Fillers and Firmers: New Non-Surgical Face-Lifts

It used to be the case that anyone wanting to turn back the clock on their physical appearance, particularly where their face was concerned, had to subject themselves to the surgeon’s knife — but not any longer. Now there are new additions to the anti-aging weaponry that can slow down the effects of aging and achieve results that before now were only possible with a full face-lift.

Fillers

The beauty of fillers is that they can plump the face out in a way that a face-lift can’t. A face-lift can only pull the facial muscles up, together with the fat and skin covering them, whereas fillers replace the skin’s stocks of hyaluronic acid, the distribution and function of which change as we age leaving us with lines and wrinkles. The most widely-used fillers are Restylane, Hydrafill, and Perlane. Restylane also has two other treatments: Restylane Lipp, which plumps up age-deflated lips; and Restylane Vital, which counters the effects of sun damage and the natural aging process.

The fillers are safe, effective, and relatively long-lasting. And if you don’t like the results, they are easy to get rid of with an injection of the enzyme hyaluronidase.

Restylane, Hydrafill, and Perlane procedures cost from about $700 per treatment.

Firmers

If it’s not so much filling out but firming up that’s needed, then there are a few new treatments that can do just that. Thermage and Polaris work by applying controlled heat to existing collagen causing the skin to tighten and promoting the production of new collagen to plump it up. Thermage is carried out in one intensive treatment session, and some patients do experience a degree of pain, but only one treatment is needed and the effects can last for up to two years.

Named the best anti-aging treatment by New York Magazine in 2004, Polaris is regarded as a much gentler option, as not only does it require multiple sessions in order to achieve results, but is also reported by patients as being pain-free. Best for treating fine wrinkles, at least three sessions are recommended, although each session lasts no longer than 15 minutes.

Titan, the latest in the line of face firmers, can tighten and lift the skin on the face and neck, as well as on the abdomen, thighs, and underarms. Three treatments four weeks apart are recommended for maximum effect, with results lasting from one to three years.

Thermage costs between $1000 and $3000 to treat one area and between $2000 and $5000 to treat the whole face. Polaris costs about $700 per session. Titan costs between $1,000 and $2,000 per session.