Which cost effective procedure would lift and tighten my lower face? (photos)

Based on the information you've provided and the limited photos available, a deep plane facelift could be a highly effective and long-lasting solution for addressing sagging and laxity in the lower face. This technique allows me to lift and reposition the deeper facial tissues in a natural way, offering significant improvement, especially along the jawline and around the mouth. Your history of Sculptra treatments doesn’t pose a problem, but proper surgical planning would take that into account. That said, the current photos are not sufficient for a thorough evaluation — to give you a precise recommendation, I would need clearer, multi-angle images or ideally an in-person consultation.

Unlike other tightening treatments, Ultherapy only requires a single treatment every one to two years and has long-term effects in skin stimulation and collagen production. Ultherapy is ideal for men and women who are experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity and desire a noticeable and long-term skin tightening treatment without the complications and risks of more invasive surgical procedures. Ultherapy can be combined with dermal fillers, Botox treatments, chemical peels, skin tightening lasers, and skin facials. Our plastic surgery and cosmetic center in Santa Monica offers Ultherapy as a complement to other skin treatments and cosmetic rejuvenation procedures.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs. The laxity lateral to the corner of the mouth and in the submental region is often best addressed with a deep plane facelift using a more vertical vector. This approach typically involves placing the scars along the edge of the temporal hairline to achieve a natural and effective lift.

To maintain the results of the procedure, it is crucial to incorporate sunblock into your daily routine if you do not already do so. Protecting your skin from UV exposure helps preserve the quality of the outcome and supports overall skin health.

Additionally, Sculptra can be used post-operatively to enhance facial contours. However, it is important to note that Sculptra provides volume augmentation rather than skin tightening, so it complements but does not replace the effects of surgical intervention.

An option for you to consider that is very cost effective is a lip lift. A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. This will also help the marionettes deformities. This takes 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $3,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Based on these photos it seems that anterior neck lift would be one of the options to consider. In person or teleconference consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in neck/face lifts is recommended. Good luck.

My first patient yesterday had exactly the same issue and was treated with a robust HA lifting filler injected at the angle of the mouth, which both straightened the angles of the mouth, but eliminated the marionette jowls. The procedure takes between five to ten minutes, the results immediate, and there is little to no significant post-treatment downtime. Unlike Sculptra, the treatment is typically less expensive, the results of treatment are immediate, three treatment sessions are not required, and should there be any unwanted or untoward reactions, HA fillers can be dissolved quite readily with hyaluronidase. You would be wise to make sure to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert and best of luck.

Nonsurgical treatments with micro-needling and radiofrequency work well to help tighten and help keep tight your face and neck. Sculptra can also be added with the micro-needling at the same treatment. The surgical options you might consider is a mini facelift.

Based on these very limited photographs, a lower face and neck lift is going to be required to tighten loose facial and neck skin, tightening loose facial and neck muscles underneath the skin, lift the jowls, and remove any fat deposits in the neck, which also includes a platysma plasty to significantly improve your jawline.

Based on the poster photos, the best option in my opinion as a mini face neck lift with SMAS plication with Endo delay treatment fee $8000-$12,000. Best of virtual consult with.