Do I Need a Facelift or Lipofilling?

3 Minute Read: 

Facial aging manifests itself in many forms, including wrinkling, sagging skin, and facial volume loss. As collagen production degrades over time, there is increased skin laxity and loss of volume, affecting the structure of superficial facial tissues. 

Fortunately, different options are available to effectively rejuvenate the skin for a much more youthful and natural-looking appearance.

Facelift Vs. Lipofilling

Two popular options, namely facelift surgery and lipofilling (facial fat transfer), are quite impactful in delivering comprehensive facial rejuvenation results. 

Facelift Surgery

Facelift surgery corrects sagging skin, wrinkles, and other signs of aging in the lower face and neck areas. The procedure tightens the underlying tissues and trims the excess skin, giving patients youthful, long-lasting results.

Modern facelift surgery techniques are highly customized to individuals depending on their needs to achieve the most effective facial rejuvenation results.

Lipofilling

Besides wrinkling and sagging, volume loss is another important component of facial aging, which is addressed with facial lipofilling. Lipofilling uses fat from the patient’s body to replace lost volume in the face, be it in the cheeks, jawline, eye area, or any other area as needed.

Since the augmenting material comes from the patient, there is no chance of fat rejection or allergic reactions. The procedure offers a more permanent solution to dermal fillers and offers faster and easier recovery compared to facelift surgery as it is less invasive.

While these two procedures address different concerns and involve totally separate procedures, the key to successful facial rejuvenation results may lie in combining both procedures. A facelift, though exceptional in addressing excess skin and tissue laxity, cannot restore supple facial volume. 

The two procedures, therefore, are mutually beneficial, working in tandem to improve results.

Note About Lipofilling

Lipofilling is an excellent “two-for-one” treatment that slims body areas with excess fat while adding volume to areas that are in need of additional fat. 

Unfortunately for some (but fortunately for others), lipofilling uses liposuction techniques to harvest fat. Because of that, a lipofilling candidate must have adequate fat on their body to gather. Very thin patients may not have enough excess to take and, therefore, are not always candidates for this technique. 

A consultation with Dr. Bonaldi will allow patients to know if they are candidates for this treatment.

Addressing the Uniqueness of Every Face

The procedure that is right for you depends largely on the type of facial aging you’re experiencing. 

Since every face is unique, the best approach is to observe a patient’s natural facial contouring and take the necessary action from what they are trying to correct. 

For instance, there are certain conditions that only a facelift can adequately address, such as significant skin laxity and sagging, neck banding, and deep wrinkles.

For patients with relatively few wrinkles and a lower degree of sagging skin, a liquid facelift can be used to correct facial aging and volume loss. Injectable dermal fillers are especially beneficial for thin patients who do not have enough fat to harvest for lipofilling. 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Are you looking to find out if you could benefit from a facelift, lipofilling, or a combination of the two advanced facial rejuvenation procedures?

It is important to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience and training in both cosmetic procedures and a complete understanding of the unique facial anatomy to ensure the best outcome. 

We encourage you to contact us at 775-828-7400 or fill our online form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bonaldi.