Facelift vs Injectables: Which Path Is Right for You?
When it comes to rejuvenating the face, two of the most talked-about options are surgical facelifts and non-surgical injectables. Both can deliver transformative results, but they differ significantly in process, goals, and commitment. Understanding the decision-making process behind each option is key to choosing what’s best for you.
The Goals
At their core, both facelifts and injectables aim to restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance. The difference lies in how they achieve it:
Facelift: Surgically lifts and repositions the deeper structures of the face, tightening skin and improving sagging.
Injectables (fillers, Botox, etc.): Restore volume, smooth lines, and relax wrinkles, creating a fresher look without surgery.
The Decision-Making Process
Age & Concerns: Patients with mild-to-moderate wrinkles or early volume loss often benefit most from injectables. Those with more advanced sagging, jowls, or significant laxity may consider a facelift.
Downtime: Injectables are quick, often called "lunchtime treatments," while a facelift requires anesthesia, surgery, and weeks of recovery.
Longevity: Facelift results can last 7–10 years, whereas injectables typically last 6–18 months.
The Benefits
Facelift: Provides dramatic, long-lasting rejuvenation, especially for the mid- to lower face. Results are more comprehensive and structural.
Injectables: Offer subtle, customizable results with minimal downtime. They can also serve as a “preview” of surgical results.
Use Cases
Facelift: Best for patients looking to correct deeper sagging, restore jawline definition, and achieve a major transformation.
Injectables: Ideal for patients seeking small refinements—filling nasolabial folds, plumping lips, restoring cheek volume, or softening forehead lines.
Risks to Consider
Facelift: As with any surgery, there are risks of scarring, infection, anesthesia complications, and longer healing.
Injectables: While lower-risk, injectables still carry potential issues like bruising, asymmetry, or, rarely, vascular complications.
The Bottom Line
Neither option is “better” universally—it depends on your goals, your anatomy, and your lifestyle. Injectables offer flexibility and a non-surgical entry point into aesthetics, while a facelift provides a more permanent reset for those ready for surgery.
For many patients, the right solution is not an either/or but a combination: a facelift for structure, with injectables to fine-tune and maintain results over time.
Appointment Inquiries
For inquiries and appointments, please email appointments at appointments@laradevganmd.com or call 212-452-2400. You may also use the following button to schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!