The Silhouette InstaLift is a minimally invasive procedure designed to help lift sagging skin in the face with the use of absorbable sutures for immediate results. These sutures feature bidirectionally facing microcones that are composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), a safe and biocompatible material that is often used for grafting and prosthetics in other treatments. (1) This procedure stimulates the production of collagen in the treatment area, offering a treatment that also continues to revitalize and rejuvenate over time.
Meanwhile, the facelift is a procedure that aims to treat wrinkles, sagging skin, jowls, and the overall loss of facial definition by surgically restructuring and tightening tissues and underlying structures to rejuvenate the entire face and neck. This procedure allows for more lasting results and offers youthful restoration to those with more severe facial aging.
Both the traditional facelift and the Silhouette InstaLift offer unique benefits that help patients restore and revitalize their facial appearance. Our skilled team at Austin Plastic Surgeon can help you choose the most effective method to achieve your aesthetic goals depending on your specific needs.
To schedule an appointment at our Austin, San Antonio, or West Lake Hills location, please fill out our contact form or give us a call.
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Benefits of the Silhouette InstaLift vs. the Traditional Facelift
Benefits of the Silhouette InstaLift
The Silhouette InstaLift is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure for patients who want a quick procedure with immediately noticeable results. The InstaLift addresses sagging and tightens the skin of the face, while the bidirectional cones stimulate the production of collagen over time. (1) This procedure offers both immediate and gradual results, with patients continuing to see improvements for months after their initial Silhouette InstaLift. The procedure takes less than an hour to complete and requires no downtime. After treatment, patients can return to their lives immediately.
Benefits of a Facelift
The facelift is a surgical procedure that is designed to boost confidence by targeting sagging skin and lost facial definition. During a facelift, your surgeon will make discreet incisions to remove excess skin and tighten the underlying structures to restore and sculpt the face and neck. This procedure facilitates more significant results that can last noticeably longer than nonsurgical treatments; however, it does require an extensive recovery time. A facelift can help improve the jawline and tighten the skin in the neck alongside the face. The procedure can last anywhere between 4-7 hours, but the results can last for over a decade. (2)
To learn more about the different treatments we offer at Austin Plastic Surgeon, please visit our blog!
Candidates
Candidates for the Silhouette InstaLift should be in good health overall and free from any underlying health problems. Patients interested in the Silhouette InstaLift are often those suffering from mild skin laxity and sagging who want to achieve natural-looking results without a surgical procedure.
Patients who might benefit more from a traditional facelift are those experiencing moderate to severe sagging in the face and neck and are looking for more noticeable, longer-lasting results to address these issues. Candidates interested in a facelift should be in good health overall and free from underlying conditions that could impact their procedure or recovery. Candidates who smoke should be prepared to refrain from smoking throughout their recovery period as tobacco and nicotine can impair the healing process.
To find out if you would benefit more from the Silhouette InstaLift or the traditional facelift, please fill out our contact form or call (512) 253-2195 to schedule an appointment at our Austin, San Antonio, or West Lake Hills locations.
Preparation
Preparation for the Silhouette InstaLift
The Silhouette InstaLift does not require any specific preparation before the treatment. Patients are expected to maintain a healthy diet and hydrate leading up to the procedure.
Preparation for a Facelift
A facelift procedure does require some preparation before the procedure. Each patient will be given a set of instructions at their consultation. We ask patients to avoid certain medications or supplements such as blood thinners to help ensure a smooth recovery process. Finally, patients preparing for a facelift should arrange transportation home from their procedure, as well as assistance for the first 24 hours following their procedure.
Silhouette InstaLift Procedure vs the Traditional Facelift
Silhouette InstaLift Procedure
The Silhouette InstaLift procedure starts with local anesthetic being applied to the treatment area to ensure the patient is comfortable during their treatment. The sutures are then inserted into the face using a very fine needle. Each suture has a set amount of bidirectional cones that are designed to help lift skin without slipping out of place. (3) The placement of these cones will be dependent on the areas of the face the patient is trying to revitalize. Once the sutures are in place, your Austin Plastic Surgeon professional will check to ensure everything is set in place before trimming away any excess. This procedure takes about 30-60 minutes, making it ideal for even the busiest of patients. (1)
Traditional Facelift Procedure
Our team begins a traditional facelift procedure by administering general anesthesia. In some cases, just local anesthesia and sedative medication can be used. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will then make incisions in discreet locations to remove excess skin and tighten underlying structures. Repositioning tissues helps sculpt the face and provide a more defined contour. (2) Your surgeon will then close the incisions.
A facelift procedure can last between 4-7 hours, depending on the extent of the lift and the patient’s goals.
Recovery and Results
Recovery and Results of Silhouette InstaLift
The Silhouette InstaLift is a procedure that requires no downtime and instant, noticeable results that continue to improve. Once patients are released after their treatment, they can return to their normal activities immediately. Patients may experience slight redness, tenderness, or swelling at the treatment site, but these symptoms typically subside after the first 24-48 hours. While some of the results are immediate, patients will be able to see the fuller results of their Silhouette InstaLift about 3-6 months after their procedure. This is because the collagen production will increase gradually over time. (1) The full results of the procedure can last patients approximately 18-24 months.
Recovery and Results of a Facelift
Immediately following a facelift, patients will need assistance being transported home, and for the first 24 hours of recovery to help with daily tasks as the anesthesia continues to wear off. Patients can expect to experience tightness or swelling in the face and neck. Discomfort can be managed with the prescribed medication. We recommend that patients prioritize rest and keep their heads elevated for the first week following their procedure. We do, however, encourage patients to lightly walk around during their recovery to help promote healthy blood flow.
After a facelift, patients will be asked to attend a series of follow-up appointments so our team can help ensure the treatment site is healing correctly. Your surgeon will help remove the sutures from the treatment area after about a week.
After the initial recovery phase, patients can start to resume some physical activities and return back to their normal schedule with their surgeon’s approval. Patients can start to see some of the results of their treatment between 2-4 weeks after their procedure, while the full results of the procedure can be better seen after 12 weeks of healing.
Cost of a Facelift and Silhouette InstLift in Austin
The cost of both a facelift and Silhouette InstaLift can vary. However, the Silhouette InstaLift is generally characterized by a lower cost. It is important to keep in mind that the results of a traditional facelift will last longer than the Silhouette InstaLift. If patients wish to prolong the effects of their facial rejuvenation with Silhouette InstaLift, they can choose to schedule a follow-up appointment once the results of their initial procedure have worn off, or when their Austin Plastic Surgeon professional approves.
To learn the different costs of the traditional facelift and Silhouette InstaLift, attend a personal consultation at one of our offices. You can schedule this consultation by filling out our contact form or giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you determine which procedure will be most beneficial for your needs.
References
- Lorenc ZP, Goldberg D, Nestor M. Straight-Line Vector Planning for Optimal Results With Silhouette InstaLift in Minimally Invasive Tissue Repositioning for Facial Rejuvenation. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD. 2018;17(7):786-793. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30005090/
- Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
- Hong GW, Kim SB, Soo Yeon Park, Wan J, Yi KH. Thread Lifting Materials: A Review of Its Difference in Terms of Technical and Mechanical Perspective. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology. 2024;Volume 17:999-1006. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s457352
