What’s the Difference Between A Facelift and Facial Implants?
Both of these procedures alter the shape and contour of your face to reverse some of the effects of aging on the facial skin and structure. Similarities end here, though, because both correct different types of issues.
Facelift
A facelift may focus on one area, such as the mid-face, or it may address the entire face. Incisions usually hide behind the ears or in the hairline to prevent visible scars. During a facelift, the surgeon lifts and arranges the skin and underlying tissues to return them to their younger, more lifted position.
While a facelift may change the volume of some areas of your face, the procedure does not always correct the patient’s concerns about lost volume in some areas of the face. In addition, some patients desire more sculpted facial contours.
Facial Implants
Your surgeon can place implants in your cheeks, jaw, or chin to sharpen and enhance contours and replace volume lost to age. These implants give patients the fuller cheeks or more sculpted jaw they seek. These silicone implants have proven safe and reliable, and are unlikely to require replacement.
Facial implants do not address sagging or loose skin the way a facelift can. While adding volume may lift the skin somewhat and decrease the look of lines and wrinkles around the implant, this procedure cannot tighten or lift the skin and cannot reduce lines and wrinkles like a facelift.