Do non-invasive 'facelifts' really work?

The market is saturated with non-aesthetic treatments and products promising to give you the results of conventional Facelift surgery and turn back the hands of time. They are usually at a considerably lower price than cosmetic surgery, but can require several treatments to get a desired result. With the number of people rising, preferring to opt for non-aesthetic procedures over surgical every year, are they really value for money and most importantly do they actually work?

What is HIFU

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a modality used to treat a variety of medical conditions and should not be confused with specific ultrasound-based devices used in facial aesthetics. To date, Ultherapy is the only non-invasive procedure FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, under the chin, and on the eyebrow. It is also now FDA-cleared to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. This ultrasound-based device tightens the facial tissues through thermal energy. The thermal energy heats up the tissues beneath the skin, which stimulates collagen production and subsequent tightening.

Although people have seen skin tighten results after around 3 months, it is important to consider that the results of non-surgical facial rejuvenation will never be as effective as surgical rejuvenation such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. It is also important to note that ultrasound-based devices will not produce filling out of the areas of the face that has lost fat. This can only be replaced by fat transfer, dermal fillers or possibly with weight gain.

We do not currently offer HIFU as a facial rejuvenation therapy at Bella Vou.

Thread Lifts

Thread lifting is a procedure that works to tackle sags and folds. They are usually performed under a local anaesthetic as a day case. The Thread lift stitches contain small cones along their length and look similar to barbed wire. They are inserted into place under the skin using long needles and, after the stitches are in place, they are then pulled back to re-suspend the skin and soft tissues, whilst the small cones along their length anchor the tissues into their new position.

Bella Vou has taken a strong stand against Thread Lifts and do not offer them. You can read more about the Thread Lift procedure and why we are not a fan by reading a previous blog on the subject.

Facial Yoga

Have you ever been driving and seen a fellow driver making crazy facial expressions whilst stuck in traffic? They might just be partaking in a trend called facial yoga that has seen a recent revival. A practice developed by a yoga teacher in New York named Annelise Hagen in 2007 it has seen mixed reviews on whether it actually works or not.

In an experiment conducted at Northwestern University in Chicago, researchers found that by embarking on a regular 30-minute facial exercise program for 20 weeks, participants lowered their average estimated age by roughly three years. So we can only suggest that you give it a go if you can dedicate the time needed and let us know how you get on in the comment section.

Skincare

Scientific breakthroughs in understanding the ways that our skin ages have lead to new developments in skincare ingredients that can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although skin creams and serums can help the appearance of your skin, they cannot prevent the ageing process from occurring or reverse it.

So what are the skin care ingredients you should be looking for?

• Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, which is polysaccharide (essentially a very large sugar!). Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally within the connective tissue through out the entirety of our bodies, almost 50% of which is located in our skin. It’s most important role is to maintain moisture and one molecule of hyaluronic acid can hold up to one thousand times its own weight, so it’s no wonder the beauty industry has hailed hyaluronic acid as a go-to ingredient. Its unique ability to hold moisture ensures that, when applied to skin, it not only hydrates, but increases the appearance of firmer, plumper skin.
• Retinol – Retinol is actually another name for Vitamin A, which has been proven to be an extremely effective skin-transforming ingredient when it comes to fighting the signs of ageing. With 40 years of established research showing that regular use can help visibly improve the appearance of firmness to the skin and minimise fine lines and wrinkles. It can also aid improvements uneven skin tones and smooth the skins surface. Retinol is an incredibly powerful ingredient and needs to be used with care and consideration. When using Retinol products, it is advised to use them at night, and always use a broad spectrum SPF of 30 and above in the day as it can cause skin sensitivity to the sun.
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C is also considered to be a wonder ingredient when it comes to the fight against ageing. When added to your skin care routine, it can aid in evening out your skin tone, improving your skin’s hydration and helping form a protective barrier on your skin against the environmental pollutants that are the main culprits of oxidative stress to the skin. Vitamin C can also act as a collagen booster, that much needed element in ensuring our skin’s scaffolding remains in place.

When all is said and done. Nothing can beat the traditional surgical Facelift techniques in terms of lasting results.

What is the Concept™ Facelift?

Bella Vou’s very own cosmetic surgeon, Mr Amir Nakhdjevani, has developed a revolutionary local anaesthetic facelift known as the Concept™ Facelift. This innovative procedure combines the latest surgical techniques with the use of local anaesthetic to dramatically reduce the risks associated with traditional facelifts, while significantly reducing the bruising and downtime of your recovery, from months to a matter of days.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Concept™ Facelift book now for a consultation.