Magazines, social media influencers and blogs today are constantly touting the fact that a certain procedure can deliver a non-surgical facelift like result. But is this actually fact? While yes, it is possible to improve both your skin tone and texture without surgery, the key to a successful non-surgical facelift, or any aesthetic procedure for that matter, is always going to come down to proper patient selection.
Thanks to the internet, patients are more educated about plastic surgery than at any other time in history. However, the downside to the world wide web is that the information is often “one size fits all” when the reality is that every one of us is unique. What worked for your sister, friend or colleague may not work for you. This is why I always encourage my patients to schedule an in-person consultation at my Long Island office. It is important for me to assess your anatomy in order to determine whether or not you will receive the kind of rejuvenating benefits that you want from a non-surgical procedure.
Understanding Facial Aging
It’s important to understand that facial aging happens to everyone. Starting at about 25, your body begins to produce less collagen and elastin. The first provides support like the beams of a house while the latter is what allows the skin to snap back into place after you laugh, cry or frown. Certain lifestyle choices such as:
- sun exposure
- weight gain/loss
- healthful diet
- consistent exercise regime
- whether you live in or near a big polluted city
These factors can speed up the process, but with time, everyone begins to experience skin texture issues such as:
- fine lines & wrinkles
- brown spots
- hyperpigmentation
- redness
- “crepey” uneven skin texture
Non-Surgical Procedures to Improve Skin Texture
Thankfully, I offer my patients a wide array of effective non-surgical modalities for improving skin texture. In your 20’s, it may be something as simple as high quality skin care. I love the SkinMedica line because it delivers measurable, visible results. For patients with more severe texture issues, I am an advocate of microneedling, radiofrequency (RF) or a combination of the two. In fact, in my practice:
These procedures have replaced laser skin resurfacing because I have found them to be much more effective with less risk of complications. Smoothing out uneven skin texture is one of those things that packs a serious rejuvenation punch. Glowing skin is youthful looking skin. Patients are always pleasantly surprised with how much more vital they feel after a skin resurfacing procedure.
Non-Surgical Procedures to Improve Skin Tone
While skin texture issues are best addressed with non-surgical procedures, an issue with your skin tone is where things can get more complicated. As your collagen levels drop, the skin begins to droop or sag. This is what results in the dreaded “jowling” that seems to appear almost overnight around the mouth. It also leads to deeper lines, wrinkles and furrows around the nose (nasolabial folds). I find that patients with mild to moderate skin tone issues are often great candidates for a non-surgical facelift with Botox and fillers. The former works by temporarily paralyzing the underlying dynamic muscles in the treatment area, thus smoothing out the surface of the skin, while the latter works by literally filling in lost volume.
Fillers, Botox and microneedling with RF can all deliver a slight lift to the skin thus improving skin tone. However, once your skin becomes severely loose, trying to “lift” it with volume does not work. We’ve all seen those people with that overly firm, puffed out mouth area. It just looks strange. As someone who prides himself on delivering a natural looking result, I will always be honest with you if I think it’s time for a surgical facelift. Bottom line, I want you to look and feel great. This means finding the exact right procedure or procedures to fit your individual anatomy, lifestyle and needs.
To find out more about fillers, Botox, microneedling, Morpheus 8 and SkinMedica skin care with Dr. Mark Epstein in Long Island, contact us today or call 631-689-1100 to schedule a consultation.
