Non-surgical face lifting

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to facelift is plastic surgery. However, they do not want to and can all expose themselves to radical influences. A compromise option in this case are numerous minimally and non-invasive rejuvenation techniques.

Non-surgical face lifting- this is a whole layer of various procedures that can improve the condition of the skin, get rid of loose tissues and add clarity to the oval without surgical intervention and accompanying difficulties.

The main advantages of such 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 achieve such an impressive result as after surgery, and it does not last as long, usually up to 2-3 years, which partially offsets the cost.

Basic methods of non-surgical lifting

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

• Injectable- subcutaneous administration of drugs that help improve tone and overall skin rejuvenation. This includes, in particular, some types of mesotherapy, contouring and plasma lifting
• Hardware- are performed on equipment that uses different types of energy (laser, radio wave, microcurrent, etc. ) to affect the skin.
• Threading- installation of special biocompatible threads under the skin, with the help of which tissues are moved to a new position. Most types of thread tightening 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, during which the upper layers of the dermis are removed. It stimulates skin renewal and thus provides a lifting effect
• Manual practices- various massage techniques aimed at improving the tone of facial muscle structures and activating metabolism.

Injection lifting and facial rejuvenation

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

PlasmoliftingorPRP therapyis the injection of the patient's own blood (or rather, plasma that has undergone special pretreatment). The course is 4-5 sessions, the result lasts about a year. Plasmolifting also works locally, at the cellular level of the skin, triggering the synthesis of collagen fibers, and has a rejuvenating effect on the entire body as a whole - it stimulates the immune system, starts the processes of cell regeneration and renewal. Also, plasma, like a biological glue, attaches the facial skin to the underlying structures, eliminating tissue ptosis associated with aging. After completing the course, the skin is smoothed, becomes more elastic, tighter, fine wrinkles disappear, and deep ones are reduced.

If meso- and plasmolifting have a complex effect on the entire face, tightening and rejuvenating it, thencontour plastic surgery with fillersIbotulinum therapydesigned to address specific age-related concerns.

• Filler injections are intended for filling deep wrinkles, compensating the volume of missing tissues and correcting the shape of the face. Today, cosmetologists have at their disposal a wide range of products, mostly based on high-density hyaluronic acid, designed to correct certain facial defects associated with aging.
• In botulinum therapy, drugs based on botulinum toxin type A are used, which block the nerve endings in the injection area and prevent them from contracting the facial muscles. As a result, the skin is smoothed, and even deep expression lines are reduced or completely disappear.

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

Hardware tightening methods

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

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

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

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 tissue elasticity - for this reason, they are often used as a restorative procedure after surgical interventions.

Threading

This is a minimally invasive technique in which thin threads are inserted under the skin. They are then pulled upwards, moving behind them and fixing the soft tissues in the desired position. The procedure is fast 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 knows its internal structure well. Depending on the general indications and personal preferences of the patient, the following can be used:

• Non-absorbent threads, made of biocompatible materials such as polypropylene.
• Mesothreads- they are considered somewhat less effective, but they 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 that have already been installed will not interfere with cosmetic procedures or surgical lifting). Some of the non-absorbable threads can be "tightened" in the future, but there is no consensus among experts on the advisability 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 improve skin regeneration processes, improve its color, smoothness and elasticity, and eliminate many external defects (hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, etc. ). etc. ).

• Duringdeep chemical peelingAcid 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 operation is performed only in a clinical environment, under general anesthesia - as a complete operation.
• Deep laser resurfacingit combines two processes: applying thermal microtraumas to the skin, which trigger internal recovery mechanisms in it, and vaporization (evaporation) of old cells. Modern fractional ablative lasers perform both of these actions simultaneously, which allows 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 for about a year. If we compare both procedures, laser resurfacing has one important advantage - the ability to adjust the power and depth of the impact "on the fly". This allows you to choose the optimal parameters for each area, even for very sensitive ones (eyelids, lips, neck), which is impossibleachieved by chemical peeling. In addition, the cooling system makes it less painful, which allows the use of local anesthesia.

Massage as a method of non-surgical face lifting

With the help of manual influence, it is 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 issculptural facial massage(plasticizing massage, facial massage according to Joelle Siocco and other own techniques).

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

The standard course is 10-12 sessions, which are performed every 2-3 days. Further 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 the 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 determine the causes of their appearance. This unique diagnosis is one of the main tasks of a cosmetologist or plastic surgeon. It is he who should be entrusted with the choice of a particular method of rejuvenation or their combination. In the case of a person, the question is usually:How "deeply" localized are age-related changes?

• If they mainly affect the skin - e. g. These are small wrinkles, relief changes, 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 face oval, double chin) choose methods that affect the muscle frame and hypodermis. These include threading, botulinum therapy, contouring, microcurrent and sculpting massage.
• In many cases, the changes affect both the skin and the internal structures, so a well-thought-out combination of several rejuvenation techniques is necessary to achieve a pronounced effect.

Expert opinion

Journalists asked leading cosmetologists to comment on the effectiveness of using certain non-surgical facelift options, and they also turned to plastic surgeons for their expert opinion:

1. "The question is much simpler than it seems. In order not to make a mistake in choosing the technique, not to undergo surgery earlier than necessary, but also not to spend longer than expected in the cosmetologist's office, you need to understand only three things:

   • Condition of soft tissues, 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 a rather large excess of skin, do not waste time and money on cosmetology, do not engage in self-deception. Excess skin will not disappear by itself, it can only be removed with a scalpel, and only a plastic surgeon will help you.
   • Age.By the age of 40 (mostly) 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 one, you should seriously consider surgery.
   • Patient wishes.Only you decide 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, droopy eyelids, jowls, bags under the eyes, double chin or neck folds, only consult a surgeon.

   If you need a very small lift, pay attention to vector lifting with various 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 resulting effect no longer suits you and it's 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 postpone a visit to the surgeon for a long time. For women, it would be advisable to resort to mild lifting (hardware cosmetology) from the age of 25. Almost every method mentioned in the articlecan help with certain subtle age-related changes Some of these procedures are used individually by our experts, but most often as part of a comprehensive program.

   Thus, after surgical facelift, stagnation can occur, which can be easily treated with the help of microcurrent. Contour plastic surgery with fillers makes it possible to correct minor age-related changes, but in this case, plasma fillers (analogues of hyaluronic acid fillers, which are produced from the patient's own blood) proved to be better.

   Botulinum toxin A preparations, 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 during maintenance therapy after plastic surgery. But phenol peeling is not used in our clinic because of 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 RF lifting, as well as mezonites - what exactly to choose will depend on the "weight" of the skin, the depth of wrinkles, the age of the patient and the presence of certain contraindications. "

3. "I would immediately note that, of course, no minimally invasive technique can compete with surgical operations in terms of efficiency. However, it often happens that the patient's health does not allow such a step, or the specific situation does not yet require surgical intervention. In these cases, we come to the rescueminimally invasive cosmetology.

   Thread lifting, laser face lifting, and RF lifting techniques may well delay the need for surgery and serve as a sort of temporary replacement for facelift surgical techniques. You can get rid of wrinkles with botulinum therapy and fillers. Plasmolifting improves skin turgor and its general condition. Peels are 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 procedures described in the article, however, each of them has indications and contraindications. Especially for patients who come to us for a total face lift, I recommend plasma lifting before and after surgery, which allows us to shorten the rehabilitation period. But it is not worth carrying out any procedures for rejuvenating the hardware 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 capabilities of a plastic surgeon and a cosmetologist. A surgeon creates the contour of the face, a cosmetologist improves the quality of the skin. And aging manifests itself 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 non-surgical techniques.

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

   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. One method, no matter how good it is, cannot solve all problems. "