A liquid lift is exactly what it sounds like: a facelift performed with liquids, specifically dermal fillers like Juvéderm® and Restylane, rather than traditional facelift surgery. Although hyaluronic acid fillers’ FDA approval for the lower face/chin is a more recent development, Dr. Jennifer Janiga has already been performing this type of procedure in her office for the past 10 years.
Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid fillers used to fill in static lines and wrinkles and improve facial volume to address early facial aging. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body, and it has a significant role in skin hydration, giving you a radiant glow. It also plays a role in stimulating collagen production, which is a protein that gives the skin elasticity and a firm texture. We offer the full suite of hyaluronic acid fillers, including Juvederm and Restylane, along with other types of soft tissue fillers and neuromodulators like Botox. Dermal fillers are ideal for deeper wrinkles and facial folds, while neuromodulators work as wrinkle relaxers to smooth fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial muscle contractions. Each patient will receive a unique combination of injectables to address their specific concerns.
A liquid lift involves injecting dermal fillers into different layers of the skin of the upper and lower face, temples, nasolabial folds (smile lines), and lips to address global facial volume loss caused by natural aging and time. This replacement “lifts” the temples, cheeks, face, and neck and can simultaneously give patients plumper lips, more contoured cheeks, or a brighter under-eye area.
Now, is a liquid lift as good as a full facelift? The answer is no, technology has not advanced far enough (yet) to completely replace a surgical facelift with non-surgical procedures, but for most patients, we can get awfully close!
Liquid lifts differ from surgical facelifts in that the liquid lift does not involve incisions, stitches, or general anesthesia. Instead, this minimally invasive treatment uses injectable fillers to reduce wrinkles and lift mildly sagging skin. Patients can return to work and all normal activities within a few days of their treatment. Patients will start to see smoother skin and a more youthful appearance immediately after injectable treatments, with continuing improvement for 1-2 weeks.
The liquid facelift is ideal for patients with volume loss and mild to moderate laxity of the skin who want to enhance their facial contours and refresh their youthful appearance without a surgical procedure. Dr. Jennifer Janiga or her associates will assess your medical history and skin quality at an initial consultation to ensure this is the right procedure for you. Patients taking prescription blood-thinning medications should consult with the prescribing physician about whether it is safe to stop taking their medications for a few days before treatment. Blood thinners and other substances like alcohol and certain herbal supplements can cause excess bruising. Those with a history of allergic reactions to lidocaine may not be good candidates.
Dr. Janiga typically prefers to perform any additional procedures 2 to 3 days before or after undergoing a liquid lift, as the swelling and bruising from the fillers used in the procedure may get in the way of other procedures such as Botox or lasers. At JanigaMDs, we understand that each patient’s situation is unique, and you should discuss any additional procedures you would like to have with Dr. Janiga or her associates during your one-on-one consultation. At that time, your provider will help you plan the optimal schedule for your desired treatments.
Once you arrive, your face will be numbed with topical medication for about 30 minutes. Next, the patient’s face will be cleansed with an antiseptic and prepared for the injections. The procedure usually begins at the top of the face, with a lift at the temple or cheek area to improve the upper portion of the face first. Once that is completed, we then move on to the lower portion of the face, either in a second session or at the same session, depending on your preference. The entire process takes about one hour.
You can drive yourself home unless you have taken a sedative for your procedure. Nitrous oxide is also available if patients prefer, in which case you will stay in the office for a few minutes after the procedure to allow the nitrous to completely wear off before departure.
We perform liquid lifts on the upper, lower, or entire face. The procedure can be split into two sessions, or, if you have decided to do the entire face at once, we can do it all in one session at our Reno office location.
Once the lower portion of your face has been treated, we will provide ice packs and care instructions to you before you leave. Liquid face lift patients can leave shortly after the procedure is finished, and typically do not require a dedicated caregiver. There will be some bruising and swelling around the injection sites for about a week afterward, but there is minimal downtime needed. No time off work is required, although we would recommend some avoidance of important social activities for the week afterward to allow for the bruising and swelling to resolve.
Once you recover fully, a full liquid lift can take years off your appearance! By adding dermal fillers in precise areas, the proportions of your face will be restored and redistributed to achieve a more youthful look. In addition, any lost volume will be replaced, and you will feel a lifting of the cheek and jowl area as well as an improvement in the contour of the jawline and neck areas. Patients will see some immediate results, with final results developing after two to four weeks as swelling reduces and the filler completely settles.
JanigaMDs is the only practice in Northern Nevada to house both a board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist under one roof, ensuring comprehensive care with carefully tailored plans that respect individual goals. Patients have access to the traditional surgical facelift and non-surgical alternatives like the liquid lift, with each option provided collaboratively with expert attention to detail.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Janiga has extensive training that includes a residency at Henry Ford Health System: Department of Dermatology, multiple fellowships in education and research, and over a decade of experience in cosmetic injectables and advanced skin care. She listens closely to each patient’s concerns, creating personalized plans designed to enhance natural beauty while maintaining a natural look and harmony among facial features.
Dr. Janiga has been awarded Best of Reno Dermatologist, Best of Reno Medical Spa, Top 5% of America’s Most Honored Professionals, and repeatedly named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Memberships include the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, along with a Fellowship in the American Academy of Dermatology. These awards and memberships reflect the high level of trust that Dr. Janiga’s patients and peers have in her work, and the level of genuine care that Dr. Janiga has for her work and its impact on patients’ lives.
When patients JanigaMDs for their liquid facelift in Reno, NV, they choose a team that is dedicated to personalized care with honest conversations, patient education, and a commitment to safety.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive way to address signs of facial aging and restore volume without the downtime required by surgical techniques, a liquid lift may be right for you. To learn more about the benefits of liquid lifts and to schedule a time for your procedure, call JanigaMDs at 775-364-0224 or contact us online today.
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JanigaMDs is the only practice in Reno where patients can consult with both a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified plastic surgeon in one visit.
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Founded in 2010, the team at JanigaMDs has been proven to provide the utmost care for all patients. With a 4.7 rating over almost 700 reviews, JanigaMDs is the premier aesthetic practice in Northern Nevada.
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