Unfortunately, despite what industry players and device makers would have you believe, no one single tool or technique is better than the next.
Rather, each tool has its place. In choosing the best skin tightening or approach for you, there are several things to consider:
- How much downtime would you be willing to accept
- Your age, expectations and philosophy towards rejuvenation.
- Quality of your skin, and amount of facial soft tissue laxity or sagging your have.
- Face shape and volume.
- Are you looking at (a) a completely non surgical approach, (b) A minimally invasive approach, or (c) A surgical approach.
- Cost and Budget
Non-surgical approach (no needles, just topical cream Anaesthesia)
Suitable for younger patients with less laxity, who may be looking to start early prevention and maintenance. And for older patients who do not want surgery.
Energy based devices utilizing high intensity focused Ultrasound (HIFU Eg. Ulthera, Ultraformer, Doublo), Radiofrequency (eg. Thermage), Infrared (eg. BBL SkinTyte), and Lasers (eg. fractional CO2, Mosaic etc.) Different energy sources work at different depths and have different effects and so aren’t directly comparable. Many of our own protocols utilize multiple devices to tighten skin and soft tissue at multiple depths for optimal results.
Minimally invasive approach (some needles, usually under topical or local Anaesthesia)
Suitable for patients with some early laxity; for older patients who do not want surgery, or patients who may simply desire a more “natural refreshed look”.
Rebalancing facial muscles with botox, Lessens the downward pull of specific facial muscles to allow the elevators to lift facial features.
Replacing volume in critical facial areas with dermal fillers, also helps to restore youthful proportions and symmetry.-
Improving tissue tone and tautness, redistributing sagging tissue using absorbable threadlifts or fiber optic delivered laser skin tightening.
A Combination approach
A combination of various minimally invasive techniques together with the non-invasive energy based devices, will optimize results for patients and generally provides the highest satisfaction. Treating skin laxity at multiple levels is naturally more effective.
Combination minimally invasive approaches have the benefit of rapid recovery and little downtime, and patients return for maintenance treatments and touch ups at intervals of approximately 1-3 years.
Every face is different and each patient has different desires.
Combining procedures in a Harmonious way, for natural looking results, to give you your desired effect, does require experience and sensitivity. An in depth and personal assessment is required. Speak to a doctor with the requisite experience and technical expertise, who understands your desires and whom you feel shares your aesthetic sensibilities.
Surgical approach
Surgical Facelifts reposition saggy (ptotic) soft tissue in layers, and removes excess skin. These may be sometimes be combined with fat grafting to restore volume to deficient areas. These give much more dramatic improvements in one sitting, but as you would expect, downtime is longer, and surgical risks higher. Touch ups may still be required after 7-10 years on average.
Best Regards,
Dr Jonathan Lee
