Can fillers achieve a facelift effect?

What is “Liquid facelift” & how does it work?

The term “liquid facelift” has been used for some time to describe the results obtainable by dermal fillers and toxins in creating a facelift-like result.

During a liquid face-lift procedure, a patient receives multiple injections of dermal fillers, which are substances that restore facial fullness for a more youthful appearance. 

“The end goal is to plump up the skin, and the beauty of this procedure is you can often get it done in one session. Nevertheless, to achieve true and natural lifting using liquid facelift often requires the experience of a doctor to determine the appropriate use of fillers (e.g. dosage amount, injection points), and the skills in delivering the fillers to the suitable injection points.” says Dr Chew. 

Ageing of the face

As we age, the true retaining ligaments that support the face and skin become lax, contributing to visible signs of ageing. These include dropping of the lateral canthus of the eye, flattened apple cheeks, sagging of mid-face, deepening of the nasolabial folds as well as drooping of the mouth corner and jowls.

“Ageing of the face is actually a complex process involving not only loss of collagen and skin elasticity but also volumetric loss of the facial fat pads, deep fat and bone atrophy, repositioning of soft tissues as well as the ageing of facial (true) ligaments.

The 4 major true ligaments include the orbital ligament, the zygomatic ligament, the buccal maxillary retaining ligament and the mandibular ligament (see diagram below). These ligaments, the essential fibres that hold up the superficial muscular aponeurotic system layer of the face, play a part in holding up the soft tissues of the face.

In liquid facelift procedures, the appropriate use of suitable fillers at suitable injection points serves to provide good support to the true ligaments, ultimately achieve a face lifting effect in a natural way.” explains Dr Chew.