Age is one of life’s inevitabilities and at some point, you might decide to reverse some of the most common signs of aging by having a facelift.
Facelifts are some of the most popular cosmetic treatments in Glasgow and across the entire world, and for good reason.
A facelift can give you a new lease of life, restoring your youthful features by reducing sagging, eliminating fat, producing smoother and fuller looking skin.
The majority of people choose to have a facelift in their early fifties, and this is when the biggest effects will likely be seen, but a facelift can have a dramatic impact on people of all ages.
It is at this stage of life that volume loss occurs most quickly, and smile lines become most prominent, and these are just two of the areas where a facelift can be highly effective.
Both surgical and non-surgical facelifts can target the cheeks, jowls, neck, and the skin around the mouth.
However, this is where the similarities begin to end and if you have decided that a facelift is for you will need to decide between the two. To help you in this difficult decision, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons associated with both surgical and non-surgical facelifts.
Surgical facelifts
Surgical facelifts are conducted under general anaesthetic and involve incisions being made in the skin of the face. The fat underneath may be resulted or removed, muscles tightened, and skin drawn tight. Once excess skin is removed and new contours created, the wounds are stitched closed.
Pros of surgical facelifts
Complete reconfiguration
Surgical facelifts do not simply draw loose skin tight, they involve the complete reconfiguration of the underlying structures of the face.
This produces much more long lasting and impressive results and means that the facelift will last significantly longer than would otherwise be the case.
Long-lasting
The effects of a surgical facelift can last upwards of 7-8 years, meaning that this is a surgery that does not need to be repeated very often.
More affordable than ever
It is also much more affordable than it once was meaning that more and more people are enjoying the fabulous benefits of looking years younger after a single treatment.
Cons of surgical facelifts
Higher risk
Surgery of any kind that involves general anaesthetic comes with an inherent risk no matter how highly trained a surgeon may be. However, these procedures are safer than they have ever been before, and the chances of any complications is extremely low when you use a well respected and qualified surgeon.
Cost
Surgical facelifts have never been more affordable but they are still significantly more expensive than the non-surgical alternative and coming in at around £8000-£12000, the savings you could make by going for non-surgical (£4000-£6000) are large.
Recovery
Those who have a facelift operation almost always have to take some time off work and should expect to rest for 6-8 weeks before resuming normal activity.
If you simply cannot take several weeks off work, or would rather not, you’re probably better off avoiding a surgical facelift.
Non-surgical facelifts
Non-surgical facelifts are conducted under local anaesthetic and involves the application of radio frequencies that melt fat and increase collagen production.
Pros of non-surgical facelifts
Cost-effective
Non-surgical facelifts have made the fantastic benefits of facelifts available to a much larger market than ever before.
If you are looking to save money without compromising on the quality of results this is the perfect choice.
Limited discomfort
There is very little pain or discomfort involved in getting a non-surgical facelift. This makes it a very attractive first-time cosmetic treatment for those concerned about more invasive alternatives.
Quick procedure
Non-surgical facelifts can be completed in around 1 hour, and with no general anaesthetic required this is not a procedure that will take a huge amount of your valuable time.
Fast recovery
With a non-surgical facelift you will only need to take a very limited time off work and will be back to normal in just a couple of weeks.
Low Risk
There are very few potential complications that can occur when having a non-surgical facelift with the chances of infection almost zero.
Cons of non-surgical facelifts
Slightly less long lasting
The effects of a non-surgical facelift do last slightly longer than the surgical alternatives but only slightly.
Non-surgical facelifts last for around 5-6 years meaning that eventually you will need to return for further treatment if you wish to maintain the youthful appearance that you have enjoyed since the initial treatment.
Less dramatic
Surgical facelifts will produce an instant and very noticeable chance, completely reshaping the face in many situations.
On the other hand, the impressive results of a non-surgical facelift will be slightly more subtle, BUT they will improve even more over time as fat continues to melt.