Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation: Which Is Right for Me?
There are two main types of treatment for facial rejuvenation: surgical and non-surgical. While both options have the potential to take a number of years off a person’s appearance, one may be more appropriate than the other based on an individual’s unique needs and goals.
Generally speaking, relatively younger patients who have good skin quality and only minor to moderate signs of aging may be considered better candidates for non-surgical procedures like BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels. On the other hand, relatively older patients whose aesthetic concerns are a bit more extensive—e.g. sagging skin, muscle laxity, severe jowling, etc.—might be better suited for surgical techniques such as facelift, neck lift, fat transfer, and forehead lift. That said, none of this means age plays a definitive role in assessing candidacy for surgical or non-surgical treatment. In fact, many older patients who have protected their skin well over the years (and/or who are blessed with good genes) can achieve the cosmetic results they desire without surgical intervention.
In addition to the particular aging concerns present, other factors that can influence the choice between surgical and non-surgical treatment include the patient’s current health status, medical history, desired results, and the overall cost of proposed aesthetic care. If you are interested in facial rejuvenation and would like to find out which treatment(s) would be right for you, I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. He or she should be able to help you select the most appropriate option for your needs and goals.
– Scott Shadfar, MD
