Laser assisted facelift: discover the latest way to correct sagging skin without surgery

What it consists of and main benefits

I was once asked what signs show one’s age the most.

It’s a complex issue because it depends on multiple structural changes, but overall I would say that sagging skin is one of the signs that ages the face the most. As the skin sags, wrinkles become more pronounced and contours lose definition.

That is the reason why the lifting effect is so attractive. By tightening and repositioning the tissues, we restore the firmness and freshness of youth. Some people seem to turn back the clock.

But going through surgery…

More and more patients are requesting aesthetic medicine treatments that achieve a similar effect without surgery, Radiofrequency, ultrasound, thread lifts, etc. A variety of techniques have emerged in response to this demand.

One of the latest advances is the laser-assisted facelift. It is based on applying a beam laser that selectively heats deep layers of the skin. This stimulates collagen, helps reduce localized fat, and produces skin tightening.

Its main benefits:

• • Prevents and treats sagging skin on the face and neck. The skin essentially contracts and lifts, reducing its laxity and sagging. The double chin diminishes.
  • Redefine and stylize the facial ovalIt allows for the restoration of definition at the level of the cheekbones and jawline.
  • Reduces wrinkles and expression linesTightening the skin makes it less wrinkled. Like when you straighten the bed sheets first thing in the morning.
  • A younger, more vibrant, and smoother appearanceFor all the above reasons you achieve a rejuvenated appearance that increases confidence and emotional well-being.

Can it replace a surgical facelift? The 5 advantages of laser assisted face lift

I’m going to be clear with you.

A non-surgical facelift, whether with laser or other minimally invasive techniques, does not replace a surgical facelift (the rhytidectomy).It can give you good results, but they aren’t that dramatic. If you have very severe sagging skin, it won’t be enough.

Consider, for example, that in the operation we even go so far as to remove excess skin. To “trim,” colloquially speaking. There’s no comparison.

Laser treatment can indeed delay the time when surgery is appropriate.Or even avoid it if your case is milder.

In addition, it has 5 major advantages:

• • Without incisions or scars.There’s no scalpel involved. It’s an outpatient facial treatment, much less invasive.
  • It does not involve fillers or other substances.We activate the skin’s own mechanisms. It’s more natural.
  • Minimal or no recovery, no pain. Except for minor precautions that need to be taken, it’s a much more comfortable process.
  • General anesthesia is not used.At most, some local anesthesia or light sedation, depending on the equipment and the area being treated, to ensure comfort. But nothing more.
  • It’s cheaper. An operation always involves a larger investment. 

The key thing here is what you want and what you need.

Some patients clearly require surgery, while others are satisfied with cosmetic medicine. Many others fall somewhere in between, unsure of what would be best.

If at any point you would like us to assess it during the consultation,book an appointment. Visit us at our clinic and I’ll be happy to see you. We have clinics in Barcelona and Granollers.

I-Lift, the new minimally invasive laser assisted facelift

What it is and what we are indicating it for

There are several laser facelift devices available.

You may have heard of names like Endolift or Fotona. At Cànons Clinics we have opted for I-Lift, one of the latest advances. I have always been and will always be in favor of my patients having the best.

It is a device that offers fantastic results and it’s easy and safe to apply. Now I’ll show you a before and after of one of our recent cases.

It works through a microfiber device that delivers laser energy very precisely to the subcutaneous tissue. This produces heat that causes the contraction of collagen fibers and the synthesis of new collagen. 

If there is one, then so is there. Attacks localized fat without risk of leaving your face “sunken.” I mention this because some patients are worried about it. And no, it’s not. It’s a safe lipolytic effect and  very controlled.

Remember: zero incisions, zero scars.

We are indicating it for:

• • Correct mild-to-moderate sagging from age 40 onward. Men and women who wish to regain a smoother, more youthful appearance.
  • Reaffirm and redefine cheekbones, jawline and double chin. It is one of the most visible and popular effects.We stylizeface and neck.
  • Prolonging the results of a surgical facelift? It’s a topic under discussion. The scarring caused by the surgery makes laser treatment much more difficult afterward.
  • Treating complications from facial fillers. Especially permanent ones (illegal nowadays). With I-Lift we can liquefy these deposits to facilitate their removal, not always avoiding scarring. 

By the way, It also has body applications. Especially in the arms and legs.

It has very few contraindications.Very specific conditions such as open wounds or active infections.

It is suitable for all skin types. It is a non-ablative laser that acts on the deep dermis without affecting the epidermis. The risk of hyperpigmentation is minimal.

Image of the equipment we have in the clinic for laser-assisted
facelifts. It’s called the I-LASER 1470 PLUS

How isThe procedure and results: how long do they last?

The I-Lift laser facelift works as follows:

• • The session lasts between 10 and 40 minutes. ZonessmallThey are some10-15. Full face can go to 30 or 40.It can be done at any time of year.
  • It doesn’t hurt and the heat is well toleratedWe insert the microfiber into the skin using a tiny cannula. We apply local anesthetic for your comfort. At the end there may be slight swelling and redness, but these are temporary.
  • You can return to your routine after leaving the clinic, although you must wear a chin strap for 24 hours a day for 3 days. After that, you’ll need to stay home for another 10 days. Otherwise, there’s no problem with carrying on with your daily life.
  • Immediate effect (firmer skin due to this contraction of collagen fibers) and progressive over 3 months(as new collagen is created).
  • The results last 12-24 monthsAt 6 weeks we assess whether another session is needed, although generally one a year or every two years is sufficient.

Regarding the latter, it is essential how you take care  of yourself.

At Cànons Clinics we advise our patients on 2 levels:

• • Skincare. The healthier and more protected the skin, the more we prevent signs of aging. It is important to follow a consistent and high-quality facial care routine.
  • Good habits. Weight fluctuations, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking, stress, overexposure to the sun… All of these contribute to sagging skin.The more we control it, the better.

On the other hand, to enhance the effects, we sometimes combine I-Lift with other modes on the device. For example,I-Frax (fractional laser and exosomes to stimulate regenerative processes in the skin and improve its texture) or I-Melt (specifically for eliminating fat).

This laser has 5 modes, including I-Lift.
Each one allows us to address specific needs.

A before and after: 6 weeks after laser treatment

One of the last patients we had.

Woman with a blurred jawline due to slight sagging of the tissues and a slight submental sagging due to fat accumulation (what is known as a double chin).

We carried out the  cervicofacial lifting assisted by laser I-Lift + I-Melt to enhance the reduction of localized fat in the submental area.

Results:

• • Firmer, smoother skin as the session ends.
  • More defined facial contour. The jawline is more noticeable.
  • There’s no double chin anymore.The neck is now more stylized.

This is your before and after:

Result after 6 weeks of applying
I-Lift + I-Melt to the lower third
of the face and neck

The effects of the treatment areprogressive, l
asting up to approximately 3 months.

References