Are Liquid Facelifts and Dermal Fillers The Same Thing?

Cosmetic procedures have been around for a long time, helping patients combat the signs of facial aging and maintain their youthful beauty. One of the most common facial rejuvenation techniques used by providers is facelift surgery. But over time, experts have developed newer methods for cosmetic enhancement and they’ve introduced a treatment called liquid facelift which involves the use of injectables. 

So is a liquid facelift procedure the same as dermal filler treatments? These terms are commonly used interchangeably but they’re not exactly the same. A liquid facelift does include injections of facial fillers to add volume, but it can also use neurotoxins to relax muscle contractions that cause wrinkles and fine lines. If you want a complete facial rejuvenation that addresses lost volume and all types of wrinkles, you can definitely benefit from a liquid facelift.  

Is There A Difference Between Liquid Face Lift and Dermal Filler Treatment? 

Dermal filler injectables are one of the most popular treatments in many med spas and aesthetic clinics. Over the years, millions of dermal filler procedures have been carried out as more and more people are looking for nonsurgical ways to improve their appearance and minimize the signs of facial wrinkles. 

Cosmetic fillers are already an excellent treatment on their own that can address specific concerns. It works best for treating static wrinkles that have formed from the natural loss of collagen and skin elasticity. It also helps replenish lost facial volume in sunken or hollow facial features. 

However, there are cases when dermal fillers are combined with other cosmetic treatments for more dramatic results. It’s often used with Botox cosmetic injections in a procedure called a liquid facelift. Here’s an overview of how a liquid facelift procedure differs from injectable dermal filler: 

Dermal Fillers for Face Lift: What You Should Know 

Not all wrinkles are the same, which is why providers can recommend a combination of neurotoxin injections and dermal fillers to address your concerns. Dynamic wrinkles are the ones that appear from repeated facial expressions and movement, while static wrinkles are visible even when the face is at rest and is caused by volume loss.  

With a liquid facelift, you can relax your facial muscles and smooth out dynamic wrinkles with Botox while the dermal fillers help plump the areas with volume irregularities and correct deeper folds. Here are the other things you should know about this procedure: 

1) What Cosmetic Concerns Can Liquid Dermal Filler Injections Help With

You can get a liquid facelift with advanced dermal fillers for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the common goals of this cosmetic procedure: 

• For lip augmentation –  If you have thin lips, a liquid facelift can help provide fuller-looking lips and improve their overall shape. Liquid dermal fillers can also minimize the appearance of vertical lip lines and wrinkles around the mouth. 
• For cheek enhancement – A liquid facelift treatment can also add natural-looking cheek volume to fix its sunken appearance and restore fullness. It can likewise help fix visible nasolabial folds and other wrinkles in the midface region. 
• For tear trough correction – Liquid dermal fillers can also help rejuvenate your under-eye area by reducing the hollowness, lightening the dark circles, and minimizing the puffy bags. 
• For jowls treatment – Cosmetic injectable fillers can also be placed on your mid and lower cheek area to pull the skin along the jawline and minimize the appearance of mild sagging jowls. 

2) What Are Its Benefits Over Traditional Facelifts? 

A traditional facelift is considered facial plastic surgery and is much more invasive than liquid lift procedures. With a surgical facelift treatment, several incisions are made either on the hairline, temple, around the ears, or scalp. The plastic surgeon then lifts the sagging tissues and fixes the contours while removing excess skin or fat. In some cases, they may use other techniques such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery to enhance your results. 

On the other hand, a liquid facelift is a minimally invasive procedure that only involves the placement of dermal fillers and neurotoxin injections. Here are some of the known advantages of a liquid facelift over a surgical facelift: 

• No downtime and faster recovery  
• Quick and straightforward procedure that can be done in a matter of minutes
• Minimal pain or discomfort during the treatment
• No incisions  
• Liquid facelift cost less than reconstructive surgery

3) How Is A Liquid Dermal Filler Procedure Done?  

Interested patients typically receive a customized liquid facelift treatment plan that addresses their specific concerns and goals. The number of treatment sites and amount of injectables will also depend on the severity of your cosmetic issues. Here’s what you can expect from a liquid facelift session: 

• First, the provider will mark the injection sites and cleanse the skin to minimize the risk of infections.
• A topical anesthetic or numbing cream may also be applied to reduce the pain and discomfort from injections. 
• Once the treatment area is numbed, the fillers will be placed beneath the skin using a small needle or cannula. 
• In areas where the dermal fillers are too thick to be placed, the doctor will add the neurotoxin injections. Some of the common injection sites for Botox are the forehead area, between the eyebrows, and Crow’s feet. 
• After the injections are administered, you can immediately return to your normal activities. 

4) What Are The Side Effects of The Treatment? 

Compared to a surgical facelift, a liquid facelift has fewer risks and complications. Still, you can experience some aftereffects as a reaction to the Botox and dermal filler injectable treatment. Here are some of the possible side effects of a liquid lift: 

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Redness
• Injection site pain
• Tenderness 
• Lumps or bumps 

Most side effects are temporary and are able to go away on their own after a few days. But if you experience delayed complications, such as allergic reactions, you should immediately see your healthcare provider to get treatment.

5) How Long Will The Results of Liquid Dermal Fillers Face Lift Last? 

The majority of dermal filler injections can last for around 6 to 18 months, while Botox treatments can last between 3 to 6 months. When combined together in a liquid facelift, the effects of the injectables can last for about 6 to 18 months. You can even notice continued improvements over time as the fillers can also support the body’s collagen production. Maintaining proper skin care may also help extend the results of your liquid face lift procedure. 

Common Types of Dermal Fillers Used For A Liquid Facelift 

There’s a wide range of injectable dermal fillers offered in medical spas today. The injections are used for the same purposes but they vary in their formulation and longevity of results. Here are the common dermal filler materials: 

1) Hyaluronic acid fillers

These are smooth fillers made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture. When injected into the skin, they can provide instant plumpness and soften wrinkles and their effects can last for around 6 to 12 months. Some of the most common examples of HA fillers are Juvederm Voluma, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, and Belotero Balance. 

2) Poly-L-lactic acid fillers

These fillers are made of a synthetic, biocompatible material that provides semi-permanent results. It essentially works as a collagen stimulator and compared to other injectable fillers, its results aren’t immediate and will gradually appear over a few months. Sculptra Aesthetic is the most common PLLA filler in the market today. 

3) Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers 

This is another type of semi-permanent filler that’s biosynthetically produced with CaHA particles suspended in a liquid gel carrier. It provides longer-lasting results unlike hyaluronic acid injections and is also effective for stimulating new collagen growth in the skin. Radiesse is a popular type of CaHA filler injection. 

Is A Liquid Dermal Filler Face Lift Right For You?  

A liquid facelift is a great choice for individuals who want to fix their skin imperfections and address volume loss without undergoing plastic surgery. You’re also a good candidate for the procedure if you meet the following requirements: 

• Have mild jowls and no severe skin laxity 
• Are physically healthy and have no history of autoimmune conditions or bleeding disorders 
• Have no allergies to the dermal filler material or neurotoxin
• Isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding 
• Have no history of cold sores 
• Have no active infections or open wounds in the treatment areas 

Rejuvenate Your Skin With Liquid Dermal Filler Lift Treatments at Ethos Spa

Liquid facelift procedures are a great nonsurgical solution for combating wrinkles, fine lines, and other effects of aging. It can also help restore a more youthful contour with results that can last for a long time. If you’re ready to get a liquid facelift treatment, you should reach out to an expert provider. 

Ethos Spa is a leading destination for cosmetic treatments led by a team of highly qualified practitioners and certified doctors. Dr. Hardik Soni offers his signature H-lift where he uses the best dermal fillers for overall facial rejuvenation and natural correction. Call us today to learn more about our liquid facelift or schedule your consultation.