About Surgical / Non-Surgical Facelifts

Our skin ages over the years due to factors such as aging, genetics, environmental influences, gravity, harmful habits like smoking, and inadequate skincare. While other factors may play a role during this process, aging remains the most significant and inevitable cause of skin deformities. The first signs of aging typically manifest on the forehead and face. While some individuals genetically experience aging effects later in life, most people encounter their first wrinkles around the ages of 35-40.

What is a Surgical Facelift?

A surgical facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at eliminating signs of aging in the face and neck, providing patients with a younger, firmer, and more beautiful appearance. While surgical facelifts are primarily performed for aesthetic concerns, there are occasions where they are necessary for medical reasons.

Who Can Undergo a Surgical Facelift?

Due to aging, any woman or man displaying one or more of the following symptoms can undergo a surgical facelift. Patients typically fall within the age range of 40-45 and older, although in some advanced cases, this age limit can decrease to 30-35.

These symptoms include:

Deep and prominent forehead lines, Low eyebrows, Drooping and sagging eyelids, Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, Cheek and neck sagging, Increased lines around the lips, Sagging, loosening, and laxity in the neck area, Sagging in the chin and submental area, Overall dull, pale, pigmented, and thin skin appearance.

Non-Surgical Facelift Methods While surgical facelifts offer long-lasting and successful results, some patients may be averse to undergoing surgery due to fear of going under the knife. Additionally, some patients may not have advanced enough conditions to warrant surgery. In such cases, non-surgical facelift/rejuvenation interventions may be more beneficial.

The most popular non-surgical facelift treatment methods include:

• Botox: One of the most popular non-surgical facial rejuvenation methods, Botox has been widely used worldwide for over 20 years. Derived from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, Botox is injected into the facial muscles to block their movement, eliminating fine lines and wrinkles caused by excessive facial expressions such as on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the lips.
• Fillers: Facial fillers are another commonly used non-surgical facelift/rejuvenation technique. While sometimes confused with Botox, fillers differ as they provide volume and moisture to the skin. The most commonly used substance in facial fillers is hyaluronic acid, which fills wrinkles and provides a younger, firmer, and plumper appearance to the skin.
• Fat Injection: This method is ideal for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight and require volume in their faces. In this invasive technique, fat tissues harvested from the patient's own body are injected into the face, providing a fuller appearance and eliminating signs of aging.
• Thread Lift: Also known as the French facelift method, special threads made of polyester and compatible with human skin are inserted under the skin without making any incisions. These threads help lift sagging skin in the jaw area towards the ear level, providing a non-surgical facelift.
• Chemical Peeling: Used to revive, rejuvenate, and improve skin appearance by peeling off the upper layer of the skin using a special chemical solution. Chemical peeling reduces acne scars, skin blemishes, and promotes the emergence of younger and healthier skin.
• Mechanical Peeling: While primarily used to treat acne, acne scars, surgical scars, and skin irregularities, mechanical peeling is also suitable for eliminating wrinkles. This method helps regulate skin tone and moisture balance using special tools.
• Laser Facelift: Utilizing laser technology, which has become prevalent in many non-surgical treatments, laser facelifts are used for facial and neck rejuvenation. Ultracel sound waves trigger collagen production in the subcutaneous tissues, resulting in a more vibrant skin texture. Being painless, non-invasive, and leaving no scars, laser facelifts are favored by middle-aged men and women experiencing increased wrinkles.

While the French thread lift is the most permanent and successful among non-surgical facelift methods, treatments such as Botox, fillers, and fat injections primarily aim to eliminate wrinkles and plump the face. Chemical and mechanical peeling are suitable options for those seeking younger, vibrant, and radiant skin.

The most significant disadvantage of non-surgical facelift treatments is their limited duration, typically lasting up to 1 year. A decrease in effectiveness is expected after the first year, necessitating repeated treatments.