have to say I enjoyed your question as to what's the best procedure that acts like a facelift. And of course you know what I'm going to say....A Facelft. While there are many types of facelift as I'm sure you have figured out with your research, their is no non-facelift procedure that does what a facelift does. That does not mean there are not a lot of good nonsurgical rejuvenating things that can be done. The best way to know what will work for you is to have a frank... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Fillers and limited facelifts

Fillers are good procedures to give you a greater degree of plumpness to the face in selected areas, but all of the fillers with the exception of fat will disappear with time, leaving you without any improvement. Fat may be the only filler that will leave you with some improvement since some fat will survive, but not all of it. Surgical lifts, whether they are called signature lifts, contour lifts, lifestyle lifts or image lifts are nothing more than short scar lifts, which any... more
Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift results without a facelift

Hard to say without seeing you in person, but things to consider would be fillers such as Restylane and Sculptra along with chemodenervation agents like Dysport or Botox. In general I tell patients to beware of any surgical procedure that has a catchy marketing name, for the most part, they are lots of hype in an attempt to make a variation of an old procedure sound like something new and improved.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

lvcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Facelifts Without Surgery

There is no such thing as a facelift without surgery. There are “liquid facelifts” that are marketed online as a “non-surgical facelift”. One can use fillers or fat along with Botulinum Toxin Type A to help shape the eyebrows, plump the cheeks, and improve facial shape. If one truly has jowls and facial aging there is no substitution for surgical facial rejuvenation which is a combination of deep layer structure repositioning as well as soft tissue augmentation of the... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without surgery?

First off, a facelift does not require general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with sedation offers a twilight type of anesthesia which is my first choice in doing this procedure. I am not certain but I think that the "signature" lift you refer to is simply a small incision face lift, not dissimilar to other "trademarked" names for small incision lifts. Facial resurfacing and volume augmentation are non incisional procedures which also help... more
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

+1

Minimally invasive facelifts, filler facelifts, fat transfers

A minimally invasive facelift can be done under local anesthesia. You really need a qualified surgeon to examine you to make recommendations. Having said this, I think many of my patients do exceptionally well combining minimally invasive lifts (weekend lift, signature lift, smas plication lifts, s lifts, etc) in combination with volume replacements. Fillers can be synthetic manufactured or you may be able to use your own fat for a very suitable augmentation that looks natural and gives... more
Todd Christopher Hobgood, MD

Phoenix Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Look without Surgery

I am sorry to say that you are a little out of luck to achieve everything you wish. But, you can achieve nice improvements with non-invasive treatments including facial tightening (i.e. Ultherapy), dermal fillers (i.e. Radiesse or Perlane) and Dysport/ Botox. After your wedding you still can consider more. We do not perform facelifts under general anesthesia. But still, you will need to plan for the recovery, usually 12-14 days before you are presentable. (But still not quite ready... more
Frank P. Fechner, MD

Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

+1

From the "liquid facelift" to the full monty - prevention of aging is a lifelong process for looking your best

Restoring the youthfulness of your face can be done with *many* different techniques, and it may be hard to decide which is best for you. Just remember that prevention of aging is key! Protect your skin from the sun, don't smoke, eat healthy, and baby your skin with the help of a skin care expert through a balanced regimen of exfoliation, retinoids, and hydration/moisturization. This will delay your need for surgery. Signs of aging develop slowly as you celebrate more... more
Ariel N. Rad, MD, PhD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without a facelift?

What's the best procedure that works like a facelift with minimum fuss? I am 52 years old and have decided that I want to improve the look of my face. My choices are filler injections or the new signature lift, which takes about 90 minutes. After reading some of the reviews on the injectables, I am a little apprehensive. I have a wedding to attend in July and I want to look my best. Can someone please let me know about the best procedures that I can do that does not require general... more
Rafael C. Cabrera, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Improvement of facial contours using injectable tissue fillers (i.e.,“liquid facelift”) is excellent way to improve / rejuvenate

Improvement of the contours of the face using injectable tissue fillers, popularly known as the “liquid facelift”, is an excellent way to improve and rejuvenate the facial contours without surgery.  A number of different tissue fillers may be used to accomplish this goal.  However, in patients who are apprehensive, my filler of choice would be a hyalauronic acid such as Restylane® or Juvederm®.  These offer rejuvenation of the face that lasts from 10-14... more
Michael R. Macdonald, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmmacdonald.com

+1

Avoid "gimmick" procedures

At 52-years-old I suspect that a facelfit would be very appropriate for you.  I do not, however, recommend any of these gimmick procedures that promise the world with little effort.  Typically these procedures simply tighten the skin which produces a short term result at best and at worst results in horrible scars from placing too much pull on the skin.  If the deep tissue layers aren't separated form their attachments and moved to heal in a new location, don't expect... more
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Rejuvenation Options

You will need to decide what exactly bothers you about your facial appearance and what your expectations are for your result. Then find a reputable expert in your community and educate yourself thoroughly on the available options, which range from non-surgical to surgical, with signficantly different indications and result potentials, as well as varying downtimes and costs. Your principal focus should be on the final result you are seeking as that will determine your... more
Stephan Baker, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift or fakelift?

Sadly, as of 2011, nothing but surgery truly improves jowls and sagging necklines in a meaningful, predictable, and enduring way. Reversing 5-15 years of aging changes takes 5-15 days of recovery time, but that's a pretty good trade! Short of surgery, fillers to the smile lines, puppet lines, cheeks, and jawline can make some pretty amazing improvement, but nothing "picks up" the face as well or predictably as surgery.
Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD

Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.nayakplasticsurgery.com

+1

Facelift without surgery?

A facelift encompasses many aspects which can not be improved with out a surgical lift. It is hard to determine your actual needs without photographs. I would advise you to see a good facial plastic surgeon and express your wants and concerns and see what they advise. Certainly Botox will help eliminate some lines around the eyes and forehead and fillers may be used for some rejuvenation of other lines and wrinkles around the nasolabial area. I would not recommend a lot of fillers in place... more
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without surgery is not a facelift

Only a surgical facelift can give the results of a surgical facelift. While there are many non-surgical procedures that can rejuvenate the face, none can give the dramatic results and longevity of a well-done facelift. I am a big proponent of these non-surgical procedures but, when explaining these  to my patients, I put them on a scale. A facelift is a 10 out of 10 and the results will stand up for years. A combination of  procedures such as Botox, fillers, lasers, Thermage... more
Arie Benchetrit, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without surgery

Before you jump to the quickest minimalistic procedure that is advertised or marketed, I'd advise that you see a plastic surgeon in consultation to assess your individual anatomy and discuss your options.  These quick fixes are not for every face - really the procedure should be tailored to you, and also what aesthetic goals you hope to accomplish.  If you have a lot of hanging skin, extra fat and skin in your neck, or a lot of heavy wrinkles, fillers and shortcut... more
Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Without Surgery? No!

Having said that, you can get improvements in other areas with less downtime and cost. Botulinum (e.g. Botox) can improve wrinkling in the upper face, while soft tissue fillers can improve those in the lower face. Volume with fillers can also enhance your look. Fractionated laser resurfacing can improve skin irregularities and provides limited tightening with about a week of downtime. But if you want your neck and jawline to look sharp and tight, a facelift is absolutely the way to go. I... more
Anand D. Patel, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Options other than surgery

Your question, honestly, is hard to answer without seeing your photos or assessing you in person.  The answers really depend on the details of your facial anatomy, and what has changed, and also on what bothers you the most.  While there are many non-invasive treatments (botox, fillers, lasers, peels), they are not equivalent in their effect to a facelift, even though they might address and correct other appearance issues. I'm not a huge fan of "90 minute... more
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

It Depends

There is no "best" facelift procedure. The "best" for you depends on what you look like now, what you want to look like afterwards, how much you wish to spend, and how much time you have to recover. That being said, plastic surgeons have many techniques available now, such as the MACS-Lift, which are not as expensive and have a shorter recovery. Visit several doctors to gain their recommendations and decide for yourself.
George Sanders, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift without surgery

Over the past 15 years, cosmetic surgeons have gained a much better understanding of the aging process of the face. That is why there is so much discussion about volume restoration with fillers(in office) or fat transfer(in operating room). In office fillers can be a great treatment for someone with limited recovery time, or because of health issues. An individual can achieve some improvement with fillers alone.  Jowls, and excess tissues of the neck can best be treated with a... more
Brian Maloney, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers versus Facelift Without General Anesthesia

It really depends on what you are trying to correct.  Fillers will improve the volume of your face, nasal labial folds, etc.  A facelift can be performed safely with local anesthesia and can help improve the neck, jawline, and change the shape of the face to a more attractive appearance.  Seek a surgeon who will work to customize procedures to your face to give you the right amount of rejuvenation for you based on your age, anatomy, and budget.
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Minimally invasive procedures often produce minimal results

Dear Gatormom - There are many less invasive options for facial rejuvenation. Fillers, botox and lasers have been mentioned and can produce fantastic results in properly selected patients. The key is to find a facial plastic surgeon that will give you an honest assessment of your concerns about your face and the potential of different treatments to help you. The main goal is to find the treatment that is most likely to give you the results that you desire. If that means that you need a... more
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.lonetreefacial.com

+1

Facelifts without surgery- when it sounds too good to be true, it always is

Dear Gator Mom, Here down the street from the "Swamp", I see too many unfortunate people look like they had the "gator chomp" after shortcut procedures. They are very sorry. You have nothing to fear when you have facial rejuvenation performed by an experienced professional. Assembly line surgery should be avoided. In Gainesville, Gators are not only national champions in sports. 
Richard Sadove, MD

Gainesville Plastic Surgeon

www.sadovecosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Facelifts can be done in a variety of ways

A surgeon with expertise can guide you on the best options for facial rejuvenation.  Each case must be considered unique.  You may require filing of lines or restoration of volume or skin tightening.  The exact approach for you will determine the nature of the procedure you require.
Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift alternatives

You are not unique in seeking a less invasive procedure for improving and rejuvenating your face. Your alternatives realy depend on your facial anatomy and your expectations in regards to extent of improvement. Options such as filler injections have a limited benefit and do not truly address neck redundancy and significant jowl formation. Neck liposuction can improve fullness of neck, but will not remove skin excess. Laser treatments are beneficial for improvement of skin tone and texture... more
Maurice M. Khosh, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Face Lift can have less fuss and a good result

For those patients who really are not going to get a good results with an injection treatment because they have gravity and sagging, there are few choices other than some type of face lift. Lasers also will not lift the face significantly. A mini type face lift can be done under local anesthesia with no general anesthesia and usually can be executed in between an hour and two hours. While not as effective as a full face lift it will get you closer to your goals for your event with minimal... more
Andrew Jacono, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelifting without surgery

While the results will not be as dramatic as a facelift, at your age, many patients are pleased with the results oand minimal downtime of the "Thermesse" procedure, combing Thermage and Radiesse for a non-invasive lift which enhamvves collagen remodeling and allows a quick recovery.  Good luck!
W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers and Botox for facelift without surgery

I would not proceed with a full face lift given the time table and the social event that you have. Given all the details,it seems that the best action plan is as follow: 1. Brow lines: Botox and maybe filler.2. Crow feet : Botox3. Laugh lines: fillers Skin resurfacing might also give you an additional tightness. Best of luck!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelifting may require surgery

I would recommend that you look into a cheek lift as this can be done in the office, and is durable, and you should be ready for the wedding in a few weeks. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

No solution for a facelift without surgery

The only thing that will give you a facelift is a facelift. Whether it is done under general anesthesia or local with sedation is up to your surgeon and their anesthesiologist. There is no short-cut facelift such as a Lifestyle lift or a Signature lift that will come even close to a properly done facelift. It is best to do fillers or a properly done facelift, nothing in between works as well.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lift without getting surgery

It sounds like you are looking for a miracle. From reading your question, you basically are seeking a significant improvement in your face with a quick procedure which is non-invasive, has minimal down time and minimal cost. Well, unfortunately, there is nothing that meets your criteria. You can choose one of the quick lift procedures such as the so-called signature lift. However, don't expect much except a similar incision to more comprehensive facelift procedures without the result of... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Depending on your sun and age damage determines surgery

Here's the reality if you need a face lift than only a face lift will do. Fillers are great and in the right hands can give you a rejuvenated look. This "new" procedures are all the same stuff that has been previously touted-the one hour face lift or the lunch time face lift. These are all basically surgery for those that don't need surgery. A standard facelift takes about 1.5-2 hours and the recovery would have you looking great by July if done in June. Remember short-cut... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

I am afraid you start out with unrealistic expectations.

Hi! Remember, why would we do facelifts, if we could get the same results with non invasive procedures? The answer is we cannot get the same results. So you have to have realistic expectations. Depending on your anatomy, you can get a lot of improvement with Botox, fillers like Juvederm or Radiesse (they are safe), and Thermage. In New York City, we do these procedures a lot. Forget about the signature lift. It is a gimmick.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

You always have more than two choices

There seems to be more and more operators trying to market some form of generic lift ( Weekend lift, Lifestyle lift, etc.) However, an experienced plastic surgeon who knows the history of plastic surgery can recall old forms of mini-lifts that have been twisted and turned into new generic names. It seems that you are seeking "facial rejuvenation". The answer to your needs could include a combination of some form of lesser lift combined with injectables, laser, or a major lift... more
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Be specific about your goals with your Surgeon

Hello Gatormom, Good to see that you are doing your research and asking questions prior to undergoing any procedure, but I would offer a little advice to you in going forward. First, you need to make sure that you are specific about your goals with your consulting Surgeon. Fillers and Facelifts do not accomplish the same goals (I realize that this is portrayed that way sometimes but the simple fact is they do not address the same issues and compliment each other rather than replace each... more
Kamran Jafri, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

See a board certified experienced plastic surgeon for an honest opinion

A face lift is a face lift and my 25 years of experience have taught me that fancy names used to describe a facelift are just marketing hype. If you have a wedding in July, filler injections are your best bet. See before and after photos of liquid face lift.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

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