Are collagen injections considered a non-surgical face lift? would a non-surgical face lift tighten the sagging skin on my cheeks and neck or are they simply done with fillers like collagen?

The : The term "non-surgical facelift" has been used to describe several non-surgical treatments such as pulsed light treatments, laser treatments, radiofrequency heating of the skin and soft tissues, which may create a very slight, subtle, temporary tightening of facial tissues. Most surgeons don't feel the results are enough to satisfy patients, and don't last long. Nevertheless, some patients may be satisfied with a minimal improvement that can be accomplished with no down time. Fillers plump out wrinkles and folds, therebye creating a smoother look without actually tightening. Fillers can also add volume to an area of the face, therebye creating a more youthful contour, and the additional volume can in some cases cause the skin to lift up a little. The most common fillers used today are hyaluronic acid fillers, which last much longer than collagen. Each patient must consider the pros and cons of any possible treatment after a thorough consultation with a physician, before embarking on any treatment.

Collagen : Collagen injections are not, in and of themselves, actually considered a nonsurgical face lift. The term comes about because fillers and volume-restoring collagen stimulators can "refill" lost volume and provide a certain level of lift in the process. (actually, there are no longer any straight collagen fillers - they have been replaced by other types of filling material for longer effect.) there are several technologies on the market that are marketed as "non-surgical" face lifts. One is thermage, which uses radio frequency for tightening and can have a positive impact on firming the skin so it looks a bit more lifted, but it won't get close to a surgical lift. Another technology new to the nonsurgical skin treatment family is ultherapy, which uses ultrasound. With a lot of skin laxity, none of the current nonsurgical procedures have the capability of mimicking a surgical lift, so set your expectations accordingly.

Non-surgical : Non-surgical facelift is a marketing term which is very nonspecific. It includes within it, a liquid facelift which is the use of one or more type of injectible fillers to add volume to certain areas to mimic the rejuvenation you may see with a facelift (but is not). It also includes other methods that make small differences, some of which are acceptable to people who are looking for slight changes or that have minimal aging effect on their skin. Tese methods include thermage, the use of radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin, although the experience with thermage has shown some change in the appearance it is absolutely minimal and not to ever be compared with the tightening and rejuvenation achieved by a surgical facelift. There are a variety of lasers that can tighten the skin either from the surface or from underneath the surface. None of these techniques is really meant to lift skin but more to create some tightening. This is not to minimize the use of various techniques to achieve a bit of tightening, but the effects that a surgical procedure to lift the sagging skin and remove excess aged skin are on a completely different level. The use of collagen injections with the exception of a product that is now off the shelf and not available anymore (evolence) is less popular simply because the length of duration of the injectible is not appreciable enough to justify the treatment. There are injectable fillers in the market that are economical enough to use that have a longer duration which are superior to collagen. That said, use filler sto create a "non-surgical face lift" is a way of trying to cheat time temporarily. What fillers do is similar to fixing a dent in a car, but rather than using a hammer on the inside of the door to bang out the dent, the filler is instead inject to fill out a wrinkle. However, when there is laxity or sagging skin on the cheeks and neck, the more appropriate mode of treatment is certainly not with fillers like collagen, restylane, (dermal fillers) juvederm or the like. The treatment of choice is still a facelift. The procedure has gone through quite a transformation in recent years, is less invasive and may be performed under local anesthetic. It no longer lasts 4 to 5 hours and can be peformed in a little over an hour. Inquire with your local facial plastic surgeon regarding your options to assess which treatment is appropriate for you.

No: Collagen is a bad filler and has many potential risks. Saggy jowls and face will not be lifted with any filler. Filler is just to fill depressions such as laugh lines, creases etc.

Fillers and Facelift: Fillers such as collagen injections can restore loss of volume but do not lift sagging skin appreciably and require a facelift. https://pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/2011/11/29/minimal-scar-facelift-surgery-lite-lift/.

Ultherapy : Though it is not a replacement for cosmetic surgery, ultherapy® offers meaningful improvement for lax skin with no downtime. Reversing the effects of time and gravity, ultherapy® lifts, tones, and tightens loose facial and neck skin. Once your brows begin to droop, your eyes begin to look small and tired. Ultherapy® lifts your forehead, opens your eyes, and creates a more refreshed, alert appearance. When your cheeks and neck begin to sag, it can change in the entire contour of your face. Ultherapy® tightens and lifts loose neck and jowl skin, creating a younger, sleeker look.

Depends: Fillers and Botox are used in what is often termed a 'liquid' facelift--which is a form of a nonsurgical facelift. Other techniques to tighten the skin such as ulthera are also nonsurgical in nature. The fillers and Botox won't tighten the skin but will reduce wrinkles and restore volume. Ulthera will tighten skin but does not enhance volume.

Nonsurgical facelift: A nonsurgical facelift includes noninvasive procedures like fillers, laser treatment and ultrasound treatment. Most physicians do not use collagen anymore but there are many fillers to choose from. Have your face evaluated by a board certified facial plastic surgeon to learn your options.