Face lifts are the most invasive option available when it comes to addressing common signs of aging, such as sagging skin and wrinkles on the face. During a face lift, incisions are made around the hairline, temples, ears and lower scalp, which allows the surgeon to pull the skin tight on your face. Any excess skin is then cut away, and the incisions are closed up and allowed to heal. Although effective, the entire face lift process can be both painful and expensive, leading many to turn to one of the multiple alternatives now available on the market for reducing the signs of skin aging.
Wrinkle Creams
One of the least expensive ways to mimic the effects of a face lift is through the use of over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription-strength wrinkle creams. Although the effects are not as dramatic as a face lift, these wrinkle products are much less invasive. One of the most common products on the market for this use are retinoids. Retinoids, such as the OTC-strength retinol or the prescription-strength Differin (adapalene) and Retin-A (tretinoin), work to remove wrinkles by accelerating the rate in which your skin cells shed. As the old skin cells slough away, new smoother skin cells are revealed beneath, improving the look of fine lines on your face.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can also be used to mimic the effects of a face lift. Chemical peels can be done by your dermatologist, and use specialized chemicals (such as phenol or hydroxy acids) to peel the outer layer of skin away from your face. As the old skin cells peel off, new smoother skin cells are revealed, lessening the look of your wrinkles. Dermatologists can customize the strength of your peel to go superficial or deep depending on the depth of your wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a little more expensive than chemical peels or retinoid creams but are generally more effective at addressing wrinkles on the face. Dermal fillers are substances that can be injected directly into the skin beneath your wrinkles to plump up and even out the wrinkled skin with surrounding tissue. Common dermal fillers include fat transplants, collagen and hyaluronic acid-based fillers (Restylane and Juvaderm). Dermal fillers provide only temporary results, meaning that new injection may need to be performed every 2 to 6 months.
Botox Injections
One of the most common alternatives to a face lift are botox injections. Botox treatments involve the injection of the neurotoxin, called Botulinum type A, into the muscles beneath wrinkles on your face. This neurotoxin blocks an important neurotransmitter needed for the muscles to contract called acetylcholine. By blocking this substance, the muscles are forced to relax. This results in the skin laying flat above the affected muscle, which reduces the overall look of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. According to the Taylor Medical and Aesthetic Group, it can take up to 3 months for the injected area to recover and start producing acetylcholine again. At that point, another injection will be needed to maintain the Botox effects.
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