The Liquid facelift (Liquid lift)

When I perform surgery, I routinely combine multiple procedures in the same operative session. For example: Brazilian butt lift with Tummy tuck, Facelift with lip aug – I’m very comfortable with all these combinations and it is fairly common in my practice. However, when it comes to injectables I am just beginning to realize the dramatic opportunities in combining Botox and Facial fillers for a more youthful appearance.

Several months ago I saw a female patient who had a social event coming up and wanted a “quick and easy” surgical procedure with minimal downtime. At the time, I frankly did not offer her anything because I thought what I could deliver with fillers and Botox would only be temporary, and require more money than just an “impulse buy”. Sometime later, a male friend of mine requested something non surgical that would make him look younger without any downtime. Thinking about that last patient I had seen, I offered a combination of fillers (sculptra, Restylane/Juvederm) and Botox. Still uneasy, I tried to explain to him, that for the money, he might as well have surgery. Then, what he said surprised me.

He looked at me straight in the eye and told me that what I had described (fillers with botox) did indeed sound more attractive than surgery. He did not want to experience any downtime at all! Furthermore, he knew he would have to repeat the injections within a year, but that to him, it was still better than surgery. Time IS a big issue for a lot of patients. He wanted results now and without any downtime. So, I performed the combination of injections and he is very happy with his results.

Which brings me to today’s subject: The Liquid facelift. I first heard about it from Heidi Rebuck, a Juvederm and Botox rep. “The Liquid facelift” is basically what I did with my male patient, using a filler with Botox, but I think these pictures of “The Liquid facelift” are worth a thousand words.

Basically, the patient in the photo (courtesy of Allergan) had Botox to forehead and “crow’s feet” wrinkles around the eyes, with tissue fillers to the lips, nasolabial folds (folds that go from side of nostrils towards the corners of the mouth), and possibly under the eyes. The change is dramatic and substantial.

This experience has made me reevaluate how I listen to patient’s requests. As a result I am much more inclined to offer these “temporary solutions”, as they are indeed perfect for a lot of people. As a matter of fact, most women do approach temporary beauty solutions as a matter of course. Think of hairdos, facial creams, even sun tanning, none of which are “long lasting”, yet essential to good appearance.

The Liquid facelift, takes “non-invasive” beauty treatments to an entirely new level. I am very excited about it and you would do well looking into it.