The physical aging process happens everywhere on the body, but most of us tend to focus on the face when it comes to slowing down how our body ages over time. Today, dermal fillers, facelift surgery, and other options help Atlanta, GA, men and women reduce wrinkles and tighten their skin.
But these popular treatments aren’t complete equals. So what are their benefits and their limitations? And which one is the better option for you? Let’s evaluate the clash of these facial rejuvenation titans.
When Should You Get a Facelift?
A surgical facelift is the go-to option for deep and lasting facial rejuvenation. The procedure doesn’t just tighten skin, although a tighter-looking result is certainly a selling point. Facelift surgery also lifts the muscles and underlying structures of the skin, creating a deep improvement that looks natural and lasts for a long time.
A facelift can be customized to match each patient’s distinct requests. For example, fat can be removed or repositioned during facelift surgery, adding attractive, younger-looking fullness throughout the face. Facelift surgery can also lift and tighten the neck, an area where many people see the very first or most significant signs of aging. You can learn more about facelift surgical techniques in this related blog post.
Check out what’s possible in our gallery of before-and-after photos.
Facelift surgery requires a consultation with one of our surgeons. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your specific goals. Your surgeon will make a recommendation about the treatment most likely to give you the results you want. Although a typical facelift costs several thousand dollars, it can create results that last for about a decade.
What Can Dermal Fillers Do?
Dermal fillers are injectable products that add volume to areas of the face where it’s missing. Common treatment areas include the nasolabial folds, small lines around the mouth, the cheeks, the lips, and the chin.
There are lots of FDA-approved fillers available, and each is formulated to achieve a specific outcome. Most fillers are made from a smooth gel formulation of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring component of healthy skin and tissues.
As the body ages, hyaluronic acid production slows down, contributing in part to the appearance of sagging, loose skin. Fillers can help replenish skin, softening and reducing the look of wrinkles and adding projection to help restore the fullness of youth.
Although fillers are non-surgical and administered in a fairly simple office visit, they don’t last forever. The longevity of your filler results depends on the specific products used as well as where on your face they’ve been placed. In areas that move more frequently (such as around the mouth), fillers tend to have shorter-lived results—as few as several months. The longest-lasting fillers can last for more than 2 years.
What is the best procedure to make your face look younger?
While fillers are great for reducing mild signs of aging or targeting specific wrinkles, facelift surgery is still the preferred option for significant tightening and smoothing. Although the “sticker price” of facelift is higher than that of filler treatment, the costs incurred by regular filler maintenance procedures will eventually match and possibly exceed the cost of a facelift.
Regardless of the option you choose, it’s important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon—or an injector who is supervised by one—for the best results.
To see potential results with both facelift and fillers, view our gallery of real patients’ before-and-after photos.
To find out more about which approach works best for you, request a consultation online with an experienced Atlanta facelift surgeon. Or call our office at (770) 421-1242 to schedule an appointment.
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