Cosmetic facial rejuvenation procedures can enhance your appearance and reduce signs of aging. Many patients prefer to begin with less invasive non-surgical treatments before considering cosmetic surgery. Before you choose, read these four truths about both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
Find out what criteria determine if you are a good candidate for cosmetic facial treatments. Learn about the differences in the results between surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments. And discover what makes the most significant difference in the quality of the effects of your treatment.
Facial Rejuvenation: 4 Truths About Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments
Facial rejuvenation treatments counteract the visible signs of aging on your face and restore your youthful facial appearance. Depending on your aesthetic goals, your procedure may involve a combination of treatments to achieve the cosmetic results you desire. Facial cosmetic treatments fall into two categories: surgical and non-surgical.
Surgical Facial Rejuvenation
Surgical facial rejuvenation works to improve and restore facial symmetry. These treatments serve to restructure the orientation of facial features and skin. Some of the most common surgical facial rejuvenation treatments include:
Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation
Non-surgical treatments serve to fix many of the signs of aging that are of most concern to patients. Non-invasive facial rejuvenation targets details of your facial structure and aesthetic features. These treatments can remove wrinkles and scars, tighten flabby skin, and correct inconsistencies in skin pigmentation. Some of the most common non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments include:
- Chemical peels
- Neuromodulators (Botox)
- Laser resurfacing
- Injectable fillers
- Radio-frequency Micro-needling
No matter which treatment you choose, here are the four truths that every patient should know about surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments:
#1. Candidates Must Be in Good Health
If you are considering surgical facial rejuvenation treatment, you must be in good overall health. Surgical therapies are low-risk, but any surgery carries some inherent risks. You must share your complete medical history with your cosmetic surgeon and a list of medications you currently take to minimize the risk of complications.
#2. Non-Surgical Treatments Can Improve Minor Flaws and Signs of Aging
Non-surgical treatments improve minor flaws and signs of aging, but structural facial alterations require surgery. Laser rejuvenation is an advanced cosmetic treatment that reduces wrinkles, improves skin color and texture, and tightens sagging skin. These treatments can improve:
- Wrinkles and lines near the eyes, mouth, and forehead
- Sun-leathered or aged skin
- Liver spots
- Acne scars
- Rosacea
#3. Surgical Treatments Last Longer than Non-Surgical
Surgical facial treatments are long-lasting and can create dramatic differences in your appearance. The old adage of “you get out of it what you put in” may apply. Minor treatments yield subtle improvements while definitive surgical procedures can produce the most rejuvenating results. Your surgeon can tighten skin on the face and neck to create the impression of rolling the clock back five to ten years. Any surgical treatment is performed in an operating room while you are sedated under general anesthesia in the outpatient accredited surgery center.
In general, non-invasive treatments address superficial external features, while surgical treatments support the deeper underlying facial structures that have weakened with age. The results of surgical facial rejuvenation can last for many years, whereas non-surgical injectables last up to about one year, at the most.
#4. There are Inherent Risks to Any Surgery
When it comes to surgery of any kind, every patient’s body reacts differently to the process. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or any other chronic health condition, general anesthesia may pose too high a risk of surgical complications. Additionally, patients who smoke or use anti-clotting medication pose a higher risk of bleeding during surgery. If you cannot go under general anesthesia, ask your surgeon if local anesthesia is an option.
Which rejuvenation treatment is best for you?
Surgical treatments offer longevity and dramatic change, while non-surgical treatments offer immediate subtle yet noticeable aesthetic improvements. The best treatment combination to achieve the results you desire is a decision to make with your Facial cosmetic surgeon. Call our practice to schedule a consultation and determine the best facial rejuvenation treatments for you.