subject: Face Lift Without Surgery [print this page] Sagging, wrinkled skin is one of the most unwanted signs of aging. Fortunately, however, there are now various ways to improve one's overall appearance without the time, cost, and pain of undergoing a traditional surgical face lift. There are treatments that are generally much less invasive and involve fewer complications than surgery. Such treatments however, may give benefits that last for a much shorter time. For many though, they are infinitely preferable to going under the knife.
There are several non-surgical face lift procedures to choose from. Some procedures are less invasive while some are more costly, and each of them has their own benefits and risks. Some of the more popular procedures for improving one's facial appearance are as follows::
Botox
Botox is probably the most popular non surgery procedure today (more than 5 million injections were performed in one recent year alone). Botox involves the bacterium called Botulinum toxin being injected into the facial area. The toxin actually paralyses the muscles in the face, making the skin appear tauter. This gives the appearance of smoother skin with much less lines and wrinkles Botox treatment is reckoned to be safe, since the effects are only local and don't affect the rest of the body. There can be some side effects though, such as headache, flu-like symptoms, temporary eyelid droop, nausea, double vision, eye twitching, squint, facial pain, redness at the injection site, or muscle weakness. The whole procedure involves a series of injections and costs an average of $300 to $350 per session. The effect of Botox lasts only four to up to six months.
Collagen and/or Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Collagen is a protein that is naturally found on the skin, and injecting the skin with collagen can plump up the tissues and get rid of fine lines. Collagen is a protein that is essential to the network of fibres that supports the skin, its blood vessels, and surface layers. It is the gradual reduction, as we age, of the amounts of collagen just under the skin, that is a major cause of wrinkles, so that, injecting some back as a "filler" helps to smoothe the skin and reduce the appearance of lines. Collagen injections cost about $350 per session, while hyaluronic acid costs an average of $550.
Skin Resurfacing Procedures
Techniques such as dermabrasion, chemical peel, Thermage and laser skin resurfacing, are all in their infancy, but good results have been achieved in the right circumstances. Dermabrasion and chemical peel usually involve removal of the skin's outer layers to reveal a smoother, more wrinkle-free under layers. This treatment can involve some facial discomfort and soreness afterwards.
Thermage is a popular anti-aging treatment which uses heat to stimulate the re-growth of collagen. It uses radio frequency technology to heat up the deeper, collagen rich layers of the skin to stimulate production of new collagen.
Laser face treatment, on the other hand, employs laser technology to tighten and resurface the skin's outer layers to decrease wrinkles. These procedures range from $150 to up to $2,000 per treatment.
Face Lift Creams
If you want the least invasive procedure, there are a wide variety of creams available which have been improving and increasing in the last few years.. Face lift creams today contain natural amino acids such as acetyl hexapeptide and alpha-hydroxy acid that help to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, and at the same time can stimulate the growth of collagen to some extent. It is less than certain as to how effective these creams can be because they may not be adequately absorbed beneath the surface layers. These treatments can cost from less than a hundred, up to a few hundred dollars, with optimum results seen within 2 to 3 months. Although it will take time for results to be seen, they offer convenience, safety and cost-effectiveness.
One needs to be aware that there are creams and lotions that contain harsh chemicals that can cause inflammation and cause skin redness and itching. It is best to buy only a well known brand with natural ingredients such as vitamins and anti-oxidants.
