When it comes to facial rejuvenation procedures, facelift surgery and Botox injections rank among the most-popular treatments. However, for those who want to quickly and safely revitalize their facial appearance, deciding between both treatments can be difficult.
At the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh educates men and women about all aspects of facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Azizzadeh is world-renowned for his expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and head and neck surgery, and he helps individuals determine if facelift surgery, Botox injections, or other facial rejuvenation treatments can deliver the desired results. Once a patient identifies the ideal facial rejuvenation procedure, Dr. Azizzadeh then crafts a custom treatment plan to revitalize the facial appearance.
So, which is better for facial rejuvenation: a facelift procedure or Botox injections? To find out, let’s examine both facial rejuvenation treatments in detail.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, also referred to as a rhytidectomy, treats visible signs of aging in the face and neck. The surgical procedure rejuvenates the facial appearance and ensures a patient’s facial features complement one another.
With a rhytidectomy, a patient can enhance the facial contours and repair loose skin. The procedure also improves the facial shape and tightens facial muscles, leading to a balanced, natural-looking facial appearance.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Rhytidectomy?
People who display any of the following facial issues may be a good candidate for a facelift:
- Loose skin
- Skin volume loss
- Facial wrinkles, expression lines, or other visible signs of aging
- Asymmetrical facial appearance
There is no ideal age to undergo a facelift procedure. Men and women can receive a facelift in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Patients in their 70s and 80s have benefits from facelift surgery as well.
Although a rhytidectomy is often beneficial for men and women, the procedure is not intended for everyone. An individual can undergo the procedure to correct various signs of aging in the face, such as jowls, loss of skin elasticity, or creases that form between the corners of the mouth and base of the nose. Yet, in some instances, individuals do not qualify for this treatment.
Before a rhytidectomy is performed, a patient receives a full medical evaluation. At this time, it is determined if a patient has any medical conditions that could increase the risk of surgery complications.
Facelift surgery is not recommended if an individual is dealing with diabetes or high blood pressure. It is also not intended for people coping with any medical conditions that hamper blood clotting. If an individual smokes or has a history of frequent weight loss or gain, Botox, or other alternative facial rejuvenation treatments may be recommended.
What Is Botox?
A Botox procedure is a non-surgical alternative to facelift surgery that is noninvasive and requires only minutes to complete. As such, it is a top facial rejuvenation treatment for men and women who want to improve their facial appearance without going under the knife.
During this treatment, a patient receives injections of botulinum toxin, which helps relax muscle movements in the face. The procedure involves the use of injections in specific areas of a patient’s face, and the amount of botulinum toxin injected into the face varies based on the individual.
Thanks to the treatment, an individual can reduce the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles. Botox also helps correct frown lines, bunny lines, and other visible signs of aging in the face. It can even be used to treat neck wrinkles.
Are You a Good Candidate for Botox?
Most people can qualify for Botox if they are physically healthy and do not have a history of neuromuscular disease. Also, Botox patients must be at least 18 years old and not pregnant or nursing.
In addition, there are certain facial skin issues that Botox won’t necessarily correct. These include:
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
- Severe facial scars
- Skin disorders near potential injection sites
There may be times when one or more dermal fillers may be better options than Botox for patients, too. For instance, a patient may benefit from Juvederm injections to improve facial volume. Or, Restylane can be used to correct pitting, scarring, and damage to the skin’s surface and/or loss of lip fullness.
Regardless of whether a patient is pursuing Botox, dermal fillers, or other non-surgical or surgical facial rejuvenation treatments, it is paramount to meet with an experienced surgeon. In doing so, a patient can learn about different treatment options and find one that aligns with their treatment goals. Plus, the patient can assess the risks associated with various treatment options.
Facelift vs Botox: Which One Is the Safest Facial Rejuvenation Treatment Option?
There are risks associated with rhytidectomy and Botox injections. As such, a patient requires a full medical evaluation before treatment.
Those who qualify for a rhytidectomy are given instructions on how to prepare for treatment. Prior to the surgery, patients may be required to get lab tests or a medical assessment. They may also need to adjust their current medications and/or stop taking certain medication. Patients are required to stop smoking and avoid taking any drugs or supplements that can increase their risk of bleeding as well.
If a patient qualifies for Botox, the surgeon determines how much can be injected into the patient’s facial skin to deliver their desired results. The surgeon will also provide instructions to help their patient prepare for injections.
Facelift vs Botox: How Long Do Treatment Results Last?
In terms of how long facial rejuvenation treatment results will last, a rhytidectomy is the superior option over Botox.
A rhytidectomy can deliver results that remain transparent for many years after treatment. Meanwhile, a patient can receive botulinum toxin injections that deliver facial rejuvenation results that can last three months or longer. Furthermore, a patient can continue to get these injections at regular intervals to maximize the results of treatment.
Is a Facelift Better Than Botox?
A rhytidectomy is not necessarily “better” than Botox. Rather, it is a surgical facial rejuvenation treatment, while Botox is a non-surgical option. Both treatments can help patients ensure the facial features complement one another. Yet, the results of each treatment can vary based on the treatment, where it is performed, and other factors.
The facelift vs Botox debate can make it tough to decide which facial rejuvenation treatment can deliver the ideal results. But, those who consider the pros and cons of each treatment are well-equipped to decide which one meets their expectations.
Botox vs Facelift: Which Facial Rejuvenation Treatment Should You Choose?
The benefits of facelift surgery and Botox injections can be significant. Thus, regardless of which facial rejuvenation procedure that a patient chooses, this individual can use the treatment to revitalize the facial appearance both now and in the future.
As individuals assess facelift surgery versus botulinum toxin injections, the following factors should be considered:
- Treatment Results: Rhytidectomy delivers results that last longer than those associated with botulinum toxin injections.
- Recovery Time: Botox patients can resume their normal activities immediately following treatment, while rhytidectomy surgery patients require at least a few weeks before they can do the same.
- Cost: Botox is sometimes considered a more cost-effective facial rejuvenation procedure than rhytidectomy surgery depending on the number of treatments that a patient requires.
- Side Effects: Rhytidectomy surgery often results in temporary swelling and bruising after treatment; comparatively, patients usually experience only minor side effects after they receive Botox injections.
Dr. Azizzadeh understands the challenge of choosing between different facial rejuvenation treatments. Therefore, Dr. Azizzadeh offers a consultation to analyze a patient’s facial appearance and facial rejuvenation treatment goals and provide a personalized treatment recommendation.
By working with Dr. Azizzadeh, an individual can learn about a wide range of facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Azizzadeh can also provide a patient with tips and recommendations to enhance the facial appearance, as well as a custom treatment plan.
Finally, Dr. Azizzadeh works with a patient to ensure this individual can quickly and safely revitalize the facial appearance.
How to Find Out If a Botox or Facelift Treatment Is Right for You
A consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh allows a patient to share their facial rejuvenation treatment goals with a globally renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During the consultation, Dr. Azizzadeh can learn about these goals and review the patient’s medical history. Dr. Azizzadeh can then help his patient determine if Botox, a rhytidectomy, or another facial rejuvenation treatment option is the best choice.
Explore the Benefits of Different Facial Rejuvenation Treatments
To learn more about facelift surgery, Botox injections, and other facial rejuvenation treatments or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please contact us online or call us at 310-657-2203.