In an age where fillers and cosmetic surgery are becoming more and more popular, it can be difficult to choose just what’s right for your situation.
If you are confused about whether fillers or facial surgery is the better option, then we are here to help you with your decision. Today we walk through the similarities and differences between facial fillers and facial surgery and which is best for which situations.
What is the effect?
The main difference between facial surgery (e.g. a facelift) and facial fillers is the effect that each has on the face. A facelift will have a large effect on the entire surface of the skin.
Fine lines and wrinkles across the face will all be removed along with sagging, from pulling the skin taught. Fillers can also remove fine lines and wrinkles, but it is done in localized areas on the face and fills in the small grooves rather than pulling them taught.
How long will it last?
Facial surgeries are a fairly permanent option when it comes to addressing your face. This is in contrast to fillers, which generally dissolve over the course of 6 months to a year, and will need topping up if you desire. There are more permanent fillers that you can get, but they aren’t as widespread as those that dissolve over time.
How much will it cost?
Depending on the practitioner and the clinic that you visit, the cost of both fillers and cosmetic facial surgery can vary. Generally, a facelift surgeon is more expensive than a doctor who is trained in using fillers.
The general cost of a single area application of fillers in Australia is around the $500 mark, although this can vary. The general cost of a facial surgery performed by a plastic surgeon runs into the thousands of dollars.
What is my age?
Your age also comes into play when deciding whether fillers or surgery is more appropriate. In general, fillers are used from age 20 and above, whereas a facelift is more popular in those over 50. A face lift surgeon will likely dissuade a young patient seeking a facelift as it is likely an unnecessary procedure until later on in their life.
What is my health like?
Because a facial surgery involves more trauma to the body than an application of fillers, your health is very important. For those who are not particularly healthy, you might like to consider getting fit, losing weight, etc. if you would like to undergo facial surgery. If your health situation is out of your own control, then it may be a better idea to consider fillers as an alternative instead.
What is the extent of my skin degradation?
What is the condition of your skin? Are there fine lines and some wrinkles on it, scattered around the place? Or are there deeper grooves forming, and sagging occurring across the whole of your face? If it is the former, then it is likely that fillers will do the trick, and if it is the latter, then facial surgery may be a better option for you.
Author Bio:
Dr. Michael Zacharia is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Head and Neck (Otolaryngology) and specialises in Facial Plastic Surgery. With over 4000 Rhinoplasty procedures performed throughout his career, Dr. Zacharia’s ability to achieve natural looking beauty using facial rejuvenation has earned him a prestigious reputation amongst the public, as well as within the medical community.
