Between fashion choices and fitness routines, the effort you put into your outer appearance is a natural extension of feeling — and looking — your best. Though imperfections like wrinkles or sagging skin might have the potential to change your appearance over time, there are several options for you to feel more confident in your skin and address the signs of aging head-on.
Two common procedures for achieving a more youthful appearance are traditional facelift surgery and less intensiveFaceTite by InMode treatment. While both aim to rejuvenate the face and address natural signs of aging, they differ significantly in terms of technique, degree of invasiveness, recovery time, and outcomes.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that requires incisions around the hairline by the temples, down and around the ears, and potentially, under the chin, depending on the degree of rejuvenation a patient is seeking. A traditional facelift often uses longer incisions that continue under the chin, whereas a “mini-lift” uses shorter incisions around the temples that only continue to the ear.
During facelift surgery, a board-certified plastic surgeon repositions or redistributes fat from the face, jowls, and neck for a more sculpted appearance. The underlying tissue and muscles in the deeper layers of the face are then lifted and pulled tighter. From here, a surgeon will drape the skin over the recontoured face, remove any excess skin, and close the incisions with sutures or skin glue.
Due to the invasiveness of the procedure, facelift surgery requires longer downtime. Recovery from a facelift often takes several weeks. Patients typically develop swelling, bruising, and discomfort after surgery and may need to take significant time off work and put social activities on hold to heal.
Though facelift surgery incurs longer downtime, it also achieves more dramatic and longer-lasting results than alternative rejuvenation procedures. Because the underlying tissue and muscles of the face are repositioned, facelift patients achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance. However, this more intensive approach is more suitable for those with significant sagging and deep wrinkles.
There will be scarring after a facelift procedure. The procedure requires several incisions around the face and, sometimes, beneath the chin. Fortunately, a skilled surgeon can place the scars in inconspicuous areas, like along the hairline and behind the ears, to minimize visibility.
FaceTite is a facial rejuvenation treatment that tightens and contours the skin without surgically repositioning the deeper layers of tissue. The FaceTite procedure involves making one to three tiny, 2mm incisions. For reference, that’s about the thickness of a nickel. Next, the surgeon inserts a thin, 1.2mm probe of the FaceTite handpiece.
The FaceTite probe has an external electrode that rests on the skin surface and an internal electrode that passes beneath the skin. Once inserted, the probe delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy that passes between the two electrodes to tighten deeper facial tissue (fibroseptal network) and skin. From here, a surgeon may combine the procedure withliposuction to remove unwanted excess fat and further sculpt the jawline.
FaceTite treatment is significantly less invasive than facelift surgery. FaceTite can be performed under local anesthesia with light sedation, which means patients are often awake and comfortable during it. The treatment area is fully numbed so patients do not feel pain throughout the procedure.
Because FaceTite is less invasive, there’s also less downtime. Despite some mild swelling, mild bruising, and minor discomfort, patients can return to normal activities within a few days to a week. However, a surgeon may recommend a compression garment to help with liposuction recovery.
FaceTite procedures are more subtle compared to a facelift, meaning patients must have realistic expectations for results — after all, FaceTite does not involve surgical skin excision. For these reasons, FaceTite is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity and those looking for a less dramatic improvement. It’s great for patients in their 30s to 50s as a ‘gap procedure’ if they are not quite in need of a facelift yet FaceTite can also be an option for those uninterested in a facelift.
FaceTite procedures have very minimal scarring. The incisions are tiny and typically heal quickly, becoming unnoticeable. In our Chelmsford, Massachusetts office, incisions are also placed in inconspicuous areas around the face and under the chin to minimize scarring potential.
When striving for a more youthful appearance, which is better: a facelift or a FaceTite procedure? A facelift is best for significant signs of aging, as it involves surgical incisions, longer recovery, and more noticeable scarring for more dramatic results. FaceTite is best for mild to moderate signs of aging, as it involves minimally invasive RF energy with minimal scarring for subtler results.
Choosing between a facelift and FaceTite is a deeply personal decision that will rely on your individual goals, the extent of aging — like the deepness of wrinkles and the level of skin laxity — desired outcomes, and willingness to undergo surgery and recovery. It’s wise to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the best option for your unique needs.
At Eliopoulos Plastic Surgery in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, patients travel from Boston and New Hampshire to undergo a variety of cosmetic procedures, especially facial rejuvenation treatments. Schedule a consultation today to begin feeling more confident and comfortable in your skin.
Plastic surgery isn’t just about people changing their look—it's about making you feel good about being you. Whether you need breast augmentation, a breast lift, liposuction or Botox, Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is here for you. For over 20 years, patients have sought out the care and results that Dr. Eliopoulos can create in her beautiful Chelmsford, Massachusetts office. The peace of mind that comes from a board-certified, residency- and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon is hard to parallel. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos today to experience the difference for yourself.
