According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately 72,668 facelift procedures were performed on women in the USA in 2022. In the UK, an estimated 1,800 facelifts were performed during the same year. Why? Because surgical facelifts are, without a doubt, a great way to lift and tighten your skin.
It isn’t without its downsides though. As it’s an invasive procedure, incisions, anaesthesia, and significant downtime are required. Not to mention there’s always the risk of complications such as scarring lurking in the shadows too.
Therefore, non-surgical facelifts have gained significant attention over the past few years. In 2023, approximately 19.1 million non-surgical procedures were performed around the globe. And we’ve rounded up some of the best ones out there!
Without further ado, here are surgical facelift alternatives to help you achieve smoother, brighter, younger-looking skin (sometimes in less than an hour!)
Injectables
Injectables include Botox and dermal fillers. Botox is an extremely popular aesthetic procedure. It helps control facial muscle movements by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkling around our eyes, mouth, and forehead when we smile or frown. It makes the skin appear instantly younger and smoother and is much less invasive than a surgical facelift. In 2022, over 9 million Botox treatments were administered worldwide, and the number of Botox treatments is expected to rise!
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are known to add volume to the skin. They can consist of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Currently, HA fillers are the most popular. Pretty much because they are safe, reversible, versatile, and create natural-looking results. What is the downtime when opting for injectables? Little to none!
Thread Lift
A thread lift is not only a surgical facelift alternative, it is also known as a lunchtime facelift! Hard not to be instantly intrigued by that, right? The procedure involves using a fine needle to insert absorbable threads just under your skin. These threads gently lift the skin, creating a natural, subtle lift. It is a super popular alternative to a full surgical facelift, and although it may sound uncomfortable, it’s actually not. Of course, you may feel a slight pulling or tightness as the threads are placed, but it is usually well tolerated. And let’s not forget, since it’s minimally invasive, a thread lift comes with no downtime, no lengthy healing process, and no risk of scarring.
Thermage
Often known as THE ultimate non-surgical facelift, Thermage is a totally non-invasive procedure which can provide excellent results. It uses capacitive radio frequency (CRF) which draws collagen to the surface of your skin. Remember, collagen is a super-duper important protein in your body and it helps keep your skin smooth, flexible, strong, and young. But as we age, we lose our ability to produce the collagen we need to maintain our youthful glow. Making Thermage all the more awesome. It encourages the growth of new and healthy collagen, is somewhat painless, and can be completed in less than an hour.
IPL Facial
An IPL (short for Intense Pulsed Light) facial uses light energy to treat a range of skin concerns. It can combat sun damage, age spots, rosacea, broken capillaries, fine lines, and slightly deeper lines too. It is also a fabulous treatment for firmer, tighter skin, reducing the appearance of sagging and offering a subtle lifting effect. This is because an IPL facial stimulates collagen and elastin production to wave bon voyage to the effect of ageing. It is also incredibly safe to use on your face and neck, and yes, you guessed it, comes with little to zero downtime!
Vampire Facelift
The word Vampire Facelift may sound terrifying, but we promise you it’s not. In fact, it is one of the most natural ways you can think of to rejuvenate your face. This extraordinary aesthetic treatment has become a must-have amongst celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Also known as a PRP facelift (platelet-rich plasma), this procedure uses your very own blood to revive your skin from within. And no, you won’t be drained of your blood vampire-style. This procedure involves drawing a small amount of blood, similar to any simple blood test you’d have done at your local doctor’s office. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which separates it into different components (platelets and plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells). The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into your skin to boost the production of new skin cells, collagen, and elastin. Since it’s your own blood (and plasma) doing the magic, the risk of developing an allergic reaction is almost non-existent, as is the downtime … basically next to zero!
Home Treatments
If needles and laser wands give you the ick, there are plenty of lotions and potions that promise to turn back the hands of time. Products like Skin Doctors Instant Facelift and GoodSkin Labs Filextra Facial Revolumizing Treatment work to plump your skin, boost collagen production, and improve elasticity. The world-renowned Dr Obagi skincare range also offers powerful anti-ageing products to help you hit the pause button.
Let’s Circle Back To The Beginning
To recap what we’ve learned. If you decide to go for a full surgical facelift, it’s important to be aware of the risks and do thorough research before making your decision. However, for many of us who simply want to smooth out fine lines, boost our complexion, and combat sagging skin without the recovery time and risks involved, a non-surgical facelift can work wonders. Just remember, whether you’re opting for a surgical or non-surgical route, ALWAYS always always consult with a qualified professional to ensure your procedure is safe and effective.
