As you start noticing wrinkles around your mouth, sagging skin along your jawline, or volume loss in your cheeks, you might wonder if there’s a way to restore your youthful appearance. Perhaps you’ve tried creams and serums with minimal results, or maybe you’re preparing for a milestone event and want to look your absolute best.
Fortunately, modern aesthetic medicine offers several options to rejuvenate your facial appearance. Two of the most popular are the facelift and non-surgical dermal fillers. At the practice of Dr. Robert A. Guida, our double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City, you’ll find expert guidance to help you understand your choices. This article helps you determine the right treatment for your unique goals.
How they work
Facelift
A facelift addresses deeper signs of aging, such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and loss of muscle tone. Dr. Guida typically places discreet incisions behind the ears and along the hairline to access underlying tissues. He then lifts and repositions the facial muscles, removes excess skin, and redrapes the remaining skin for a smoother, firmer look. The goal is to achieve natural-looking results that reflect a younger version of yourself, not an altered or “tight” appearance.
Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectables, typically hyaluronic acid-based, that restore volume to areas of the face affected by aging. Dr. Guida skillfully injects fillers into the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, under-eyes, and temples to smooth lines, plump hollow regions, and redefine contours. Fillers work by attracting water to the treated areas, creating an immediate lifting effect. While they don’t remove skin or reposition muscles, they can restore youthful fullness.
Longevity of results
Facelift
After your facelift with Dr. Guida, you can expect results that last 10 to 15 years, depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and age at the time of surgery. The results are permanent because the structure of the face is physically altered: muscles are lifted, and excess skin is removed. It’s ideal if you want lasting improvements and are ready for a one-time solution.
Fillers
While fillers provide immediate improvement with little to no downtime, the results are temporary. Depending on the product used, fillers typically last 12 to 24 months. You’ll need maintenance appointments to preserve your results. The good news is that these touch-ups are quick, and the treatment can be easily adjusted to reflect subtle changes in your appearance.
Recovery and downtime
Facelift
A facelift does involve downtime. Most patients require two weeks or more before they feel comfortable returning to work or engaging in social activities. Dr. Guida provides a personalized recovery plan to ensure optimal healing and support. Although the downtime is more significant than fillers, the long-term payoff can be worth it for those seeking dramatic rejuvenation.
Fillers
Fillers are performed in-office and require virtually no downtime. After treatment with Dr. Guida, you may experience minor swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection sites; however, these side effects typically subside within one to two days. Most patients resume their daily activities immediately after treatment with minimal disruption to your schedule.
Cost and value
Facelift
A facelift involves higher upfront costs due to surgical fees, anesthesia, and facility charges. However, because the results last a decade or more, the procedure can be more cost-effective, especially for those seeking comprehensive rejuvenation. Dr. Guida offers customized treatment plans and transparent pricing to help you weigh the value of your investment.
Fillers
Fillers are priced per syringe, and the number of syringes required varies depending on the treatment area and the desired level of correction. While the cost per session is lower than a facelift, regular maintenance over the years can make fillers more expensive in the long term. Still, fillers provide flexibility and can be a smart option if you’re not yet ready for surgery.
Which should you choose?
You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you have moderate to severe sagging skin, jowls, or neck laxity that cannot be corrected with fillers. However, if you’re starting to notice mild to moderate signs of aging, such as fine lines, but your skin has good elasticity, fillers might be ideal. Fillers are a great option if you want to test the waters before committing to surgery.
Dr. Guida’s expertise in facial anatomy ensures the results are beautifully balanced and tailored to your facial structure and goals, regardless of whether you choose facelifts or fillers. With over 30 years of experience in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Guida provides an honest assessment of your needs and helps you develop a customized plan to restore your natural beauty. Whether you choose fillers, a facelift, or a combination of both, you can trust you’re in expert hands. Schedule your consultation in New York City today!
