Non-surgical face lifting

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to facelift is plastic surgery. However, not everyone wants and can expose themselves to radical influences. A compromise option in this case is a variety of minimal and non-invasive rejuvenation techniques.

Non-surgical face lifting- this is a whole layer of different procedures that can improve the condition of the skin, get rid of sagging tissues and give clarity to the oval without surgical intervention and the associated difficulties.

The main advantages of these techniques compared to surgery are relatively low cost, low trauma and fewer contraindications. At the same time, with their help, it is not always possible to get such an impressive result as after the operation, and it does not last as long, usually up to 2-3 years, which partially compensates for the profitability.

Basic methods of non-surgical lifting

All non-surgical face lifting procedures can be divided into several large groups:

• Injectable- subcutaneous application of drugs that help to improve the tone and general rejuvenation of the skin. This includes in particular some types of mesotherapy, contouring and plasmolifting
• Hardware- are performed on equipment that uses different types of energy (laser, radio waves, microcurrent, etc. ) to affect the skin.
• Thread lifting– installation of special biocompatible threads under the skin, with the help of which tissues are moved to a new position. Most types of thread lifting are surgical techniques, but their invasiveness and the number of contraindications are significantly lower than in the case of other anti-aging facial surgeries
• Deep peels, in which the upper layers of the dermis are removed. Stimulates skin renewal and thus provides a lifting effect
• Manual practices- various massage techniques aimed at improving the tone of the facial muscle structures and activating the metabolism.

Injection lifting and rejuvenation of the face

One of the safest and most common methods from this group ismesolifting– a variant of mesotherapy with a specially selected complex of active moisturizing and strengthening substances, which activates the process of cell renewal, saturates them with moisture and strengthens local blood circulation. The standard course consists of 3-5 procedures, the duration of the result is from 6 to 18 months. After mesolifting, aging and sagging skin is noticeably smoothed, it looks fresh and young, deep static wrinkles are reduced and small facial wrinkles disappear, the skin is renewed at the cellular level, its color is evened out, turgor and elasticity are improved.

PlasmoliftingorPRP therapyis an injection of the patient's own blood (or rather, plasma that has undergone special pretreatment). The course is 4-5 sessions, the result is preserved for about 1 year. Plasmolifting acts both locally, at the cellular level of the skin, triggering the synthesis of collagen fibers, and has a rejuvenating effect on the entire organism as a whole - it stimulates the immune system, triggers the processes of cell regeneration and renewal. In addition, the plasma, like a biological glue, attaches the facial skin to the underlying structures, eliminating age-related tissue ptosis. After completing the course, the skin is smoothed, becomes more elastic, toned, fine wrinkles disappear, and deep ones decrease.

If meso- and plasmolifting has a complex effect on the whole face, tightening and rejuvenating it, itcontour plastic with fillersAndbotulinum therapydesigned specifically to address specific age-related problems.

• Injections with fillers are designed to fill deep wrinkles, replenish the volume of missing tissues and correct the shape of the face. Today, beauticians have a wide range of products, mainly based on high-density hyaluronic acid, designed to correct certain age-related facial defects.
• Botulinum therapy uses drugs based on botulinum toxin type A, which blocks the nerve endings in the injection area and prevents them from contracting the facial muscles. As a result, the skin is smoothed and even deep mimic wrinkles are reduced or disappear completely.

The effect of contour therapy and botulinum therapy lasts about 8-12 months, depending on the activity of metabolic processes and other individual characteristics of the body.

Hardware tightening methods

How most methods workhardware liftingthe same - the subcutaneous tissue is heated through a targeted action that stimulates the thickening of existing collagen fibers and the production of new collagen and elastin. As a result, wrinkles are smoothed out, pores are narrowed, the skin is tightened and becomes elastic. The main differences between these procedures are what kind of energy is used (laser, radio waves, etc. ) Otherwise, they are very similar: they are carried out in courses of 3-5 sessions, and the duration of the result is about 2 years. Today, the most popular methods are:

• Laser thermolifting– laser energy is used;
• ELOS-lifting- based on the impact of two types of energy at the same time - laser and light;
• Radio frequency (RF) lifting– low power, high frequency radio waves are used.

Another option -microcurrent therapy, – works a little differently. In this case, the skin cells are stimulated by microcurrents and specially developed biological preparations containing strong antioxidants that activate the skin's natural regeneration mechanisms.

The standard course of such non-surgical lifting consists of 4-5 procedures performed once a week. The main advantages of this method include a minimal number of contraindications and complete harmlessness to the body. Microcurrents activate metabolism, normalize the chemical composition of cells and increase the elasticity of tissues - for this reason, they are often used as a restorative procedure after surgical interventions.

Thread lifting

This is a minimally invasive technique in which thin threads are inserted under the skin. They are then pulled up, moving behind them and fixing the soft tissues in the desired position. The procedure is quick and safe, but still quite serious, so it should not be performed by a cosmetologist who works with the "outer part" of the face, but by a plastic surgeon who is well acquainted with its internal structure. Depending on the generalindications and personal preferences of the patient can be used:

• Non-absorbable threads, made of biocompatible materials such as polypropylene.
• Mesonites- are considered slightly less effective, but are made of polylactic acid, which does not remain under the skin, but is completely absorbed after a few months. In addition to actual tightening, they have a beneficial effect on the general condition and health of the skin (similar to mesotherapy, hence the prefix "meso" in the name)

The obtained result lasts an average of 2-3 years, after which you can install additional threads or choose another technique (threads already placed will not interfere with either cosmetic procedures or surgical lifting). Some of the non-resorbable threads can be "tightened" in the future, but there is no consensus among experts about the expediency of such manipulation.

Deep peels

These are quite traumatic and painful, but at the same time very effective procedures, with the help of which you can strengthen the processes of skin regeneration, improve its color, smoothness and elasticity, as well as remove many external defects (hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, andetc. ).

• Duringdeep chemical peelAcid compositions based on phenol are applied to the face, which destroy the upper layers of the skin up to the middle of the reticular layer of the dermis. The procedure is performed only in clinical conditions, under general anesthesia - as a full-fledged operation.
• Deep laser resurfacingcombines two processes: applying thermal microtraumas to the skin, which trigger internal recovery mechanisms in it, and vaporization (evaporation) of old cells. Modern fractional ablation lasers perform both actions simultaneously, allowing you to achieve a more pronounced lifting effect in fewer sessions than with previous generations of lasers.

The recovery period after deep peeling is quite long (rehabilitation takes up to 2 weeks). The effect lasts about 1 year. If we compare the two procedures, laser restoration has one important advantage - the ability to adjust the strength and depth of impact "on the fly". This allows you to choose optimal parameters for each area, even for very sensitive ones (eyelids, lips, neck), which is impossible to achieve with a chemical peel. In addition, the cooling system makes it less painful, allowing the use of local anesthesia.

Massage as a method of non-surgical face lifting

With the help of manual influence, it is also possible to achieve a certain lifting effect, although among experts there are very different opinions about its severity and duration. The most popular procedure from this group isfacial sculpting massage(plasticizing massage, face massage according to Joelle Siocco and other author's techniques).

The principle of its action is based on deep strength training of facial and non-facial muscles with simultaneous activation of lymphatic drainage. The massage therapist "sculpts" the contours of the face, correcting problem areas. As a result, the oval becomes clearer, the manifestations of age-related changes are reduced, muscle tension is relieved and skin color is improved.

The standard course is 10-12 sessions that take place every 2-3 days. Additional maintenance procedures are required 2-3 times a month, which is a relative disadvantage of this method of non-surgical lifting. The obvious advantages of sculptural massage are painlessness, complete safety, no rehabilitation period, no risk of complications, no skin irritation. The obvious disadvantage is that the results are significantly less pronounced compared to other procedures described above.

How to choose the best non-surgical facelift technique?

In order to smooth out and possibly completely eliminate the signs of aging, it is necessary to establish the reasons for their appearance. This unique diagnosis is one of the main tasks of a cosmetic or plastic surgeon. It is to him that the choice of a specific method of rejuvenation or their combination should be entrusted. In the case of a person, the question is usually:How "deep" are age-related changes localized?

• If they mainly affect the skin - e. g. We are talking about small wrinkles, changes in the relief, reduced turgor - preference is given to methods that affect the dermal layer (restoration, compaction, strengthening of the elastin-collagen framework, polishing of existing defects). Peelings, thermolifting, plasma therapy, mesolifting are used for this purpose.
• For problems with the subcutaneous structures of the face (deep wrinkles, pronounced nasolacrimal furrows, jowls, bags under the eyes, loss of clarity of the oval of the face, double chin) choose methods that affect the muscular framework and the hypodermis. These include thread lifting, botulinum therapy, contouring, microcurrent and sculpting massage.
• In many cases, the changes affect both the skin and internal structures, then a thoughtful combination of several rejuvenation techniques is needed to achieve a pronounced effect.

The opinion of the experts

Journalists asked leading cosmetologists to comment on the effectiveness of using some non-surgical options for face lifting and also turned to plastic surgeons for a professional opinion:

1. "The question is much simpler than it might seem. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of technique, not to undergo surgery earlier than necessary, but also not to spend more than expected in the offices of cosmetologists, you need to understand only three things:

   • Soft tissue condition, degree of ptosis.If the age-related changes have not gone too far, we can talk about non-surgical solutions. If we are talking about pronounced folds and rather large excess skin, do not waste time and money on cosmetology, do not engage in self-deception. Excess skin will not disappear on its own, it can only be removed with a scalpel, and only a plastic surgeon will help you here.
   • Age.Up to the age of 40 (most often) cosmetic procedures work quite well. After 40, their effect becomes less and less noticeable, and after 50, if you need a real effect, and not just care, you should seriously think about surgery.
   • Patient wishes.Only you determine who to go to and what you need. Not all women want to look 10-20 years younger, for many it is important to simply look well-groomed and fresh enough for their age. This problem can be solved without surgery. Dull skin color, sagging, fine lines, age spots, etc. – cosmetologists cope well with all these problems. But if you are not satisfied with sagging facial contours, drooping eyelids, jowls, bags under the eyes, double chin or neck folds, only contact a surgeon.

   If you need a very small facelift, consider a vector lift with different threads or contour plastic surgery. By repeating these procedures 1-2 times a year, you can postpone the operation for several years. You yourself will be able to understand when the obtained effect no longer suits you and it is time to think about more radical methods.

2. "Non-surgical methods, of course, will not replace plastic surgery, but they are a good means of prevention and can delay a visit to the surgeon for a long time. Perhaps it is advisable for women to resort to gentle lifts (hardware cosmetology) from the age of 25. Almost any of the methods listed in the article can help with some subtle age-related changes. Our specialists use some of these procedures independently, but most often as part of a comprehensive program.

   Thus, after surgical lifting, stagnation may appear, which is easily treated with the help of microcurrents. Contour plastic surgery with fillers allows you to correct minor age-related changes, but in this case, plasma fillers (similar to hyaluronic acid fillers, which are produced from the patient's own blood) have proven better.

   Preparations with botulinum toxin A, of course, give good results and it is impossible to replace them with analogues. RF lifting also gives a good effect both for the prevention of aging and for maintenance therapy after plastic surgery. But phenol peeling is not used in our clinic due to its traumatic nature.

   A significant advantage of non-surgical lifting procedures is that they can be recommended to patients at a fairly young age, with subtle age-related changes. For example, a gentle alternative to blepharoplasty can be plasma, laser or radiofrequency lifting, as well as mesonics - what exactly to choose depends on the "weight" of the skin, the depth of wrinkles, the age of the patient and the presence of certain contraindications. "

3. "I would like to note right away that, of course, none of the minimally invasive techniques can compete in terms of effectiveness with surgical operations. However, it often happens that the patient's state of health does not allow him to take such a step, or the specific situation does not yet require surgical intervention. In these cases, minimally invasive cosmetology comes to the rescue.

   Thread lift, laser face lift, and radio frequency face lift techniques can delay the need for surgery and serve as a type of temporary replacement for surgical face lift techniques. Botulinum therapy and fillers can get rid of wrinkles. Plasmolifting improves skin turgor and its general condition. Peeling is also responsible for the turgor, color and quality of the skin. These procedures are effective in their field of action, but they are not a direct alternative to plastic surgery.

   The clinic performs almost all the procedures described in the article, but each of them has both indications and contraindications. In particular, for patients who come to us for a total face lift, I recommend a plasma lift before and after surgery, which allows us to shorten the rehabilitation period. But it is not worth doing hardware procedures for rejuvenation before the operation.

4. "Currently, there are a large number of effective methods of non-surgical facial rejuvenation, but it is important to understand the difference in the abilities of a plastic surgeon and a cosmetologist. The surgeon creates the contour of the face, the cosmetologist improves the quality of the skin. And aging is expressed in loose skin and muscles, a decrease in skin tone and deterioration of its quality. In total, there are about 5 types of aging, depending on their manifestations, and a rejuvenation program is being developed, including with the help of non-surgical techniques.

   Today, I consider the most effective apparatus procedures (laser fractional photothermolysis, laser thermolifting), RF lifting, as well as contour plastic and lifting with threads. But it must be honestly noted that with severe ptosis and a large amount of subcutaneous fat, all types of hardware lifting are ineffective, since they affect the deep layers of the skin without affecting its surface. Also, the so-called 3D modeling of the face is very popular and effective, which uses a set of measures: contouring, thread lifting, botulinum therapy.

   In general, we have a fairly large selection of minimally invasive facelift methods in our arsenal, but an integrated approach is always required for the best results. A single method, no matter how good, cannot solve all problems. "