What is a Non-Invasive Facelift?

beautiful woman lifting up her facial skin

Skin ageing is a natural process and an inevitable part of our life. Whatever face cosmetics you use, sooner or later, your skin will begin to sag and wrinkle. Some people experience changes as early as their twenties or mid-thirties, while for others, this may happen later in life. It really depends on many different factors when you will start noticing the first signs of ageing. However, this is another topic that is not the subject of this article.

Here, our goal is to provide you with some more information about facelifts, more specifically non-surgical facelifts, and how such treatments can help you regain your youthful appearance. So, don’t miss the next lines!

What is a non-surgical facelift?

A non-surgical facelift is a treatment that uses minimally invasive or non-invasive approaches to reverse unwanted signs of ageing such as sagging and loose skin, wrinkles, fine lines and others.

The techniques that can be used to provide skin rejuvenation include dermal fillers, Botox, and PDO threads, as well as no-needles treatments that use lasers, ultrasound or radiofrequency devices. With such a variety of options available, surgical facelifts may not be the most immediate choice for tightening the skin.

In addition to not involving large incisions, non-surgical facelifts come with many other benefits. Most of the procedures are much more affordable compared to a traditional facelift (rhytidectomy). They are less painful, have fewer risks, require short to no downtime, and in most cases, can be completed in a lunch break.

Do non-surgical facelifts work?

Non-surgical facelifts are effective in treating mild to moderate skin laxity, hollowness in the facial region due to lack of volume, dull skin tone, wrinkles and fine lines. But if you have significant tissue laxity, then you would be better off having a surgical facelift procedure.

In addition, it is essential that you choose the right non-surgical procedure which is suitable for your skin and will address exactly the concerns you have. There are various kinds of facelift approaches, some of which target sagging skin specifically, while others aim to restore volume loss.

Therefore, you really need a consultation with an aesthetic doctor or plastic surgeon. The specialist can asses your skin and recommend you the best treatment based on your own individual characteristics of ageing.

What are the pros and cons of non-surgical procedures?

Benefits

Convenience. Non-surgical treatments are normally completed much faster than traditional facelifts. They do not require special preparation and, in most cases, can be done in 30 minutes to an hour.
Satisfactory results. Non-surgical facelift treatments can be used to address various age-related problems. They can treat sagging skin, loss of volume, forehead creases, frown lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines or nasolabial folds, and age spots.
Little to no pain. The treatments do not involve large incisions or the use of any painful techniques. Some of them do not cause pain at all.
Quicker recovery time. Most non-surgical procedures have little to no downtime. They are not likely to cause any serious side effects or complications.
Cost-effective. Non-surgical treatments are far less expensive than the typical surgical facelift.

Drawbacks

Not suitable for severe skin laxity. The surgical facelift can address severe sagging and loose skin and provide more dramatic results, which many times can not be achieved with other treatments.
Not a permanent solution. Botox, fillers, and lasers, which are among non-surgical alternatives to the classic facelift, usually do not produce permanent results. They must be repeated over a set amount of time.

What options for a non-surgical facelift are there?

There are several different types of non-surgical facelifts available in Singapore. They range from non-invasive treatments like radiofrequency therapy and HIFU to minimally invasive ones like thread lifts and dermal fillers.

Radiofrequency therapy

radiofequency face lift procedure in medical spa

Radiofrequency therapies offer non-invasive skin tightening and rejuvenation. As their name suggests, these procedures use radiofrequency energy to deliver heat to the skin. This heat promotes collagen and elastin development in the dermis, which actually gives the desired tightening effect. Furthermore, it promotes the smoothing of wrinkles and fine lines.

There are numerous radiofrequency energy-using devices on the market. The Medical Indiba Cellular Matrix System is one of the treatments available in Singapore. This is a medical-grade technology that targets both the superficial and the deeper levels (subcutaneous tissue) of the skin. As a result, it can not only improve the skin quality but also the overall contour of the face.

There are no needles, scars, or pain involved in Medical Indiba treatment. It is possible for you to resume your normal life as soon as the procedure is over.

Laser resurfacing

laser face lift treatment in medical spa

Laser resurfacing is another non-invasive procedure that you can use to treat sagging skin and wrinkles. It uses beams of lights to address various age-related issues. As with radiofrequency technology, lasers also come in various types. And while most of them may provide some level of tightening, fractional CO2 lasers can usually deliver the most significant results.

The CO2 laser uses a specific wavelength which vaporizes a fine layer of skin which, resurfaces wrinkles and encourages new collagen production. This kind of technology can also be used to address other problems such as acne scars, pigmentation and sun damage.

Laser procedures may cause a little bit of discomfort or pain. That is why surgeons usually apply local anaesthesia before they begin the treatment. You can also expect to experience slight swelling and redness after the therapy. It is normally recommended that you take 3 to 7 days off work to allow the treated region to heal.

Ultrasound therapy

woman getting an ultrasound face lift treatment

Ultrasound therapy is another non-invasive facelift option. As its name implies, the treatment relies on ultrasound energy to lift and rejuvenate the skin. Getting such treatment can help you smooth wrinkles and deep creases and improve skin texture.

Ultherapy and HIFU are some of the most popular ultrasound procedures. They are usually relatively similar procedures that are both helpful at tightening and rejuvenating the skin. The primary distinction between them is that they employ different types of ultrasonic beams. HIFU utilizes high-intensity focused ultrasound, while the Ultherapy treatment relies on micro-focused ultrasound. But what does it actually mean and which procedure is better?

Ultherapy penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, which is why it has both sculpting and tightening effects. HIFU, on the other hand, targets the skin’s surface and connective tissue. It promotes collagen production and skin regeneration.

If your goal is just to lift your skin and make it smoother, you won’t go wrong with whichever procedure you choose.

Thread facelift

PDO Thread face lift procedure in medical spa

PDO thread lift is a skin tightening and lifting technique that involves placing dissolvable sutures into the subcutaneous layers. The threads are made of a special material which has the ability to lift the skin tissue and stimulate the body to produce more collagen. You will normally notice visible changes right after the procedure. However, your skin will continue to improve with time.

The thread facelift can be a great option for you if you suffer from skin laxity and deep wrinkles. In addition, this procedure can help reduce double chin and achieve that beautiful V – shape face.

The PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive alternative to a surgical facelift. It usually involves the use of a needle or cannula, so it is done under local anaesthetic. The treatment may also cause some swelling and discomfort, so it requires minimal downtime.

Liquid facelift / Dermal fillers

The so-called liquid facelift is another non-surgical facelift option. It involves the use of fillers to restore volume and repair the changes associated with facial ageing.

One of the key ageing changes that occur in the face is actually volume deflation. By restoring the lost volume in key locations and plumping wrinkles in different layers, you can get back that youthful appearance of your face.

However, you need to understand that dermal fillers can fill the sunken areas and smooth out wrinkles, but they can not address skin laxity.

Botox

Botox is another component of a non-surgical facelift. The procedure can help you fix asymmetries and improve signs associated with the natural ageing process.

Botox works by stopping the action of small facial muscles, which produce wrinkles. However, it is essential to note that the procedure does not plump creases in the same manner as fillers do. The most common places for Botox are the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, laugh lines around the eyes, smile lines and others.

The procedure is minimally invasive, but it may cause some discomfort at the time of injection. You may also have slight swelling and redness at the injection site following the treatment. They should go away in 2 to 3 days.

How much does a non-surgical facelift cost in Singapore?

The cost of a non-surgical facelift in Singapore can vary greatly depending on what procedure you choose to undergo. Minimally-invasive treatments, such as Botox and fillers, may cost you anywhere from $500 to up to $2000. Non-invasive facelifts like radiofrequency, laser and ultrasound treatment start at $400 and can reach $5000. Face thread lifts tend to be a bit more expensive, costing $2000-3000 on average.

If you are considering a non-surgical facelift, then it is best to see a specialist. He or she will assess your needs, assist you in selecting the best technique for you, and provide you with precise pricing information. It is common for aesthetic doctors and plastic surgeons in Singapore to offer free consultations to their patients.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best type of facelift?

It all depends on your skin concerns and the results you want to obtain. If you want a more dramatic transformation and a longer-lasting result, facelift surgery is your best bet. If your goal is just to boost facial volume and smooth fine lines, then you might be an ideal candidate for dermal fillers. If you have modest skin looseness and want to get more natural-looking results, radiofrequency, laser, or ultrasound treatments might be a great solution.

How long do non-surgical facelifts last?

The results of non-surgical facelift procedures may last anywhere from 6 months to over 2 years, depending on the technique used. Botox, for example, often gives short-term results that last 3 to 6 months on average. Dermal fillers may be more durable and last for one or two years, depending on the material utilized. One of the most widespread types of filler, hyaluronic acid, normally disappears in 6 to 9 months.

Radiofrequency skin tightening therapies, such as Medical Indiba, can produce long-term effects. However, you may need to get a few treatment sessions initially.

Which is the best age to get skin tightening treatment?

There is really no “right age” for getting skin rejuvenation procedures. The skin of some people changes earlier, in their mid-20s or early 30s. Others notice a more noticeable transformation in their facial contours around the age of 40. Hence, selecting the right age for skin rejuvenation is a very personal decision.

BACK TO LISTING

August 2022