Can an early facelift be better than fillers?

Question

Hi, I am 42 years old and am starting to notice the facial "drooping" associated with aging. I had a consult and was recommended fillers, and my questions are 1) would having a mini-facelift now instead, and every several years, assure a more natural result over time and 2) if I did have fillers now and wanted a facelift later, would the presence of filler make it more difficult to know where to place things during surgery. Thank you

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

The answer to your question depends on how much “drooping” you have. If you have reached the point where you have jowls or loose neck skin, then surgery is the best option. If you just feel that your face looks a little lower than it used to, you may be able to benefit from a liquid facelift with fillers. However, these can be quite expensive to maintain over time and will eventually be inadequate.
In contrast, a Mini Lift or Facelift gives a dramatic rejuvenation that can turn back the clock by 5 to 10 years and last for that long as well – which means you shouldn't have more than one surgery per decade or so. Generally, it is fine to have a lift after using fillers, but you should always alert your facial plastic surgeon to any prior work or treatments you've had done. I hope this helps.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

In our practice, we perform a non-surgical face lift / skin resurfacing treatment using Renuvion Helium Plasma Radiofrequency. ​To get the most improvement with skin tightening, we combine Renuvion (formerly J-Plasma) with lasers (Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, CO2), microneedling/PRP, Ultherapy and InMode FaceTite. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer​​​​

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

It depends on what concerns you now.  If you have jowls, neck bands, or ptotic cheek tissues, fillers will generally not work and I would recommend a lift.  However for loss of volume in your cheeks, lips or mild nasolabial folds or marionette lines, fillers should be fine.  Fillers will not affect your ability to get a proper lift when the time comes.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Fillers and energy sources such as RF can buy time and get improvements but will not tighten muscle or remove excess skin and reposition tissueThe LiteLift&trade; provides:

less
scaring (short scar technique)

a
quicker recovery

no need
for general anesthesia

a more
natural look (pull is vertical in direction)

Not everyone requires a traditional facelift to
provide beautiful, long lasting results. The LiteLift&trade; is a minimally invasive
option that addresses aging of the face and neck. Patients are offered a
personalized experience from their first consultation, through recovery and on.

How does the LiteLift&trade;
differ from a mini facelift?

“Mini Facelift” is a generalized “catch all” term that
can mean different things depending on the doctor you ask. This often makes the
real definition difficult for a patient to pin down. It typically only
addresses the skin. The, LiteLift&trade;, however, addresses the deeper muscle layer
providing the patient with a thorough, natural, long lasting result.

Who are the best
candidates?

Any healthy individual wishing to address the signs of
laxity oraging in the lower face and neck. Anyone interested in a refreshed
look. This can be from weight loss, genetics and family traits, or aging.

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing.  "Lifting" and "fillers" complement one another.  If you are at the point that fillers are not producing the desired result then it may be time for some type of Lifting.  Lifting will help the "sags and bags" and Fillers will help the "fine lines and wrinkles".  A mini lift should not be repeated every several years as that is too frequent.  Normally, fillers prior to a facelift would not make the procedure any more difficult.  Consult with several experienced board certified surgeons for opinions.

Winfield Hartley, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

At your age, it is likely that you could benefit from either facial fillers or a facelift, or even a combination of both.  Many patients choose fillers early on to postpone the need for surgical intervention, but some patients with early aging changes in their faces do just the opposite,,,have a mini facelift now and maintain the results with fillers and botox.  A BCPS can best advise you as your options.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

I think you should have the fillers before you consider surgery. I don’t recommend having a mini-facelift “every several years” because it is a surgical procedure that has its associated risks, and you may not want to go through the surgery and recovery repeatedly. It’s more prudent to opt for nonsurgical treatments if surgery isn’t necessary. Then, once the sagging becomes moderate to severe, surgery may be considered as an option. Fillers can achieve very natural-looking results.Hyaluronic acid based fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, only last a few months. A facelift may be safely and effectively performed once the results of a filler treatment disappear.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

A face lift is a powerful surgical procedure to rejuvenate the face with a long lasting effect. Flllers can also rejuvenate the face, special in young and middle age patients ( e.g. early 40s) but the effects are limited to 1 or 2 years ( with US FDA approved fillers).Facelift or mini lifts are not generally recommended before age 50 since they could leave a really visible scar in front of the ear, thus causing stress due to the "facelift stigmata" (scars after 50 years old heal very inconspicuous).Young and middle age patients should consider rejuvenating their face with fillers or other minimally invasive modalities ( like facial implants) before reaching age of 50

Bahman Guyuron, MD · Answer

It is better to have a facelift as soon as there are enough changes to make it worthwhile for a variety of reasons. You will enjoy the results for a longer period since the rejuvenated years will be with you for the rest of your life. For example if you erase 10 years of aging, you will always look 10 years younger. Second, you are young and healthy and the surgery is less risky. Additionally, your results will look more natural. Furthermore, the change is not drastic enough to be obvious that you have undergone surgery. Also, having been doing this surgery for 35 years I am convinced that it slows down aging but I do not have any scientific evidence to offer. Finally, the base age will be more desirable, meaning if you erase 10 years you will look 32 years old. In 10 years from the surgery you will look 42 years old and if you undergo another surgery in 10 years form now you will return to 32. Is that not better than going from 60 to 50, if you wait that long?Yes, whenever you have fillers in your face it creates a moving target for us. We can never be sure how much of it has dissolved. We can dissolve the HA type fillers using enzymes but the other fillers will be unpredictable and would create a challenge in judgement as to what needs to be done.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are a candidate for a Mini-Facelift. My favorite technique is the MACS short scar Mini-Facelift. Developed in Europe, it is the ideal approach for the younger patient, not ready for a full facelift, or patients who desire a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time. Check out the link below to an article I wrote about the subject. Good luck.

Can an early facelift be better than fillers?

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