Discover the Magic of Non-Surgical Facelifts: Rejuvenate Without the Scalpel

December 14, 2023

In the pursuit of a fresh, youthful look, you might be wondering whether you’d benefit most from a non-surgical treatment or facial plastic surgery. While facelift surgery can achieve dramatic results and remains one of the most popular surgical options for facial rejuvenation, it’s not the ideal path for everyone. Factors such as the cost, downtime and invasiveness of surgery can be significant deterrents for many.

This is where advancements in non-surgical facial rejuvenation come into play, revolutionizing the way we approach facial aging and presenting a world of possibilities for those seeking less invasive alternatives. Dr. Kimberly Short specializes in finding the right combination of non-surgical solutions for each patient to address facial sagging and much more, providing unique benefits beyond what a surgical facelift could achieve.

Combining the Liquid Facelift and Aesthetic Technologies for Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation

A key player in the arena of non-surgical facial rejuvenation is the “liquid facelift.” This term refers to a meticulously crafted combination of injectables, which may include dermal fillers, muscle relaxants and fat dissolvers, that work harmoniously to lift, plump, smooth and slim the face and neck. At The Gillian Institute, our non-surgical facelift techniques extend beyond the liquid facelift; Dr. Short strategically combines these injectable treatments with cutting-edge aesthetic technologies like ultrasound energy and lasers to tighten and renew the skin.

Combining the appropriate treatments allows Dr. Short to address a range of concerns, from skin laxity and volume loss to fine lines and hyperpigmentation. This achieves comprehensive facial rejuvenation beyond the lifting and tightening of facelift surgery, and it’s all done without the need for incisions, general anesthesia or downtime.

Radiesse®: The Deep Volumizer

Radiesse stands out in the world of injectable dermal fillers for its robust, deep filler capabilities. This allows it to be particularly effective in structural and volume augmentation to enhance the contours of your face.

Radiesse® can achieve the following:

Cheek Augmentation: Significantly enhances cheek volume, giving a lifted and youthful appearance
Brow Lift: Lifts and defines the brow area, contributing to a more alert and refreshed look
Smoothed Nasolabial Folds: Effectively smooths out these lines for more youthful skin
Smoothed Marionette Lines: Helps lift and smooth the lines that extend downward from the corners of the mouth
Tear Trough/Under-Eye Revitalization: Works wonders in the tear trough area, reducing under-eye hollows and tiredness
Chin Volume Enhancement: Subtly brings forward the chin, enhancing facial harmony
Jawline and Neckline Definition: Smooths the jawline and neck area, providing a more defined and elegant facial structure

Juvéderm®: The Lip and Mouth Rejuvenator

Juvéderm is a renowned hyaluronic acid filler known for its efficacy in enhancing the lips and rejuvenating the skin around the mouth. There are various Juvéderm formulations, including Juvéderm Ultra and Ultra Plus, each designed for specific enhancement and rejuvenation purposes.

Juvéderm® can achieve the following:

Defined Lip Borders: Prevents lipstick bleed and defines the lip contour
Lip Volume Enhancement: Adds fullness, creating plumper, more youthful lips
Smoothed Perioral Lines: Smooths out fine “smoker’s” or “lipstick” lines around the lips
Smoothed Nasolabial Folds: Fills moderate to severe “smile lines” around the mouth
Lifted Mouth Corners: Lifts the corners of the mouth, countering the appearance of sadness or tiredness

Restylane®: The Versatile Skin Enhancer

Restylane is a line of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers known for their versatility in addressing various facial aging concerns. Its unique formulations are designed to target specific areas, making it a favorite for both subtle enhancements and more noticeable corrections.

Restylane® fillers can achieve the following:

Fuller Lips: Enhances lip volume for a fuller, more defined appearance
Smoothed Perioral Lines: Smooths out fine lines around the mouth
Smoothed Nasolabial Folds: Effectively softens these folds, creating a smoother transition from the nose to the mouth
Smoothed Marionette Lines: Fills in these lines, reducing the appearance of a downturned mouth
Tear Trough/Under-Eye Revitalization: Adds volume and reduces hollows or dark circles under the eyes
Cheek Augmentation: Adds volume to the cheeks, enhancing facial contours and reducing the appearance of sagging or flattened cheeks
Jawline Contouring: Enhances the jawline, providing a more defined and youthful appearance
Hand Rejuvenation: Addresses aging signs on the hands by restoring volume and smoothness

Revanesse® Versa: The Precision Filler

Revanesse Versa is a multi-purpose hyaluronic acid dermal filler that prioritizes precision in treating fine lines and wrinkles, offering a smoother and more youthful skin texture. Its formulation is designed to provide balanced and natural-looking results for an extended period.

Revanesse® Versa can achieve the following:

Smoothed Nasolabial Folds: Fills moderate to severe cases of these folds
Smoothed Perioral Lines: Adds volume to smooth these fine lines around the mouth
Tear Trough/Under-Eye Revitalization: Provides a subtle and precise correction for under-eye hollows and fine lines
Subtle Facial Contouring: Enhances facial contours with precision while allowing you to maintain natural facial expressions

Botox®/Dysport®/Xeomin®: The Upper Facial Wrinkle Relaxers

These treatments, known as neuromodulators, are synonymous with wrinkle reduction for the forehead, eyebrow and eye areas. Botox, Dysport and Xeomin all work by relaxing the muscles in these areas that cause wrinkles, allowing the skin to smooth out.

These neuromodulators can address the following:

Horizontal Forehead Lines: Smooth out lines across the forehead
Frown Lines: Particularly effective between the brows to soften the “11” wrinkles
Crow’s Feet: Target the outer eye area to prevent and reduce crow’s feet
Drooping Brows: Offer a subtle lift to the brows, enhancing the eye area

Lipodissolve/Mesotherapy: Sculpting the Lower Neck

Lipodissolve, or mesotherapy, is a targeted injectable treatment for the lower neck area. This mixture of enzymes, hormones and vitamins breaks down fat cells, resulting in their natural elimination from the body.

Lipodissolve can achieve the following:

Fat Dissolution: Effectively dissolves fat in the lower neck
Mild Skin Tightening: Subtly tightens the skin, enhancing the jawline and neck contour

Kybella®: The Double Chin Solution

Kybella is specifically designed to remove fat under the chin (submental area). The treatment reduces chin fullness and addresses the dreaded “double chin” to improve your overall facial profile.

Kybella® can achieve the following:

Submental Fat Elimination: Permanently removes fat cells from beneath the chin

Ultherapy®: The Non-Surgical Lifting Technique

Ultherapy uses advanced ultrasound technology to target the deeper layers of the skin and the foundational layer of tissue, which are typically addressed manually in facelift surgery. This energy, delivered non-invasively, triggers the body’s natural healing process, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin gradually lifts and tightens, leading to a more youthful and refreshed appearance without surgery.

Ultherapy® can lift and tighten the following areas:

Eyebrows
Around the Eyes
Cheeks
Around the Mouth
Jawline
Under the Chin (Submental Area)
Neck
Chest/Décolletage

Laser Resurfacing: The Skin Renewal Expert

Laser skin resurfacing is a powerful technique for facial rejuvenation, utilizing concentrated light beams to target and improve various skin concerns. There are different types of lasers, including ProFractional, BroadBand Light and Erbium lasers, each suited for specific skin types and issues.

Laser skin resurfacing can achieve the following:

Texture and Tone Improvement: Enhances overall skin texture and tone, addressing issues like sun damage and uneven pigmentation
Wrinkle Reduction: Effectively reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and mouth
Scar and Blemish Minimization: Helps in reducing the visibility of scars, including acne scars, and other skin blemishes
Collagen Stimulation: Promotes collagen production, leading to firmer, more resilient skin over time

When to Schedule Your Treatments: Timing Matters

Combining Injectables for a Liquid Facelift

When planning your journey through non-surgical facial rejuvenation, understanding the timing and coordination of various treatments is critical. Often, different injectables can be used in tandem to enhance their effects. For example, combining dermal fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane with muscle relaxants like Botox or Dysport allows for a comprehensive approach, addressing static and dynamic wrinkles in one session. This technique can target multiple areas simultaneously, such as using fillers for cheek augmentation and lip enhancement while applying Botox to soften forehead lines.

Combining Laser Resurfacing and Injectables

When integrating injectables with laser resurfacing treatments, careful consideration is required. The type of injectable and laser treatment, the specific areas being treated, and your skin’s unique characteristics play a significant role in determining whether these treatments can be performed together or should be spaced apart. The general protocol involves sequential treatments rather than simultaneous ones because laser resurfacing, known for its intensity, necessitates a healing period where the skin is particularly sensitive. If injectables are introduced too soon after a laser treatment, it could hinder the healing process and lead to complications.

The recommended gap between these procedures can vary. Typically, we advise a waiting period of two weeks to a month, allowing your skin to recover fully from laser treatment before introducing injectables. This approach minimizes the risk of adverse reactions and promotes optimal aesthetic outcomes.

Leave the Planning to Our Professionals at The Gillian Institute

Ultimately, each treatment plan should be uniquely tailored to your needs and goals. During your consultation, Dr. Short will assess your specific situation, advise on the best course of action, and develop a personalized treatment schedule to safely and effectively achieve your desired results.

Ready to Revitalize Your Look Without Surgery?

Each of these treatments has unique benefits, and finding the right combination can address virtually all of your concerns to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Why wait when you can refresh your appearance without surgery or extensive downtime (and, in many cases, without any downtime!)?

At The Gillian Institute, we understand that every face is unique. Our expert team is committed to working with you to design a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your aesthetic goals. Let us guide you through your options and help you achieve the radiant, youthful look you desire.

Schedule your virtual consultation or in-person visit with Dr. Kimberly Short at our Indianapolis medical center today!