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Expert Doctor

Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation

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Ryan Greene, MD

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation

Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation aims to achieve rejuvenation of the face without resorting to surgery. When people want to reverse the effects of aging, they often turn to facial surgery to rejuvenate their appearance. Though many patients think surgery is their only option, this is actually untrue. Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation is a great option for restoring the volume of the face as well as tightening and/or improving the quality and overall texture of the skin. Some procedure options include:

Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing

The type of treatment performed varies per patient as each treatment is individualized to meet the specific needs of a person.

Am I a Good Candidate for Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation?

A GOOD CANDIDATE for nonsurgical facial rejuvenation is:

  • Patients in their 30s and 40s, or older, who are experiencing signs of aging in the face and/or neck  
  • Younger patients experiencing premature signs of aging
  • Someone who wants to undergo facial rejuvenation without having a surgical procedure such as a facelift

Patients who are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES for nonsurgical facial rejuvenation include:

  • Someone looking for the permanent results that can be achieved by a surgical facial rejuvenation procedure
  • Patients with skin laxity that is classified as being more than mild or moderate
  • Anyone who has unrealistic expectations about the type of results that can be achieved by nonsurgical facial rejuvenation

How is Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation Performed?

The type of treatment performed during nonsurgical facial rejuvenation depends on the individual patient as well as the desired results. Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation can be performed in the following ways:

Botox/Dysport – This is a neuromodulator injected into the muscle to temporarily stop it from contracting. The relaxed muscle can no longer contract and cannot create a wrinkle. Botox treats wrinkles and fine lines located in the forehead, between the eyebrows and in the Crow’s feet around the eyes.

Fillers – Injectables that restore facial volume and fill-in lines in areas such as the cheeks, the lips and perioral region, the under eye area (tear trough) and the nasolabial folds (the lines running from the sides of the mouth to the chin). There are a number of fillers that can be used including hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane and Juvederm), calcium-based filler (Radiesse), collagen stimulators (Sculptra), and permanent fillers (BellaFill). 

Chemical Peels – A chemical peel can smooth the texture of the skin through a chemical solution that causes dead skin to slough off. The dead skin eventually peels away and a new layer of skin is revealed that is smoother and less wrinkled. Peels are classified as light, medium or deep peels.

Kybella – An injection that reduces excess fat beneath the chin through the use of a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid.

Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing – A treatment that uses laser energy heat to rejuvenate the skin. Non-ablative lasers deliver heat to improve fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes as well as increase collagen production.

What is the Cost of Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation?

The cost of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation varies by the type of treatment performed, if multiple treatments are performed and any fees charged by the doctor or the facility. In general, here are the costs of the treatments described in the section above:

  • Botox - $200-$1000
  • Fillers – $600-$1000 per syringe
  • Chemical Peels – A light peel is $100-$250, a medium peel is anywhere from $400-700 and a deep peel can cost $700-$1000
  • Kybella – $800-$2000
  • Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing – $600-$2000

Recovery and Downtime

There is very little RECOVERY time involved with any type of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. Some patients will experience swelling, bruising and redness that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days (with chemical peels). With laser procedures, there can be some DOWNTIME but it is generally anywhere from a few days to a week. It all depends on how quickly the patient wants to step out in public with the swelling that occurs after the laser treatment.

Results

The results of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation depend on the type of treatment performed. In general, here is the length of results that patients can expect from nonsurgical facial rejuvenation:

Botox/Dysport – The results may not be visible for a week or two and lasts approximately 3-6 months depending on the patient.

Fillers – The results from fillers can be seen immediately when used to enhance volume. Fillers used for wrinkles will show results as the swelling subsides. The results of fillers last from 6 to 12 months to 2 years depending on the type and amount of filler used.

Chemical Peels – Results after a light peel are visible soon after the peel. It can take 2 to 3 months for the final results to be apparent after a medium or deep peel. Light chemical peels can be repeated yearly while the results of a medium depth peel can last 2 to 3 years. A deep peel should only be performed once and the results can last up to 10 years.

Kybella – The results from Kybella become apparent after about 4-6 weeks and the fat below the chin is permanently removed and will not return.

Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing – The skin fades from a reddish tone to a pink tone in a few hours but there is still post-inflammatory swelling. New collagen occurs about 6 weeks after treatment. The skin will begin to smooth out and final results can be expected about 6 months after the treatment. The results are long lasting provided the patient maintains a healthy skincare routine.

Limitations of Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation

Some common limitations of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation include:

  • The amount of change that can be made in the appearance of a patient without using surgical methods
  • The results of Botox, fillers and chemical peels are not permanent
  • The amount of change that can be made in patients that have a good amount of skin laxity

Risks of Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation

The risks involved with nonsurgical facial rejuvenation include:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pinkness or redness after the treatment
  • Burning (after laser treatment or a chemical peel)
  • Asymmetry
  • Lumps or bumps
  • Secondary infection
  • Changes in sensation (after a chemical peel)
  • Crusting and peeling (after a chemical peel)
  • Itching
  • Cold sore reactivation or acne breakout
  • Hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation (after a laser or a chemical peel)
  • Scarring (after a laser or chemical peel)
  • Loss of expression if too much Botox is injected

A Way to Look Younger Without Surgery

Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation is a great option for patients who want to look younger, and more refreshed, without the hassle of surgery. The fact that there are so many options means patients need to do their research and make sure they choose the treatment that will help them achieve the desired results. A board-certified doctor will walk a person through the various procedures and give them the “pros and cons” of each one in order to make an educated decision.

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Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team through an exclusive interview provided by Dr. Ryan Green in Fort Lauderdale, FL.