At the Beverly Hills facial plastic surgery practice of Alfred Cohen MD, in addition to the benefits and potential of facelift surgery, patients often inquire about non-surgical anti-aging solutions such as Botox cosmetic injections. Both options are highly popular, but they serve different purposes and yield different results. In the following sections, we will delve into the details of “facelift vs Botox,” helping you understand the primary distinctions for consideration when contemplating your cosmetic treatment options and defining your aesthetic goals.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to create a more youthful facial appearance. It involves removing excess facial skin, tightening underlying tissues, and repositioning the skin on the face and neck. Facelifts are the gold standard for addressing the aged appearance of more severe skin laxity, volume loss, and deeper folds and creases. This procedure can provide dramatic and long-lasting results.
What is Botox?
Botox cosmetic injections are a premium brand of synthetic neuromodulator used to relax dynamic wrinkles. This popular treatment temporarily reduces the range of muscle movement during facial expressions, softening the visibility of existing wrinkles and fine lines and helping to prevent new ones from forming. For individuals with these concerns, beginning Botox injections and sustaining their results with a professionally recommended maintenance schedule may be the perfect interim to undergoing facelift surgery.
Facelift vs Botox: Key Differences
Treatment Purpose – Facelifts are ideal for lasting improvement of moderate to significant age-related sagging and deep tissue laxity of the face and neck. Botox is suitable for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by muscle movements in the forehead, in between the eyebrows, and around the outer corners of the eyes.
Procedure Type – A facelift is a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia and significant recovery time; and requires thoughtful consideration as to the cost, the potential risks, and one’s longer-term aesthetic goals for more transformative improvement. A cosmetic injectable treatment such as Botox offers temporary results, and convenience and is suited to those seeking cosmetic improvement for dynamic lines and wrinkles.
Duration of Results – Results from a facelift can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the individual’s lifestyle and aging process. Botox results typically last between 3 to 6 months. The results of both types of cosmetic procedures can be impacted by lifestyle factors such as significant fluctuations in weight or consistent and prolonged sun exposure without adequate sunscreen protection.
Procedure Cost- Without question, a facelift is more costly upfront but considered an investment given its long-lasting nature. Botox, while less expensive per session, requires ongoing maintenance. The financial investment in one’s cosmetic procedures is understandably a consideration important to patients, but obviously, a more equitable one when choosing from options that align more equitably with one another in their results potential.
Bridging the Gap Between Botox and a Traditional Facelift
Fortunately, for those who can benefit and prefer it, there are also modern facelift techniques that are less robust in scope than early methods of traditional facelift surgery. As well as more comprehensive approaches of non-surgical options for mild to moderate wrinkles, skin laxity, and volume loss of the mid and lower regions of the face and jawline. Customized combinations of laser and skin renewal treatments and cosmetic injectables can provide a lifting effect without surgery.
Learn More with a Consultation
We invite you to schedule an appointment for comprehensive and personalized guidance on surgical and non-surgical facial procedures. Choosing the right enhancement procedure starts with an experienced provider. Contact us today and schedule a consultation at the plastic surgery practice of double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Alfred Cohen, MD in Beverly Hills, CA.