When asked if dermal fillers or a facelift are cheaper, you may think the answer is obvious. But when you think about both options over the long term, the picture changes quite a bit. Don’t get us wrong—we love facial rejuvenation with dermal fillers and lip injections, and our Idaho Falls patients do too. These injectable treatments have completely changed the way I and many other physicians all over the world approach treating the signs of aging. But if you’re looking for a long-term solution for the most common signs of aging, you might be better served by a surgical facelift. Let’s find out why.
When Are Fillers the Best Option?
First, let’s talk about when dermal fillers are appropriate. These products are especially useful for people who want to treat lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Fillers can also plump up areas where facial volume is naturally low or diminished as the result of aging—most notably the cheeks and lips. Fillers are also great for people who want a quick improvement. The procedure can be completed in about 30 minutes, and there’s no downtime required.
When Is a Facelift the Best Option?
So how does a facelift stack up, and what makes it a more economical choice? Consider a long-term cost/benefit analysis. While facelift surgery costs more upfront than a filler treatment, its results are incredibly long-lasting and can even be 10 times longer lasting. Most facelift patients say they’re still enjoying their results well over a decade after surgery, and that longevity is just one reason facelift surgery was one of the top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures in the U.S., according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Also, while facelift patients need to take about 10 days off from work to heal properly, that recuperation is only a 1-time situation.
Today’s Facelift: Different from Before
Facelift surgery has come a long way over the past few decades. Many of my Jackson Hole-area plastic surgery patients still associate the procedure with a stretched-out, “windblown” look, but that’s not accurate anymore, and it’s definitely not reflective of the results a board-certified plastic surgeon would create.
Instead, I take a thoughtful and comprehensive approach, lifting and improving the deeper layers of facial tissue before excising unnecessary skin and closing the incisions. These results are lasting improvements that look a lot more natural than those achieved from earlier versions of the surgery.
What Is Better, a Facelift or Fillers?
Facelift surgery treats aging of the lower two-thirds of the face. It’s especially good at improving jawline definition as well as tightening the chin and lower cheeks. If you’re not quite ready to take a drastic step, then fillers can also work as a great stop-gap. Undergoing regular filler treatments for a couple of years won’t break the bank, and these treatments can help stave off many of the most common signs of aging.
When you’re ready to “graduate” to a facelift, we can help with that too. Above all, I want to meet you where you are in your anti-aging process. If you are ready to take the next steps, request a consultation online or give us a call at (208) 881-5351.
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