With non-surgical procedures skyrocketing in popularity in recent years, it’s easy to think that the best way to counteract the signs of ageing is through injectables such as dermal fillers and anti-ageing injections. However, this isn’t always the case, and rhytidectomies, or face lifts, are still a popular choice for many people aiming to turn back the clock on their skin. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the difference between anti-ageing injections and facelifts, and help you choose the right procedure for you.
Anti-ageing injections are great for treating wrinkles and fine lines on all areas of the face. At New Birkdale Clinic, we use Botulinum Toxin Type A, a high quality form of anti-ageing injections. It works to reduce signs of ageing by blocking nerve signals to muscles in the face. This stops the muscles from moving, which lessens the appearance of fine lines, prevents existing wrinkles from worsening, and stops new lines from appearing. Forehead lines, frown lines, smile lines, crow’s feet and bunny lines can all be effectively treated with anti-ageing injections.
A facelift is one of the most popular surgical aesthetic procedures. The term ”facelift” can describe any of a group of surgical procedures designed to remove excess skin and fat, and tighten loose skin and muscles. Facelifts can give more dramatic and longer-lasting results than Botox injections, and are more effective at treating significant sagging in the face, and muscle and skin laxity. However, they are a far more time-consuming, expensive and taxing procedure on the body than non-surgical alternatives like Botox.
Types of facelift include the mini lift, which is the quickest and least invasive form of facelift and involves simply lifting and tucking the skin.
The SMAS facelift also lifts a deeper layer of muscle known as the superficial musculoaponeurotic system or SMAS as well as the skin above, creating a more significant lift in the lower face and neck, while also allowing for the removal of excess fat. An extended SMAS lift can also be carried out to improve the mid face and nasolabial lines, as can a composite facelift, which generally involves an extended SMAS lift, with the addition of a brow lift and/or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).
Facelifts are a far more extensive procedure than Botox, and takes significantly more time in the clinic and in recovery. Facelift procedures can take from around two to five hours, depending on the surgeon and the type of facelift you choose. At New Birkdale Clinic, you will have bandages on your face for up to five days after a facelift, and sutures and clips will be removed between four and ten days after, depending on the type of facelift you have. You will need to rest at home for around a week after the procedure and most people take two to three weeks off work. It generally takes around two months to see the full results of a facelift, when your face will look stunning and refreshed. Depending on the type of facelift procedure, the results can last from two to five years for a mini lift, to five to ten years for deeper types of facelift.
Anti-ageing injection, being a non-surgical procedure, is significantly less time-consuming. A single wrinkle smoothing injection session will last between 10-15 minutes, and the full results will be seen within 5-7 days. You should avoid exercise and touching the area for 24 hours, and hot baths for 48 hours following your treatment, but you can leave the clinic and get back to your life on the same day. wrinkle smoothing injections last for three to six months, when repeat treatments are recommended to maintain the results. However, with repeated treatments, the muscles are “trained” not to form new lines, leaving you with fresh, youthful skin.
There are significant differences between Anti-ageing injections and face lifts. At New Birkdale Clinic, we can work with you to help decide which is best for your face, lifestyle and personal preference, so that you can leave us feeling younger, fresher and more like your best self, no matter what you choose.