Creating Face Lift Effect with Dermal Filler (Liquid Face Lift): Non-Surgical Rejuvenation

Creating a Facelift Effect with Dermal Filler (Liquid Facelift)

Once upon a time, the only solution to this situation was surgical facelift surgeries performed under general anesthesia, requiring long recovery periods. However, revolutionary developments in medical aesthetic technology today offer us a scalpel-free, stitch-free and painless alternative: Liquid Facelift. Dr. Melis Ulger, Istanbul, Kadikoy‘In my clinic in Istanbul, I analyze the facial anatomy of my patients with the meticulousness of an architect and dermal fillers I use fillers not only to fill the space, but to strategically “lift” and “stretch” the tissues. In this article, we will examine in detail how we create a lifting effect close to surgery with fillers, how we reverse the biological collapse of the face and whether this procedure is right for you.

Defying Gravity: What is a "Liquid Facelift"?

Liquid Facelift is the process of moving sagging tissues back up by replacing volume losses in the face and supporting the ligaments that hold the skin. The aim here is not to inflate the face or give it an artificial fullness. The aim is to rebuild the “scaffolding system” that dissolves under the skin over time. Hard (high G prime) fillers, placed at the right points and at the right depth, act as a column, pushing the skin upwards. The result is a more vigorous, sharper-lined face that resists gravity.

Why Does Our Face Sag? Anatomical Facts and "Inverted Triangle" Loss

To understand the rationale for treatment, it is necessary to understand why the face sags. A young face has the form of an “Inverted Triangle” (wide cheekbones, narrow chin). With aging, this triangle inverts and becomes a square with the base down (wide jaw, sagging cheeks). There are three main reasons for this:

Bone Resorption: Shrinking Canvas, Loose Skin

As we age, not only our body bones but also our facial skeleton erodes. In particular, the eye sockets widen, the cheekbones shrink and the jawbone recedes. Our skin remains the same size. The skin, which is loose on the shrinking skeleton, hangs down with the effect of gravity. What we do with fillers is to mimic this melting bone support.

Deflation and Displacement of Oil Cushions

Our face has deep and superficial fat pads that give fullness to the skin. When we are young, these pads sit firmly above the cheekbones. Over time, these fat pads melt (atrophy) and shift downwards, towards the sides of the nose and chin as the ligaments loosen. This creates “fatigue rings” and a “bulldog cheek” (jowl).

Loosening of Connective Tissue: Collapse of Support Columns

There are “retaining ligaments” that connect our skin to the bone. These ligaments loosen over time and become unable to hold the skin. Dermal fillers are injected under these ligaments to tighten them again and create a “lifting” effect.

Leverage Effect: Strategic Points to Lift the Face Up with Filler

There is no random filling in the liquid facelift procedure. “Leverage points” that carry the face upwards are targeted.

1. Cheekbones (Zygoma): Suspension Point of the Face

Cheekbone filling, is the basis of a liquid facelift. The filling in this area acts as a clothes hanger. When the cheekbone is volumized, the sagging cheek skin is pulled upwards. In this way, the nasolabial lines around the nose are also indirectly opened.

2. Temples (Temporal Region): Opening Eyes and Eyebrows

Collapse at the temples causes the upper part of the face to fall and the eyebrows to go down. Filling in the temple area lifts the tail of the eyebrows up and lifts the face in general by removing the tired expression around the eyes.

3. Jawline and Pre-Jowl Area: Sharp Lines

Irregularities in the jaw line (double chin sagging) caused by sagging cheeks make the face look older. Jawline fillerwater the jaw line is sharpened again. By filling the pits on both sides of the chin (Pre-jowl sulcus), sagging is camouflaged and the chin contour is made smooth as a rope.

4. Nasolabial and Marionette Lines: Erase Shadows

These areas are usually the “result” areas. In other words, when the cheek and jaw lines are lifted, the lines around the nose and mouth are already lightened. However, if there are deep grooves, the shadows on the face are erased by making fine touches in these areas.

Techniques Used MD Codes™ and 8 Point Lifting

In our clinic, we apply the world-famous “8 Point Lift” and MD Codes™ techniques. These techniques address the face holistically. It does not only focus on wrinkles; using the biomechanics of the face, it lifts the entire face with small touches on 8 strategic points (cheek, temple, chin corner, etc.).

Surgical Facelift vs. Liquid Facelift: Which Method is Right for You?

Is a liquid facelift suitable for every patient?

• Liquid Facelift (Filler): It is ideal for patients between the ages of 30-55 with mild to moderate sagging, skin elasticity is still intact, and volume loss. There is no recovery period, the result is seen immediately.
• Surgical Facelift: If there is excessive excess and sagging skin (the skin has descended like a curtain), the filler cannot lift this skin. In this case, surgical intervention is necessary.

About the effectiveness of non-surgical rejuvenation options American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) data show that fillers are an effective tool for postponing facelift surgeries.

Process and Persistence of Results

Which Fillers Are Used? Hyaluronic Acid and Hybrid Fillers

To lift the face (lifting), fillers with high bearing capacity, hard and able to mimic bone tissue should be used. Hybrid fillers such as highly cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid fillers or Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Mineral Fillers) are generally preferred. These fillers do not displace and retain their form.

When will the result be seen and how long will it take?

The best part of the procedure is that the result is seen “instantly”. When you leave the clinic, your face is lifted up and your expression is rested. The actual result settles after 2 weeks as the edema subsides. Permanence according to the type of filler used and the metabolism of the person 18 to 24 months between the treatments. Since regular applications also trigger the skin's own collagen production (biostimulation), the duration of the effect is prolonged over time.

"Architectural" Face Planning at our Clinic in Kadikoy

Kadikoy‘At our clinic in Istanbul, we do not use fillers randomly to create the facelift effect. We make a detailed analysis with you in front of the mirror and identify the “collapsed columns” of your face. Our aim is not to inflate you or make you artificial; our aim is to restore your facial features of 5-10 years ago by staying true to the anatomical proportions. This victory over gravity with a liquid facelift will return to you as a more confident and energetic posture.

Dr. Melis Ulger

Medical Aesthetics Physician

With modern medical aesthetic approaches, I address your aesthetic concerns by offering personalized solutions and support you to gain a timeless appearance.

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