Which Will Make Me Look Younger: A Dermal Filler or Facelift?

Are Fillers or Facelifts Better for Looking Younger?

Fillers and facelifts are both useful cosmetic procedures. Which is right for you will depend on your aesthetic goals and personal tastes.

You may have heard that fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse are considered “liquid facelifts.” If you’re not ready to commit to surgery just yet, this may present a feasible and intriguing alternative.

While there is no complete replacement for a traditional facelift, the good news is that both fillers and facelifts can help you achieve a fresher, younger look.

What is a Facelift?

Before we can talk about which option is right for you, it’s important to understand what each entails.

A facelift is a surgical procedure that a plastic surgeon performs. He or she will tighten loose skin, readjust facial tissue and remove excess skin to give your face and neck a smoother, refreshed appearance.

Facelifts are often combined with other cosmetic procedures such as brow lifts, fat transfer or eyelid surgery.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are a more temporary and less invasive alternative to a facelift. Depending on which fillers you get, they can smooth wrinkles, plump up drooping areas of the face and provide the kind of lift and glow associated with youthful skin.

Fillers can be strategically placed in the face as well as the hands to restore volume and structure.

What Are Examples of Dermal Fillers?

Some common fillers are Voluma, Juvederm and Radiesse. They are made up of FDA-approved natural or synthetic ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid for Juvederm and Voluma, and hydroxylapatite for Radiesse.

How Long Do Fillers Last Compared to Facelifts?

In general, facelifts are long lasting, typically on the order of years. Fillers typically stay in the body anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the type and location. When you schedule a consultation, your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you how long the fillers you choose should last.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

If you’re in the early stages of wrinkles, collagen loss or feeling like your appearance needs to be refreshed, fillers are usually best. They can restore lost volume, which can help eliminate wrinkles and drooping skin. The procedure for fillers is minimally invasive and requires virtually no downtime. Fillers are also a great way to “dip your toes” into cosmetic procedures if you’re not yet sure about more involved procedures.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Facelifts are surgical procedures. If you have sagging skin, severe wrinkles or a generally drooped appearance, a facelift can be an excellent way to address all of those problems more long-term.

Good candidates for facelifts also are in overall good health, do not smoke, have retained some skin elasticity and have realistic expectations.

Will Fillers or Facelifts Make Me Look Like I’ve Had Work Done?

As long as you research and vet beforehand and choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, both options can provide a natural, “my face but better” look.

With facelifts, it’s important to meet one-on-one with potential surgeons to get a personalized consultation. You should be able to look at before-and-after galleries of patients to get a feel for the surgeon’s aesthetic style. Cosmetic procedures require artistry as well as technical skill, so you want a surgeon whose style closely resembles the final results you want to achieve.

The same principles apply to fillers. It’s best to opt for visiting a credentialed professional. When you choose a professional, credentialed provider, he or she can skillfully choose the best fillers to achieve your aesthetic goals and inject them in highly targeted areas to provide a gorgeous, natural-looking rejuvenating effect. Whether you opt for fillers, a facelift or a combination of the two, be sure to go with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon’s office – this can be the key to unlocking your best, most beautiful self.