LIQUID FACELIFT

There are a few things to consider when choosing between a liquid and surgical facelift.

For one, the results of a liquid facelift procedure are immediate and come with little to no downtime, aside from the potential for swelling and bruising. This nonsurgical procedure can also be done much more quickly, and the up-front cost is often more affordable.

That being said, a liquid facelift may require a large amount of filler, and the cost of injectables can add up quickly and run into the thousands of dollars. Results aren’t permanent, and when you factor in the cost of touch-ups, going the nonsurgical route could end up being as expensive as mini facelift surgery within a few years.

It’s also important to understand that the term “liquid facelift” is a bit of a misnomer. While an artfully performed nonsurgical procedure can create a noticeable improvement in the right patient, injectables can’t lift the tissues to an appreciable degree: only a surgical procedure can truly address moderate to severe sagging and reduce excess skin. 

Related: Can Cheek Fillers Really Lift the Face? Experts Weigh In

If more severe jowls and sagging are concerns for you, a surgical facelift that lifts both the underlying facial structure and skin (while removing excess tissue) will give you the best result. 

And if you’re not sure where you fall on the spectrum, it can be helpful to consult with more than one reputable provider who offers both treatment options, so you can compare their recommended treatment plans.

Pros

• This nonsurgical treatment can make people look younger and more refreshed almost immediately. 
• It’s less invasive and expensive than a surgical facelift, which typically comes with at least two weeks of downtime.
• It can restore lost volume, which a surgical facelift cannot do. 
• Aside from minor bruising and swelling, there’s little to no downtime. 
• It has an unusually high satisfaction rate: 95% of reviewers on RealSelf say a liquid facelift is “Worth It.”

Cons

• Liquid facelift results are temporary. Fillers typically last one to two years (depending on the type), and the effects of Botox wear off within three to four months, for most people.
• You may need to combine it with complementary procedures that tighten and tone skin to get the result you want, which will add to the cost.  
• Injectables can’t deliver the same kind of dramatic change as a surgical facelift, which can lift muscles, reposition fat pads, and smooth sagging skin while removing excess tissue.
• A liquid facelift for jowls, depending on their severity, may not offer as noticeable results as surgery would.
• Even nonsurgical treatments come with risks. See more on safety below. 
• Results are extremely injector-dependent. It’s not uncommon for providers to overdo it, causing filler fatigue and a distorted appearance.
• Non-hyaluronic acid fillers, like Sculptra and Radiesse, may complicate future facelifts by creating scar tissue and fusing tissue planes. Discuss these risks with your doctor.

• Average Cost:
• $3,100

• Range:
• $1,800 - $4,000

The price you pay will depend on: 

• The type and volume of fillers and neuromodulator you get
• Your provider's experience level and practice location
• Whether you have any complementary skin tightening or resurfacing procedures

You'll also need to anticipate the price of follow-up appointments for maintenance.

Ask your provider for an all-in cost estimate after you've agreed on a treatment plan. If it's beyond your budget, keep in mind that it's safer to reconsider the type of procedure you'll get or to discuss payment plans than to go with a less experienced provider who may be offering a deal. Choose an experienced injector who has an intimate understanding of facial anatomy and how to avoid side effects. The risks of a poorly done procedure aren't worth saving a little money.

See our complete guide to liquid facelift costs

The liquid facelift photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

The best candidates for the liquid facelift have good skin elasticity and minimal sagging, but want to address some combination of slight jowls, fine lines, wrinkles, volume loss in the cheeks, and crow's-feet.

The procedure is usually done on people in their late 30s or 40s, often to delay the need for a surgical facelift.

If you have more severe jowls and sagging skin (particularly in the lower face and neck), with deep folds and wrinkles, you may want to consider plastic surgery. A liquid facelift procedure with filler alone doesn’t tighten skin or remove excess tissue.

Here’s what to expect during this cosmetic procedure.

• First, your provider will ask about your concerns and goals, examine your face, and propose a treatment plan. This is the time to ask how many syringes or units they plan to use and get an estimated total cost before you move forward.
• Then they'll apply a topical numbing agent and let it sit for about an hour. 
• After removing the numbing cream, they will thoroughly disinfect your face.
• Next, your injector may mark the injection sites, to ensure precision. 
• Once you’re numb, your provider will perform the injections using a filler that’s appropriate for each treatment area—typically the temples, jawline and chin, cheekbones, and the under-eye hollows as well as the midface, if you've begun to lose volume there. This can be done with a thin needle or a slightly larger cannula, to minimize bruising and swelling.
• After the filler is injected, your provider may gently massage the area so the filler settles smoothly. 
• Then they’ll treat you with Botox or another neuromodulator, to relax wrinkles, as well as any complementary procedures. They may be injected across the forehead, around the eyes to treat crow’s feet, above the upper lip, in the chin, and throughout the neck.

A full liquid facelift may be spread over several appointments, spaced a couple weeks apart. It’s often best to build volume gradually and allow time for products to settle before adding more. 

You'll have some mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treated areas, but most people can return to their normal activities within 48 hours. 

The extent of bruising and swelling will depend on how your body reacts as well as the volume of gel injected and number of injection sites. Learn how to reduce swelling from fillers. 

You can resume exercise the following day, after the filler has settled; any sooner, and you risk increased swelling and bruising.

FDA-approved fillers are considered very safe in the hands of an experienced injector, but they do have a handful of potential adverse side effects. These include bruising, lumps and bumps, and the Tyndall effect, a bluish discoloration under the skin that’s seen after some HA-filler treatments.

A more rare but serious complication is vascular occlusion, which can occur when filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel. Here's what you need to know about this risk.

Allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid-based fillers are extremely rare, but they are possible, especially with biostimulatory fillers like Bellafill.

A more common risk of liquid facelifts is a bloated or unnatural appearance—what’s known as filler fatigue. Achieving a lifting effect from filler requires large quantities of gel, which can over-inflate the face. In this 2015 study of the “liquid lift,” 8 milliliters of HA filler were injected on each side of the face (16 syringes total!). Not only is this quantity extremely expensive—particularly when administered on a routine basis—but it can cause distortion and an odd, doughy appearance. It can also clog the lymphatic channels of the face, leading to persistent puffiness and discoloration, and even affecting the way the facial muscles move over time. 

Responsible injectors generally take a far more conservative approach to dermal fillers. Be sure to see a highly trained nurse injector or a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who uses only FDA-approved fillers.

A liquid facelift lasts one to two years if HA fillers were used. How long your results last will depend on the products used, how much was injected, where it was placed, and how your body metabolizes it. 

Fillers like Sculptra, which contains poly-L-lactic acid, stimulate new collagen production and have more long-term benefits than their hyaluronic acid–based counterparts.

Spring, Texas, plastic surgeon Dr. Young R. Cho explains filler longevity using “the analogy of a glass of water. If you come to visit and the glass is one-quarter full, or three-quarters empty, then we need three-quarters to fill it up. In six months, you may notice the glass is three-quarters full—i.e., you lost a quarter of the glass volume. At one year, you may notice that the glass is half full. At 18 to 24 months, you may notice that you are back to where you started.”

Remember, you will continue to age after your liquid facelift, as collagen and elastin break down, fat atrophies, and tissues sag. You can address changes with touch-up appointments, to maintain your results. At some point, however, you may want to consider consulting with a plastic surgeon for a more long-term solution. 

King M. Management of Tyndall Effect. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016 Nov;9(11):E6-E8. Epub 2016 Nov 1. PMID: 28210392; PMCID: PMC5300720.

de Felipe I, Redondo P. The Liquid Lift: Looking Natural Without Lumps. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015 Jul-Sep.

Luebberding, Stefanie, and Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas. “Critical Appraisal of the Safety of Dermal Fillers: A Primer for Clinicians.” Current Dermatology Reports, Current Science Inc., 22 Mar. 2013.