If you want the benefits of a surgical face-lift without the commitment or complications, a “liquid face-lift” may be the solution you’ve been searching for.
Frederick H. Watkins, MD, one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in McLean, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland, understands that surgery isn’t for everyone. Although some situations call for expert surgical procedures, sometimes your face just needs a helping hand.
For mild-to-moderate wrinkles, expression lines, sunken cheeks, and thinning lips, Dr. Watkins offers the dynamic duo of injectables: Botox® and fillers. Here’s how they work together to give you a liquid face-lift.
All facial lines are not the same. Some come from losing volume under your skin’s surface, and some from making facial expressions your whole life.
Botox fixes your expression lines by temporarily paralyzing the muscles you use to smile, frown, and squint.
Botox’s effects typically last three to six months, making it a temporary but effective way to get a youthful new look. You can get regular treatments to keep the results going as long as you want.
If your main problem is wrinkled skin that looks like crepe paper, dermal fillers are the solution. We inject various safe substances under your skin to add volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. Unlike Botox, which relaxes your muscles, dermal fillers fill in your wrinkles and plump your skin.
Dr. Watkins offers several brands of fillers, each designed for specific purposes:
Known for its smooth consistency, Juvéderm is excellent for filling in nasolabial folds and adding volume to your cheeks and lips. It also contains lidocaine, an anesthetic to keep you comfortable.
This filler contains hyaluronic acid in gel form, which attracts water molecules for an added boost of plumpness and moisture. Restylane also restores volume underneath your skin and smoothes out the surface above.
Perlane is similar to Restylane; in fact, it comes from the same manufacturer and is now called Restylane® Lyft. We use this product for deeper lines and wrinkles, to contour your cheeks and chin, and to reshape your lips.
Radiesse contains countless tiny microspheres filled with plumping gel. It not only adds volume but also stimulates collagen production, providing longer-lasting results. It’s great for various facial areas, including lips, wrinkles, nasolabial folds, depressed scars, and under-eye hollows.
Neither fillers nor Botox can tackle all types of facial wrinkles, but together they complete the job. Here’s why.
Botox and fillers address different aspects of aging. While Botox works on dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions, fillers add volume and fill in static wrinkles that appear even when your face is at rest.
Botox and fillers have different durations of effectiveness.
Botox typically lasts three to six months, while fillers can last up to a year or more, depending on the type used. Combining the two treatments maintains your new look over a longer period, reducing the frequency of touch-ups.
While Botox primarily targets wrinkles, fillers add volume and contour to areas like your cheeks, lips, and jawline. When used together, the combination enhances your facial features, giving you a more balanced and harmonious look.
For instance, Botox can lift your eyebrows, while fillers can add volume to your cheeks.
We’ve discussed how Botox and fillers work independently and together, but their benefits are greater than the sum of their parts. Here are some more advantages of a liquid face-lift:
Unlike surgical face-lifts, a liquid face-lift doesn’t require any downtime. You can resume your regular activities immediately after your procedure.
Dr. Watkins is an experienced plastic surgeon with an intimate knowledge of facial anatomy. When he performs your liquid face-lift, you walk away with natural-looking results that enhance your features without looking overdone.
Our liquid face-lift is highly customizable. Dr. Watkins helps you decide which features need refreshing and where to add volume. Whether you want to smooth out wrinkles, plump up your cheeks, or enhance your lips, we tailor the combination of Botox and fillers to your needs.
Request a consultation with Dr. Watkins today. Book an appointment online or call our location most convenient to you. A fresher face is closer than you think.
