With the help of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, we investigate the limits of non-invasive treatments
Summary
Less invasive aesthetic interventions have limitations and do not replace facelifts, which offer more natural and long-lasting results.
No one can say that less invasive cosmetic procedures don’t work, especially given the countless advances seen in recent years. But they certainly cannot (and should not) be compared to a facelift. This is because there is a “limit” to needle sticks, an increasingly debated topic among professionals.
“Depending on sagging skin, excess skin, lack of fat on the face, it would be necessary to reposition the face and restore volume. And for this, depending on the case, numerous procedures would be necessary to stimulate collagen, firm the skin and restore volume. Often, no matter how many procedures are performed, the result is not ideal. This is because there is so much sagging skin, there is so much skin left that surgery is really necessary. When some professionals try to do this using only fillers, the result is even worse! Because the result is a ’round’, ‘full moon’ face, with loss of appearance”, explains dermatologist Paola Pomerantzeff, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.
“A doctor’s recommendation is essential. Radiofrequency, microneedling, microfocused ultrasound are technologies that work for mild cases, but cannot be compared, for example, to a facelift. And in the case of injectables it is better to be even more careful: there is a point where surgery will be necessary, because an excess of fillers will result in an artificial face,” explains plastic surgeon Paolo Rubez, a full member of the Society Brazilian. of Plastic Surgery.
It may seem strange to say that injectable procedures can give an artificial look while surgery offers a natural look.
“This idea comes from ancient references to facelifts. If you were to describe some of the redesigns done in the 80s and 90s, words like “tight” or “stretched” might come to mind. Today it is more likely to be “beautiful”, “more natural” and, in many cases, “virtually undetectable” – precisely because people may not realize that that result comes from plastic surgery,” explains plastic surgeon Beatriz Lassance, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery.
“Also, it is very difficult to find a person’s scar, which is another important point of new techniques that leave no tension on the skin. The most recent techniques are able to reposition even the deepest tissues and the result is more aesthetically pleasing and natural”, summarizes the doctor.
Paolo Rubez points out that modern techniques treat all layers that show aging, from the surface to the muscle. “Another important point is that the result lasts longer since the face has been treated globally. Today the greatest evolution is to treat the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System), the tissue that covers the muscles, using stitches to reposition it”, explains the doctor.
Admitting that there is a limit to less invasive procedures does not in any way mean that they do not have their value in the management of aging. “If you had asked me 20 years ago, I would have said that, generally speaking, a woman in her 40s would get a facelift. Today I have patients in their 60s who still undergo non-invasive procedures. So, in general, for the well-groomed, well-groomed patient who has no comorbidities and who undergoes the procedures ethically, with an annual treatment program, the gift for the 50-year-old woman is a blepharoplasty, sometimes anticipated, also depending on genetic, hereditary and personal conditions. The gift for a 60-year-old woman is a facelift”, explains dermatologist Claudia Marçal, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.
“But there is an indication for several factors, which depend on the patient’s genetics, the degree of photoaging and lifestyle habits, such as smoking, an inadequate diet, sleep deprivation, lack of routine for skin care skin,” he adds.
Therefore, prevention is essential. “Stimulate collagen, firm the skin, leaving all layers of the face treated and not just ‘filling up with foam’. When the treatment is preventive and continues over years, the result is natural and long-lasting. Maintains the appearance and beauty of each person in a unique way. The exaggerated use of fillers leaves everyone ’round and similar’”, underlines dermatologist Paola Pomerantzeff.
And just like preventive botulinum toxin, the idea of a “preventive” deep facelift can also be relevant – and in some cases well indicated. “Younger patients heal faster and face lifts last an average of 10 to 15 years,” says Beatriz.
However, the doctor reminds you that a facelift is a surgical treatment and requires pre-operative examinations and evaluations and post-operative care. And precisely because it is a complex treatment, it requires a highly trained plastic surgeon to mitigate the possibility of complications and be able to resolve them if they occur. “Face lifts, especially those of the deep planes, are rather complex procedures and recovery times can vary from two weeks for the most acute phase to a few months for the final result of the treatment, depending on the facelift performed and the age of the patient. patient .”, says Beatriz
But restyling is often not the end of the journey. “Many people still choose to use injectables afterward and there is no problem. It is advisable to always consult your doctor for the correct indication of the procedure. But trying to achieve the same aesthetic results as surgery with injectables tends to be disastrous,” comments Paolo Rubez. “Often, after a facelift, it is very interesting for the patient to undergo an ablative laser, such as CO2. And we also use regenerative medicine procedures. Sometimes we also use non-insulated microneedles to compact the tissues and improve the viscoelasticity of the skin,” says dermatologist Claudia Marçal.
Regarding pre- and post-procedure care, Paolo reminds you that, before the operation, the patient must be in good clinical condition and must not use drugs that increase bleeding, close to the operation, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatories . “After surgery it is normal to feel swelling and purpleness on the face, which improves within two to three weeks. It is not common for there to be pain after surgery. The patient must remain at relative rest for two or three weeks and refrain from physical activities for 30 days. Also, you should avoid the sun for two months. It is essential that the surgery is performed by a specialist plastic surgeon,” he says.
Remove the filling or not?
According to Paola, removing the filler before the facelift is a decision of the plastic surgeon. “If the patient has a ‘deformed’ face due to excessive and improper use of a large amount of fillers, it will probably be ideal: remove excess hyaluronic acid and then examine the ‘real’ face and create a plan surgical,” explains the dermatologist.
“If there is a large volume of hyaluronic acid in the infraorbital region, the surgeon will have more difficulty performing the operation, because there is congestion there, since hyaluronic acid is highly hygroscopic (draws in a lot of water), the removal . When a patient comes to the office with an unsightly change, with a swollen face, with excess hyaluronic acid, I use the antagonist (hyaluronidase) to remove it”, concludes Claudia Marçal.
inspires transformation in the world of work, in business, in society. Compasso, a content and connection agency, is born.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
