Risks and Benefits of Face Lift Without Surgery

Are you thinking of having a non-invasive facelift for your mild to moderate facial aging signs? If in the process of it all, you ponder about the risks and benefits of having a facelift without surgery, then you are in the right place.

You have made a wise choice in understanding both the risks and the benefits of a non-surgical facelift. This helps with making informed choices as you aim for that youthful look. In this piece, we explore the risks and benefits of a facelift without surgery. Delve in!

What Are The Risks of Non-Surgical Facelift?

The risks of a non-surgical facelift are dependent on the type of non-surgical facelift treatment you have received. Here are nine risks you should be aware of. 

1. Allergic Reaction

It’s rare but can be prominent, especially for those with sensitive skin. Treatment like microneedling may cause skin irritation with allergic reaction signs. Some of the signs include redness, swelling, pain, unusual warmth, and itching in the treated area.

In severe cases of allergic reaction, microneedling after botox can even lead to breathing difficulties or throat swelling, a condition known as anaphylaxis. Allergy risk is prominent for collagen-based fillers, Botulinum Toxin products, e.g., Botox and Dysport, and Dermal fillers containing lidocaine.

The good news is that you can lower the risk of allergic reactions by carrying out an allergy patch test. Sometimes, the practitioner may carry out a skin reaction test by injecting a small amount of substance into your skin. After that, the dermatologist or your cosmetic doctor recommends an injection that your skin is not allergic to.

2. Swelling and Bruising

This is usual for most non-invasive face lifts. Dermal fillers are one of the most common causes of swelling and bruising since they are injected with a needle or cannula under the skin. In the process of injection, a needle or cannula may puncture or mick a blood vessel, leading to swelling and bruising.

Fat injections also have significant risks as they involve fat extraction and injection. Thread lift and Microneedling cause moderate to high swelling and bruising, while Botox and Dysport cause only mild bruising and swelling. Ultrasound skin tightening and Laser Skin resurfacing cause only mild bruises and swelling.

3. Facial Asymmetry or Uneven Results

This is a risk you should worry about only if you are under unskilled hands. An inexperienced practitioner may use poor technique, unevenly distributing filler material. Uneven filler distribution may lead to one cheek, jawline, or under-eye housing more filler than the other, resulting in a lopsided appearance.

In some cases, most people already have a slight facial asymmetry that is kind of invisible. When the practitioner carries out a non-surgical face lift without accounting for the natural difference, the patient’s face becomes overly distorted. A skilled provider usually avoids this by analyzing facial anatomy before the procedure.

Asymmetry can occur after a thread lift when one side appears tighter or more lifted than the other. Also, not following the aftercare instructions given can cause the threads to shift or break during healing, leading to uneven results.

4. Nerve damage or numbness

This is also a rare risk, but it should not be overlooked. It is caused by treatments such as thread lift or microneedling after Botox, which affect small nerves in the face, leading to numbness or tingling.

The major signs are;

●  Numbness: A loss of sensation in a specific area, commonly around the cheeks, jawline, lips, or even the forehead or the chin.

● Muscle weakness or paralysis: When you have difficulty moving certain facial muscles, e.g., unable to smile.

● Uncontrolled muscle movements or spasms: Involve involuntary muscle contractions or twitches in the treated area. This is mostly over the eyes, mouth, or eyebrows after Botox or a thread lift.

● Sharp pains and burning sensations or even electric shocks in treated areas. This should not be ignored as it may signal more severe nerve irritation.

5. Skin lumps or Nodules

Skin lumps or nodules are mostly caused by poor injection technique, the use of products that are too thick or placed too superficially, the onset of an infection and inflammation, or the product migrating after injection.

Skin lumps start off like small bumps under the skin and feel firm, rubbery, or doughy when touched. Redness or swelling begins around the lump as the area becomes red, warm, or swollen. The lump may not necessarily be painful, and in most cases it is painless. However, if there’s pain, it may signal infection or inflammation. When there's an infection, you will generally feel unwell.

Dermal fillers such as Hyaluronic acid or Calcium-based fillers are the most common non-surgical facelift that causes post-treatment lumps. Fat injections also form lumps if fat is unevenly placed or doesn't survive properly in certain areas.

6. Infections

Most of the infections are due to poor techniques or unsterile tools. Infractions are mostly possible among non-invasive facelifts that require injections. The use of a needle or cannula increases the risk of bacteria penetrating the injection site when the needles used are unsterile.

Infections occur in stages before they get worse, which may give you a chance to address them before it becomes too late. Note these stages:

The early or mild stages

● Worsening skin redness.

● A gradually increase in swelling

● A rise in temperature at the injection points or the treated area.

● Worsening pain

● Firm lumps and pus-filled nodules.

Most of these signs, such as redness, swelling, warmth, and slight pains, are usually common. But it is wise to take note if they are persistent or getting extreme, as it will most certainly indicate an infection. When you ignore these signs, it leads to advanced signs.

The severe signs

● A discharge of yellow pus on the nodules and lumps.

● Fever, chills, or feeling unwell.

● Massive swelling and very severe pain.

Most of these severe signs migrate from being a skin infection to a whole body infection. That’s why  signs of infections should be examined immediately before they even reach this stage.

7. Vascular Complications

This is a very serious risk, yet rare. It is caused when the filler enters blood vessels, blocking blood flow. This causes skin damage or, in very extreme cases, blindness.

You might be wondering how? This is when the dermal filler blocks blood flow to the retinal artery, which is responsible for supplying blood to the eye. Therefore, the eyes lose oxygen, leading to sudden permanent blindness.

To avoid this risk, it is wise to choose experienced injectors to avoid these complications.

8. Pigmentation change

Non-surgical facelifts, such as lasers or chemical peels, may cause skin discoloration. People with a darker complexion may come out with light spots, while those with a lighter complexion may have dark spots or patches. This is because laser and chemical peels damage the top layer of skin to stimulate new collagen and skin renewal, irritating or overstimulating the melanocytes.

9. Short-lived or disappointing results

Unfortunately, all the non-surgical facelifts offer only subtle changes and no dramatic ones. The results may last only within months and require regular maintenance.

Most patients expect surgical-level results from a facelift without surgery, which leads to disappointment due to unrealistic expectations. So, be clear on what a facelift without surgery can realistically achieve before investing in the treatment. Why? This is the only way to be satisfied and enjoy the benefits of a non-surgical facelift.

What Are the Benefits of Non-Surgical Facelifts

These benefits are general for all non-surgical facelifts. They include:

1. There is no surgery done.

When you choose a non-surgical facelift, there won't be any cuts, stitches, or scarring to bother you. This is because it is a non-invasive technique that involves basic techniques like injectables, threads, or energy-based treatments that give your face a smoother, firmer look.

Most patients prefer or love how it gives them visible lifting and tightening without the trauma and anxiety of surgery. It also gives you confidence that there is no evidence of a facelift since a non-surgical facelift doesn’t leave behind any surgical evidence.

It is preferred when you want to restore your youthful features naturally, maintaining your confidence with minimal face disruption.

2. Has little to no downtime

A non-surgical facelift allows you to return to your daily life almost immediately. Unlike traditional surgery, a facelift without surgery doesn’t leave you with painful wounds, bruises, and swelling for weeks.

Most of the non-surgical face lifting procedures, such as fillers and thread lifts or any known best skin tightening treatment for the face, can only cause minimal swelling or redness and bruising that fades within 2-3 days.

It is so quick that you don't even have to take time off work for its quick recovery, making it idle for professionals and social individuals alike.

3. Provides a Natural look

A non-surgical facelift enhances your old looks to a more youthful you through a gradual, subtle improvement that makes it seem like you are growing in reverse mode to youthfulness.

It offers refreshed and not overdone results that cannot be seen or noticed as unnatural. To date, one of the reasons why the facelift without surgery is growing in popularity is that most people want a transformation that is graceful and not dramatic.

4. Lower risk of complications

A non-invasive facelift carries fewer risks of complications when compared to a surgical facelift. This is because it doesn’t involve general anesthesia, deep incisions, or overnight hospital stays. This drastically reduces the chances of serious complications.

Moreover, facelift treatments like radiofrequency, the best laser for face tightening, or microneedling after botox, fillers, and thread lifts involve minimal trauma to the skin.

5. More affordable

A non-surgical facelift is more affordable than a surgical facelift. Treatments like ultrasound therapy, microneedling after botox, or the best laser for face tightening can be done in sessions, making the cost more manageable.

But generally, a full non-invasive facelift usually costs a fraction of surgical options, and there are no extra hospital overnight stays or anesthesia fees. It is more accessible for most people since many clinics offer financing or packaging deals.

Whether you are only touching up your jawline or smoothing out wrinkles, the non-invasive facelift is a budget-friendly investment.

6. Customizable Treatments

A facelift without operation can be fully customized to fit your specific needs. It is more adaptable than surgery, which offers limited adjustments once performed.

Whether you need under-eye smoothing or jawline lifting, a non-surgical facelift can be tailored by treatment area, skin type, or age. With the presence of many non-surgical options available, it is easier to build a face-lifting plan that works perfectly for you.

7. Gradual, Sustainable Results

Unlike surgical facelifts, whose results are dramatic, non-surgical facelift results appear gradually, providing a natural look that improves over time. Treatments like microneedling after botox, radiofrequency, and any non-surgical best skin tightening treatment for the face stimulate your skin gradually.

Non-surgical face lifts allow for small but noticeable changes that look authentic, not artificial. You get results that you can build upon gradually and maintain after a specific period.

8. Enhances skin quality

A non-invasive facelift doesn’t just lift your skin, it improves your skin by reducing wrinkles, shrinking pores, and brightening your complexion. Non-surgical options such as lasers, fillers, and threadlifts work by stimulating collagen, which is responsible for restoring the skin's strength and elasticity.

So, non-surgical facelift solutions are also ideal for patients dealing with skin texture issues, sun damage, or early signs of aging. A non-surgical facelift gives you both a lift and a glow-in-one treatment plan.

9. It is suitable for most skin types.

It is safe for all skin tones and types, including darker skin, which may be sensitive to scarring or pigmentation from surgery.

Procedures like ultrasound therapy and the best laser for face tightening work gently and effectively without harming melanin-rich skin. In very rare cases, they may cause pigmentation. A facelift without surgery can personalize your skin’s needs without the surgical risks often seen.

10. Quick and convenient

A facelift without surgery mainly takes at least 1 hour. Therefore, just a lunch break would be enough for a non-surgical facelift. Also, after the short facelift treatment, a very short downtime may be recommended or not at all.

Therefore, it is the perfect solution for busy individuals who want an effective facelift without putting their life on hold. It’s simply a fast, effective, and easy facelift that delivers modern convenience with minimal hassle.

Conclusion

Being confused between a surgical and a non-surgical facelift is usual, mostly when you are not aware of its risks and benefits.

 Are you a very busy or social individual who is considerate with his or her time? A person who is very considerate of their health and doesn’t tolerate health risks? Or do you have doubts about whether your facial tone is suitable for a non-surgical lift? Maybe you think it will look embarrassing when people notice your facial change.

If you are in one of the categories, fear not, for we've got you sorted with all you should know in this article for you to make the decision. Don't let anything hinder you from manifesting your inner beauty.

Also, we have you covered with a myriad of cosmetic solutions. Filter through our collection of products to find one that suits you best.