Non-Surgical Cheek Lift
As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin begins to decrease, resulting in higher skin laxity, volume loss in the midface, and the increased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Many patients falsely believe that the only way to achieve a youthful appearance in the mid and lower face is to undergo an invasive procedure, such as a surgical facelift or thread lift, at a plastic surgeon’s office. While surgical cheek augmentation effectively provides patients with optimal facial contour, many are apprehensive of this invasive treatment that involves going under the knife. Plastic surgery requires general anesthesia and incisions, or cuts, in different areas of the face, which means extensive recovery time and a significant risk of side effects, such as permanent scarring, bleeding, infection, long-term pain, skin sensitivity, and asymmetry. If the surgery is not to your liking or something goes wrong, it is tough to undo, requiring another surgical procedure. Luckily, there are many non-surgical treatment options to reverse signs of aging at board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green’s dermatology office.
Many facial rejuvenation options do not require cosmetic surgery, including dermal fillers to restore lost facial volume, radiofrequency laser treatment for skin tightening, Botox for dynamic wrinkles, and chemical peels to improve skin tone and texture. Available at Dr. Green’s New York City dermatology office, these cosmetic procedures provide patients with long-lasting, natural-looking results at a fraction of the price of a plastic surgery cheek augmentation procedure. As collagen production decreases and facial skin begins to sag, loose skin can create jowls along the jawline, making fine lines and creases more visible. Dr. Green’s non-surgical facelift procedure boosts new collagen production, augmenting the cheeks, filling in lost volume, and providing smooth, firm, clear skin with minimal downtime and no significant side effects. The first step to achieving optimal results without surgical procedures is scheduling an appointment with Dr. Michele Green.
Experienced, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has been expertly treating patients in her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office for more than 25 years. Well-versed in many cosmetic procedures, Dr. Green is a master at choosing the treatment plan that will be best for each patient’s unique aesthetic goals and facial features and recommending skincare routines to maintain treatment results. Acclaimed for her precision and high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green has been voted one of New York City’s best healthcare providers by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What is a non-surgical facelift?
A non-surgical facelift uses non-invasive treatments to achieve a smooth, lifted, youthful appearance to the face. Several non-surgical cosmetic procedures can be involved in a non-surgical facelift, depending on the needs and goals of the patient. As we age, elastin and collagen production decrease, reducing skin elasticity and increasing volume loss in the midface, creating hollows under the eyes and in the cheeks and emphasizing wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. To restore lost volume in the midface and enhance the cheekbones for a sculpted, lifted look, Dr. Green will turn to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, such as Restylane or Juvederm. To address loose skin, Dr. Green will employ Thermage radiofrequency laser treatment, which emits wavelengths of RF energy into the soft tissue to boost collagen production, tightening the skin in the treatment area. For dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles that form due to repeated muscle movement, such as crow’s feet around the eyes and frown lines, Dr. Green will choose Botox injections to smooth away creases. Unlike a surgical procedure, a non-surgical facelift has a low risk of side effects and allows patients to return to normal activities immediately after treatment.
Can dermal fillers be used for cheek augmentation?
For patients experiencing volume loss in the cheeks and midface, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the gold standard in non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Dr. Green often chooses between Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma, two hyaluronic acid fillers specifically designed for use in the cheeks and midface. Restylane Lyft has the thickest gel composition of any member of the Restylane family of dermal fillers. With proprietary cross-linking technology, Restylane Lyft corrects volume loss in the midface, enhances the contour of the cheekbones, reduces the appearance of hollows under the eyes, and fills in deep wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds. The stiff gel of Restylane Lyft allows for a firm contour without limiting expressive capabilities in the face.
Juvederm Voluma, produced by the cosmetic company AbbVie by Allergan Aesthetics, is another hyaluronic acid dermal filler specifically approved for cheek enhancement. Similarly to Restylane Lyft, Juvederm Voluma combats age-related volume loss by filling in hollows in the midface, augmenting the cheekbones, and filling in wrinkles and creases. Juvederm Voluma can also be used for chin and jawline contouring, improving facial profile and chin projection of the lower face. Neither product is inherently better than the other, and Dr. Green frequently uses both for non-surgical cheek augmentation.
How does a liquid facelift work?
A liquid facelift is when injectable treatments, such as dermal fillers and Botox, provide patients with a naturally youthful appearance without incisions or recovery time. You will begin treatment by having an initial consultation with Dr. Green, where you will discuss your aesthetic goals, and she will examine the treatment area to develop the treatment plan that will be best for you. If you notice increased skin laxity and volume loss in the mid and lower face, dermal fillers, such as Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma, will be a solution for you. Dermal fillers work via the injection of hyaluronic acid-based gel equipped with cross-linking technology that provides structure and volume to the injection site without limiting expressive capabilities in the face. The injection also boosts collagen production with results that will continue to improve over time.
Botox can be used as a part of a liquid facelift to eliminate dynamic wrinkles on the face. Dynamic wrinkles are the creases that form when making facial expressions, such as crow’s feet that appear around the eyes when you laugh or squint, frown lines that occur between the eyebrows when you furrow your brow, and forehead lines that appear horizontally across the forehead when you raise your eyebrows. In youth, dynamic wrinkles are only apparent when you make a facial expression and disappear when the face rests. But as we age, these wrinkles become etched into the skin and are visible even when the face is at rest. Botox injections into the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles work to relax the muscles at the treatment area, creating a smooth, youthful appearance. Botox and dermal fillers are combined for a liquid facelift to restore lost volume, enhance facial contour, and eliminate dynamic wrinkles.
Which treatment is best for skin tightening: Thermage or Ultherapy?
As skin laxity increases with age, loose skin can emphasize the appearance of wrinkles, volume loss, and uneven skin texture. Luckily, non-surgical treatment options are available to tighten the skin and boost collagen production. For skin tightening treatment, Dr. Green turns to Thermage radiofrequency laser treatment, which uses radiofrequency energy to heat the inner layer of skin, boosting collagen production and tightening the skin. With various tip options and proprietary cooling technology, Thermage RF lasers can treat areas of varying sizes, from the delicate under-eye area to the jowls, without discomfort. By creating tighter, firmer skin, Thermage radiofrequency treatment also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, providing patients with a more youthful look.
Some patients ask about the difference between Thermage and Ultherapy to determine which is better. Dr. Green almost always chooses Thermage over Ultherapy for several reasons. While Thermage and Ultherapy are skin-tightening treatments, Ultherapy differs from Thermage by using ultrasound energy to penetrate the layers of soft tissue and trigger collagen production. This deep energy penetration is often more painful to patients during the procedure, leading to more discomfort. Additionally, while Thermage is not associated with severe side effects, Ultherapy can sometimes cause unwanted fat atrophy at the treatment area, giving patients a hollow or asymmetrical look.
What is the best filler for cheeks?
With many dermal filler options available, it can be challenging to determine which is best for your needs. Therefore, it is essential to begin your treatment by consulting with an expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who can recommend the dermal filler that will work best for you. Regarding cheek augmentation and restoring lost volume in the midface, the two best dermal filler options are Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma, both FDA-approved for treatment in the cheeks. Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma are hyaluronic acid fillers composed of the active ingredient hyaluronic acid, which draws and holds moisture well to hydrate the skin. While they differ in the cross-linking technology that provides the scaffolding to restore lost volume, they both work well to lift and elevate the cheeks without limiting expressive capabilities. Neither option is inherently better, and Dr. Green is an expert injector of both.
Are cheek implants better than fillers?
A surgical facelift is an invasive procedure that requires a general anesthetic and significant recovery time. For surgical cheek augmentation, a plastic surgeon will begin by drawing unwanted fat from another area of the body via liposuction for a fat graft. Alternatively, patients can receive synthetic implants made of silicone. Incisions are then made in the face to place the implant on the cheekbone via the mouth or under the eye. Implants must be carefully positioned because, once placed, they are complicated to alter or remove. There is a significant risk of adverse events following any surgical procedure, including bleeding, infection, pervasive pain, asymmetry, numbness or loss of feeling, cheek implant displacement, fluid accumulation, and blindness, and patients need to take time off from their normal activities for recovery.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are non-invasive cosmetic procedures that provide patients with a comparable effect. The effects of dermal fillers are not permanent. Still, the treatment can be repeated annually to maintain the results, allowing patients to opt for more or less filler depending on their desired outcome. Dr. Green typically employs a less-is-more approach to dermal fillers to provide patients with naturally youthful-looking results. A good non-surgical facelift candidate is any patient looking to restore lost volume, improve skin elasticity, and erase fine lines and wrinkles but is apprehensive about going under the knife.
How long do fillers last in the cheeks?
While dermal fillers do not provide permanent results, they are a long-lasting, non-surgical procedure. Following the dermal filler treatment, patients will begin to see the effects of the procedure immediately, with results that improve over the next couple of weeks. The effects of the treatment can be seen for up to a year before the body dissolves the filler. Dr. Green typically recommends annual touch-up appointments to maintain the treatment results.
How much do cheek implants cost?
The cost of surgical cheek implants varies based on several factors, including geographic location and the patient’s aesthetic goals, and tends to be significantly more expensive than non-surgical treatment. Surgical facelifts can cost between $3,000 and $10,000, with a significant risk of adverse events and recovery time. When you opt for non-surgical cosmetic treatment with Dr. Green, she will provide a cost estimate based on your treatment plan after your initial consultation.
What is non-surgical jawline contouring?
As collagen and elastin production decreases over time, high skin laxity and drooping fat pads can contribute to the appearance of jowls along the jawline. A loss in definition in the chin and jawline can be a source of distress for many patients, and Allergan Aesthetics found that 40% of patients seeking cosmetic treatment are interested in treatment for the chin and jawline. Luckily, increasingly more non-surgical options are available for jawline contouring, including dermal fillers, Thermage for skin tightening, and CoolSculpting for reducing stubborn pockets of fat. AbbVie Company recently announced a new member of the Juvederm family of dermal fillers, Juvederm Volux, explicitly designed for chin and jawline augmentation. Juvederm Volux can create more definition when injected along the jawline, reducing the appearance of jowls. Thermage can help to tighten sagging skin for a firm, defined look, and CoolSculpting fat reduction treatment can de-bulk the neck and jawline for a slimmer appearance.
What is non-surgical chin augmentation?
Chin projection can be another area of insecurity for many patients, and chin recession can increase with age as elastin and collagen production decreases. At Dr. Green’s dermatology office, several non-surgical treatment options enhance chin projection for a perfectly contoured look. Dermal fillers are highly effective regarding chin enhancement, particularly Restylane Defyne and Juvederm Volux. With a thicker gel composition, these dermal fillers can be injected into the chin to create the ideal projection and combat the appearance of a “weak” chin. Both forms of dermal fillers have effects that last up to a year and can be repeated annually to maintain the results.
What is non-surgical cheek augmentation?
Non-surgical cheek augmentation is an excellent cosmetic procedure to combat signs of aging and provide the ideal facial contour. For cheek augmentation, Dr. Green will turn to dermal fillers like Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma, which, when injected into the treatment area, have a thicker gel composition to fill in hollows and contour the cheekbones. The many benefits of dermal fillers for cheek augmentation include:
- Restore lost volume to the cheeks and mid-face
- Enhance the cheekbones for a more contoured appearance
- Improve facial symmetry
- Fill in deep creases, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Boost collagen production for smoother, firmer skin
The results of dermal filler cheek enhancement are long-lasting, providing patients with their ideal facial contour without the need for any downtime.
How to get started with a non-surgical cheek lift today
There are many reasons why patients may choose to seek out a cheek augmentation procedure. Volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face can become a distressing sign of the natural aging process, creating hollows in the cheeks, shadows under the eyes, and emphasizing creases around the nose and mouth. Some patients may find that they are unhappy with the projection of their cheekbones, wishing they had high, contoured cheeks or more facial symmetry. Many patients falsely believe that to achieve their ideal face shape, they must seek cosmetic surgery from a plastic surgeon. This procedure requires significant recovery time and a high risk of adverse events. Plastic surgery is not the only way to achieve perfectly contoured cheekbones. Many non-surgical treatment options are available at expert, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green’s New York City dermatology office, which provides patients with perfectly contoured, youthful-looking features without incisions or downtime. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma, restore lost volume, enhance the cheekbones, and improve mid and lower face contour. Thermage radiofrequency laser technology tightens the skin to combat skin laxity, and Botox reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. To learn more about non-surgical cheek augmentation and non-surgical facelifts, please get in touch with us online today or call our New York City-based office at 212-535-3088 to schedule your initial consultation.