I Don’t Want a Facelift: What Are My Options?

The popularity of plastic surgery continues to rise each year. Lately, there has been a strong focus on surgeries that either get rid of fat or reshape the face. But, that doesn’t mean that thousands of people are going out and lining up to have facelifts. 

In fact, thanks to advancements in technology and medicine, facelifts actually aren’t as popular as they once were. Instead, many people are looking for non-invasive facelift alternatives that are both safe and effective. 

People want to reshape their face for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s to reduce the signs of aging. For others, tightening up excess skin or smoothing out lines is their goal. 

Whatever your reason, you don’t necessarily have to go “under the knife” and get a facelift if you don’t want one. Today, there are many different options that can get you similar (or better) results with less recovery time, fewer risks, and less pain. Plus, the results of many of these procedures look more natural and because they don’t require extensive surgical procedures, they are less expensive. 

So, what are the best facelift alternatives? 

Non Surgical Facelift Alternatives

Nonsurgical procedures are great for “turning back the clock”. They can make your face look toned, tightened, and lifted in a short period of time without ever going under the knife. But, because there are several options to consider, it’s important to know how they work so you can decide which one is right for you. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular nonsurgical options. 

Laser Skin Resurfacing

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is great for a variety of different issues. It can help to treat acne scars, sun damage, and blotchiness. But, it is also great for people dealing with wrinkles and lines or natural textural changes to the skin that happen with age. The process involves the utilization of pixelated carbon dioxide. The CO2 laser has the longest wavelength when compared to other types of laser treatments in the industry, and can be used on almost any skin type. Another benefit is that this type of laser can really combat deep-set wrinkles. Many other laser treatments only deal with surface wrinkles and fine lines. CO2 laser skin resurfacing can not only help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles but also encourage natural collagen production in your skin. That can help you to look younger and your skin to look healthier. 

Full skin resurfacing with dermablate laser

Botox

By now, almost everyone has heard of Botox. Over 1.5 million Botox injections were given in the U.S. in 2018. Many people from America and Canada come to Tijuana for Botox treatments, so that number is actually even higher for Americans. 

Because of Botox’s popularity over the last decade, there have been many stereotypes surrounding the product and procedure. Unfortunately, most people get their information wrong. When administered the right way, Botox is completely safe and won’t leave you with that “frozen” look that people often joke about. 

Botox is actually a muscle relaxant that has become widely known for its ability to reduce the signs of aging. It also helps to prevent new wrinkles from forming. It’s a completely non-invasive procedure that will allow you to see results in as little as 48-72 hours.  

forehead botox before and after

Check Out Our Pricing Page Here

Thermage

Thermage is known as a skin-tightening treatment, and it works incredibly well for those who are trying to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. A thermage treatment uses powerful radiofrequency to tighten the skin with no downtime and reduce the signs of aging. A single treatment can often be done during a lunch hour, and there is no downtime to worry about. It’s one of the easiest, fastest, and most effective ways to get a “facelift” look without having to undergo any type of surgery.

thermage

Chemical Peels

Don’t let the phrase “chemical peels” worry you. They are completely safe and medical-grade to ensure that they don’t harm your skin in any way. A signature peel is meant to remove the outermost layer of the skin cells on your face. That helps to reveal healthy, younger-looking skin underneath and gets rid of the dull and dry skin that was there before. While this obviously isn’t a permanent fix, it’s a very quick and safe way to look younger in a very short time. Plus, your skin will feel better, cleaner, and healthier. 

chemical peel

Restore

At Vida, we offer a laser therapy called. It is designed to rejuvenate your skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help with a variety of other skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation and sun damage. 

Restore uses a fractionated laser to stimulate the production of collagen in your skin. Not only will it make your skin look smoother and younger, but it can give you a healthy “glow” right away. 

laser therapy, skin care, beauty, dermatology, dermatologist, VIDA, tijuana

Are There Other Surgical Options?

If you don’t want to get a traditional facelift but you don’t mind the idea of surgery, you might want to consider a “mini lift”. Unlike a traditional facelift, you can achieve similar results with a smaller incision. 

Traditional facelifts often start with an incision at the temples near the hairline. That incision goes around the ear and ends at the lower part of the scalp. With a “mini lift”, there is only one small incision made at the temples that go around the ears. The results are less extreme than those that come with a traditional facelift. But, for people with just a bit of sagging skin or a few wrinkles, it can be a great alternative with less healing time. 

You can also adjust the appearance of your face by considering a neck lift. You might think that you have sagging skin around the bottom part of your face, jaw, and chin. But, getting a neck lift could actually help to remedy that. A neck lift can help with “sagging jowls,” which can give your face the appearance of being tighter and higher. 

Why Are Facelifts Becoming Less Popular? 

It’s interesting to consider that traditional facelift procedures are becoming less popular, because the plastic surgery industry is focusing on the face more than ever. But, now that you’ve seen some of the popular non-surgical options that can compete with facelift, it’s really no wonder why the popularity of the traditional surgery is waning. 

First, most people don’t want to experience a lot of down time after a surgery. Many of the non-invasive procedures listed here require little-to-no downtime. Plus, aside from a bit of redness and/or irritation, no one will notice that you had anything done. 

Traditional facelifts can also be quite costly. Most of the alternative options are much cheaper and can achieve similar results. Thanks to major advancements in technology, facelifts can seem a bit outdated to some. That doesn’t mean they are completely obsolete. For some people, facelifts really are the best option to get them the look they want. But, if you don’t want to go under the knife, and of the alternatives listed here could work for you. 

Consider What You Want to Do

Undergoing a facelift is a big decision. It might not feel as “extreme” when you’re taking part in one of the other procedures listed above. But, whether you go under the knife or not, it’s important to ask yourself why you want or feel you need face reshaping or skin tightening. Understanding your underlying motivation can make the decision about it easier for you. It can also help you to feel more confident in what you’re doing, even if it’s a non-invasive option. 

It’s also important to consider your expectations. These procedures are all meant to give you younger-looking skin with fewer wrinkles. But, there are subtle differences to consider. Some procedures are also beneficial for other skin conditions. Some procedures also work better on different skin types (lighter, darker, etc.) Talking with one of our doctors can help you to decide which one best fits your needs based on what you expect to see. 

You might even want to take different procedures into consideration based on your budget. As we mentioned earlier, non-surgical procedures are often much more cost effective than traditional facelifts. But, it’s still a good idea to know what to expect when it comes to the overall cost, so you can stay within your budget and still find satisfaction in the results. 

At Vida Wellness & Beauty, we offer a variety of different skin rejuvenating and facial treatments that can help you to defy the aging process and achieve younger-looking skin. Of course, we also offer traditional facelifts if you change your mind and decide that is your best option. If you want to know more about your options, feel free to contact us for more information on fighting the signs of aging.  

Read more about Dr. Quiroz here or below.

Dr. Alejandro Quiroz

Dr. Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.