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Patients are looking—and feeling—years younger using non-surgical, minimally-invasive liquid facelifts.

The complex wealth of information surrounding facial rejuvenation can easily leave individuals who are searching for the best cosmetic option wondering where to begin. While surgical options like facelifts, neck lifts and eyelid surgery provide the desired results for some, other patients prefer non-surgical, minimally-invasive facial rejuvenation. Some of these non-surgical options encompass liquid facelifts, which utilize a combination of Botox and fillers, including Juvederm, Voluma and Belotero.

Those interested in non-surgical facial rejuvenation are advised to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to assist them in understanding their options. Drs. Eric Elwood and Glyn Jones, board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons at Illinois Plastic Surgery (IPS) in Peoria, are among the experts who dedicate their time to explaining the procedures and potential outcomes to patients.

“A board-certified plastic surgeon can sit down with you, evaluate your concerns and recommend the best plan to achieve your goals,” says Dr. Elwood.

The expertise of IPS’s cosmetic surgeons offers one of the best options for patients in Peoria and the surrounding area. A comprehensive practice providing both surgical and non-surgical options for cosmetic patients, Illinois Plastic Surgery combines compassion and surgical expertise to ensure patients experience a smooth, flawless procedure that leaves them feeling comfortable and looking their best.

Types of Liquid Facelifts
Liquid facelifts are at the forefront of non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments. “Liquid facelifts incorporate a combination of injections of Botox and soft tissue fillers,” says Dr. Elwood, “including Voluma, Juvederm and Belotero.”

A filler that adds volume to the upper cheeks, Voluma provides a subtle lift and helps to restore a youthful facial contour. It is injected beneath the skin and instantly adds volume to reduce the signs of aging.

An injectable gel, Juvederm specializes in filling in the furrows and nasolabial creases around the mouth, while adding volume to the lips. It targets moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds—such as parenthesis lines, vertical lip lines, corner lines and marionette lines—to create a smoother surface around the nose and mouth.

Belotero is used to soften the finest lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. “Belotero uses a soft gel to plump the skin and fill in wrinkles and folds to create a smooth, natural appearance,” explains Dr. Jones.

In addition to soft tissue fillers, Botox Cosmetic targets moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows and crow’s feet lines on the sides of the eyes. Crow’s feet and frown lines are caused by repeated muscle contractions. By reducing muscle activity, Botox injections smooth away lines and wrinkles. The effect takes approximately four days to reach its maximum, but lasts for months.

“We used to have fillers that were used for all types of lines and wrinkles, but were not necessarily appropriate to mitigate all types of aging,” notes Dr. Jones. “Now we have fillers specifically designed to target different areas of the face.”

Why Non-Surgical Treatments?
Because non-surgical facial rejuvenation does not involve surgery, patients experience the benefits of a short time in the office, minimal side effects, a short recovery period and long-term results. Non-surgical facial treatments are performed in the office and usually require only a topical anesthetic applied to the surface of the skin.

Botox and filler treatments require just a matter of minutes, and patients experience few side effects. “Botox and fillers may cause minimal bruising that can be covered with cosmetics within minutes,” says Dr. Elwood.

According to Dr. Jones, patients may see results almost instantaneously with soft tissue fillers, or within a few days with Botox. Most importantly, he says, “these treatments yield long-term improvements.”

Patients treated with Voluma will experience results that last two years; Juvederm yields results lasting between nine months and one year, according to Dr. Elwood. Belotero can last for six months or more, while Botox usually lasts between three and four months.

Although these treatments may need to be repeated, they are cost-effective, notes Dr. Elwood. “The beauty of these non-surgical facial rejuvenations is that they can be done separately to accommodate a budget, or done together. The beneficial effects of each complements the other, so the treatments can be done at the patients’ convenience.”

Who is a Candidate?
Individuals experiencing moderate amounts of aging are the best candidates for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. “Non-surgical facial rejuvenation is ideal for people with good skin tone who do not have a lot of ‘lax’ skin and have no risk of allergy or unusual tissue reaction,” states Dr. Elwood. “Normally we perform these types of treatments on women in their early 30s to late 50s. Women who have a specific furrow or line they wish to target will benefit from Botox and soft tissue injections that are tailor-made. A patient may have as much or as little as desired.”

Non-surgical facial rejuvenation may be used in place of surgery on suitable candidates, according to Dr. Jones. However, patients who demonstrate severe signs of aging, such as severe sagging around the jowls and the lower face, will benefit from surgical facial rejuvenation. “Our main priority is helping patients look and feel their best,” he says. “Our patients experience great success with non-surgical and surgical treatments designed to meet their specific needs.” iBi

Illinois Plastic Surgery is located inside the Illinois Medical Center, 1001 Main Street, Suite 300 in Peoria. For more information, visit illinoisplasticsurgery.org or call (309) 495-0250

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