Time and gravity can take a toll on your face, leaving you with wrinkles, creases and sagging skin. Facial aging is a concern for many of Dr. Diwan’s patients, but how they choose to address it varies. While some patients prefer a mini-facelift, others find that dermal fillers are the better option. At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, we strive to provide you with both surgical and non-surgical solutions so you can choose a treatment option that best meets your needs.
What a Mini-Facelift Can Do
A mini-facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and re-drapes the facial skin, muscles and tissues in the lower portion of your face. You may be a good candidate for a mini-facelift if you have one or more of the following signs of early facial aging:
- Lost definition of the jawline
- Looseness of skin on the cheeks
- Jowls
During the procedure, Dr. Diwan will make two incisions near your ears so she can reposition your facial tissues. This will create a firmer foundation in the cheeks, jawline and upper neck, resulting in a smoother, tighter appearance.
A mini-facelift is a great way to target early signs of aging in your lower face and upper neck and get natural looking results, while avoiding more extensive facial surgery and longer recovery.
What Dermal Fillers Can Do
Dermal fillers are gently injected beneath your skin to restore lost facial volume, lift sagging skin and restore fullness to the cheeks. Fillers also smooth out lines and wrinkles throughout your face to rejuvenate your appearance. We offer several dermal fillers at our office, allowing us to target a wide range of concerns, including:
- Marionette and smile lines
- Dark circles beneath the eyes
- Nasolabial folds
- Vertical lip lines
- Sunken or hollow cheeks and temples
- A poorly defined jawline
- Chin and neck creases
- Thinning lips
Depending on which dermal filler you choose, results can last between six months and two years. Unlike facial surgery, there is no recovery time, and results are near instantaneous. You will, however, need future injections to maintain your youthful appearance long term.
Perhaps the best benefit of dermal fillers is that they can be injected nearly anywhere on your face. This allows you and Dr. Diwan to create a treatment plan that addresses multiple signs of aging in one appointment.
Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Aging Solutions
When deciding between a mini-facelift and dermal fillers, the choice may come down to whether or not you want to pursue surgery. Surgery offers permanent benefits, but it’s not the ideal solution for everyone. In addition to having realistic expectations about your mini-facelift, you should:
- Be in good overall health
- Be free from infection and illness
- Have good skin elasticity
- Have well-defined bone structure
When surgery is not in your best interest, dermal fillers can help you get a younger-looking face. Since they wear off over time, they can also be used to try out a new look before committing to a permanent procedure. For patients who are able and want to get surgery, combining a mini-facelift for lower facial improvement with dermal fillers in other areas can offer enhanced results.
