Non surgical skin lifting can include a number of different treatments and procedures that aim to address the effects of skin aging and sagging. Loose skin tissues are lifted. Often, they stimulate collagen and elastin and tighten skin as well
Areas suitable for non-surgical skin lifting
- Browlift
- Cheek and lower face lift
- Jowl and jawline lift
- Neck lift
- Décolletage lift (and “”breast lift””)
- Other areas : abdomen, knee , arms
Types of non-surgical skin lifting procedures
- Radiofrequency skin lifting: Thermage FLX
- Ultrasound skin tightening: Ultherapy
- Jet volumetric remodelling (JVR) : Enerjet
- Absorbable thread lifts: PDO, Silhouette thread, happy lifts
- Dermal filler skin lifting
- Intradermal neuromodulator lift
Thermage FLX for Non-surgical skin lifting
Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to tighten loose and sagging skin. It is safe for all skin types. It tightens and firm up skin as well as giving a lift to the face, neck and décolletage. One treatment gives results that can last up to 15 months
Advantages of the Thermage FLX over other radiofrequency treatments
- Single treatment
- Thermage FLX is safe to treat over the upper eyelid
- Relatively short treatment time: 35-45 minutes
- The larger FLX tip enables a more extensive surface area to be targeted
- AccuREP technology that provides more precise energy and a more fine-tuned pulse to each treatment area and hence increases the efficacy
Ultherapy for Non-surgical skin lifting
Ultherapy by Merz is a non-invasive USA- FDA cleared procedure to lift skin on the neck, under the chin and on the eyebrow. It has also received FDA clearance for improving lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. The Ultherapy delivers focussed ultrasound energy to the muscular layer (SMAS layer) that can be tightened to lift skin (the same layer that surgeons used in facelift procedures). This energy contracts the SMAS layer and strengthens weak collagen and this in turn initiates the body’s response to stimulate the growth of new collagen.
Advantages of Ultherapy for non-surgical skin tightening
- Uses real-time ultrasound imaging during treatment: This images the layers and structures within the skin, ensuring that the energy is safely and precisely delivered to where it will be most beneficial
- A single treatment that can produce a visible skin “lift”: USA-FDA approval for eyebrow lift
- Non-invasive and non-injectable procedure
- Besides skin lifting, Ultherapy stimulates collagen and improves wrinkles and skin texture
Absorbable thread lifts for non-surgical skin lifting
Absorbable thread lift is a non-surgical, minimally invasive facelift and/or body contouring procedure that uses special suture threads to “lift up” sagging skin on the neck and face, buttocks, arms and other areas. Thread lifts generally lift the skin by a few millimetres giving a subtle and natural looking end result. Thread lifts are suitable for mild to moderate signs of skin laxity
Types of absorbable thread lifts commonly used
- Poly-L-lactic acid thread: Silhouette Soft
- Poly-L lactic acid and polycaprolactone: Happy lift
- Polydioxanone: Mint thread lift
Advantages of non-surgical skin lifting with thread lift
- Thread lifts produce a subtle but visible “lift”” in the skin, pulling the skin back slightly and therefore lifting and tightening the area and reposition the drooping fat
- In addition, thread lifts stimulate collagen production in the treated areas and improve the aging skin
- Create a better facial contour
- Minimal downtime and low risk compared to surgical lift
- Reposition localised fat pockets
Candidates for non-surgical skin lifting with thread lifts
- Patients who want a non-surgical skin lift but not ready for surgery
- Patients who request for minimal downtime
- Patients who had a facelift and wish to extend their results
- Young patients who wish for a more defined face shape or contour
- Patients who had skin tightening procedures
Derma fillers for non -surgical skin lifting
Dermal fillers can be injected into a number of places or anchor points to achieve a more youthful and lifted appearance.
Dermal fillers for non-surgical skin lifting consist of
- Hyaluronic acid filler
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse)
- Polycaprolactone (Ellanse)
- Poly-L- lactic acid (Sculptra)
- Profhilo
Sites for non-surgical dermal filler lifting
- Forehead and brow lift
- Midcheek lift
- Corners of mouth
- Jawline definition
- Back of hands
Neuromodulator for non-surgical skin lifting
Neuromodulator when injected intradermally can create a subtle lift and enhance facial contour, giving a more V-shaped contour. It can also refine the opening of pores and decrease skin oiliness
