How Long does a Liquid Facelift Last?

As a facial injectable expert in Charlotte, I commonly have patients inquire about a liquid facelift and its longevity.  Before I answer its longevity, I will first define a liquid facelift.

What is a Liquid Facelift?

A liquid facelift is using a combination of non-surgical injectables to lift and add definition to an aging face.  As the name implies, the injectables are a “liquid” or gel composition.

What is the science behind a liquid facelift?

The face ages differently than the body.  As we age, the face goes through many changes.  The face loses fat and bone overtime.  The loss of volume in the face is a deflationary process.  This deflation causes the face to lose definition and sag.  Adding volume to the face will reverse this process to add definition and lift the face.

Volume can also be added to the face to camouflage unflattering characteristics of aging such as the jowl.

What are the common areas that are injected to lift and increase facial definition in my Practice in Charlotte?

The common areas that deflate and sag over time are the:

1)      Cheeks

The cheeks can lose volume in the area underneath the eye or in the area closer to the ear.  As they lose volume, it can cause the area to sag, eye bags to appear, and create shadows in the area.

2)      Temples

The temples lose fat over time and create hollowness in the area.  This creates a narrowing in the top aspect of the head (peanut head) and makes the eyebrow appear shorter and lower.

3)      Corners of the mouth

When the corners of the mouth age, they will begin to sag and create a frowning appearance.

4)      Eyebrows

The fat lost underneath the eyebrows will cause the eyebrows to sag.  As the eyebrows sag, it can make the upper eyelids appear heavy.

5)      Lips

The lips continue to lose fat and thin overtime.

What is injected during a Liquid Facelift to Replace Facial Volume?

There are 2 families of injectables that I use to replace the lost facial volume at Carolina Facial Plastics:

1)      Hyaluranic Acid Fillers

Hyaluranic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body.  Major medical corporations have created an injectable gel composed of hyaluronic acid that can be injected into the face to replace lost volume.  The commonly known hyaluronic acid fillers are Juvéderm, Juvéderm Voluma, Restylane, and Perlane.  The results of these fillers are immediate and fully reversible.

 

2)      Sculptra Aesthetic

Sculpta is poly-l-lactic acid.   Sculptra is a facial injectable that stimulates the face to produce collagen.  This added collagen will add volume to the face.  This creation of new collagen will slowly occur over a few months.

What are the Difference between Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane?

Each of these products is composed of hyaluronic acid but they have distinctly unique qualities.  Their uniqueness can be attributed to different composition of the substances that stabilize the hyaluronic acid.  Typically a product that is more stable will be thicker.  A thicker product may have a greater ability to lift and last longer.  I believe the thicker and longer lasting hyaluronic acid fillers are Juvéderm Voluma and Perlane.   These products are great to lift in areas with thicker skin such as the cheeks, temples and corners of the mouth.

In areas of thinner skin, I prefer a thinner product such as Restylane.  The thinner skin is in areas around the eye and tear trough.   In the lips I like thinner products such as Juvéderm Ultra or Restylane.

How Long does a Liquid Facelift Last?

This answer depends on the product chosen to add volume to the face.  First, patients must understand that all of volume that is added to the face will slowly and gradually go away overtime.

Generally speaking, Sculptra will last around 2 years during a liquid facelift.  Patients can undergo “booster” injections of Scultpra overtime to help maintain the result.

If a hyaluronic acid product is used, the result will last from 9-12 months.  Again, additional injections can be completed overtime to maintain results.

I believe both of these products ultimately create the addition of long term natural collagen that will last for many years.  I have seen patients many years after their liquid facelift that have retained volume from their injections.

How do I Schedule a Liquid Facelift with Facial Injectables in Charlotte?

If you are interested in a liquid facelift performed by a facial plastic surgeon, you can call our office at (704) 842-3644 or fill out the online contact form.