The modern facelift has been around since the 1950s, but planning for a facelift until one, or two decades ago was tricky. Today, cosmetic doctors and surgeons are specializing in age-reversing injections, developing “liquid facelift” techniques in recent years for those looking to quickly rejuvenate without surgery. While these do not replace the surgical facelift in terms of degree of lift, they are more accessible for everyone in terms of downtime and cost, and definitely a more convenient and less risky way to freshen up and more subtly “well-aged”.
HOW THE FACE AGES
But the idea of an injection achieving a facelift effect is intriguing. Many young people complain of “chipmunk cheeks” and look for ways to reduce facial fat, so how does a facial filler achieve a rejuvenative effect?
With age, the face loses fat and volume, clumping up and sags. This results in a loss of radiance as the cheeks and temples deflate and the shape of the face changes gradually. Sunken temple hollows make a person look tire and less attractive, calling unwanted attention to the cheeks.
Adding filler to the midface and temples replaces lost volume and can actually lift it.
NOT ALL FILLERS ARE MADE THE SAME
The lion’s share of fillers in a doctor’s office is the hyaluronic acid (HA) filler, but there are a few others which are made from other biodegradable materials. Dream Sculpture uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) which is made from the same stuff as absorbable sutures. Unlike HA fillers which primarily fill, Dream Sculpture is a facial filler that needs a dose of patience. It is a biostimulatory filler – it gives an immediate but short-term filling effect, and then stimulates the growth of one’s own collagen over months for more long-lasting volume and lift.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR DREAM SCULPTURE?
Dream Sculpture can be used to replace lost volume, treat deep wrinkles and folds. It cannot be used to fill the lips and around the eyes. Most doctors would also be uncomfortable with using Dream Sculpture on the forehead. While HA fillers will also do the same, if the facial volume lost is significant, Dream Sculpture will probably end up being the less expensive (and longer-lasting) option.
Depending on the desired amount of volume replacement, more than 1 session may be required. It is important to know that unlike HA fillers which can be readily dissolved, once injected, Dream Sculpture is impossible to remove, with results lasting up to 2 years. Therefore sessions are usually recommended approximately 4 weeks apart to avoid over-filling.
In the right hands, Dream Sculpture can be amazing, teaching your skin to restore itself over time.