Let’s start by saying, these two treatments differ…greatly.

But, you’re not alone by wondering how they differ. In fact, it’s a question we’re asked by many of our patients. So, let’s get to it…

Injectable treatments including Botox and Dermal Fillers have become the most popular cosmetic treatments due to their ability to reduce the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. These treatments are also non-invasive and do not carry the same recovery times or costs as cosmetic surgery.

However, for some people, the results of these treatments can be limiting, and a facelift is the best option for more advanced signs of aging. It all depends on the desired outcome.

When you’re looking into cosmetic treatments, it can be difficult to know which you should have. You should always speak to an expert about your chosen treatment but here’s a quick guide to help you understand more about both Botox and facelifts and what they can treat.

If you want to know more, click the links below:

What is a facelift?
What are the benefits of a facelift?
What do you need to be aware of?
When should you have a facelift?
What is Botox?
What are the benefits of Botox?
What do you need to be aware of?
When should you have Botox?
Which treatment should you choose?

What is a facelift?

A facelift is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon makes small incisions at your hairline and/or behind your ears. They can then lift the skin on your face to get to the muscle, tissue and skin underneath so that it can be pulled back into a more youthful position and remove excess skin or sagging skin, restoring a youthful, more refreshed appearance.

Facelifts are mainly used to address the lower part of your face but surgeons can also improve the look of your forehead, eyebrows and eyelids at the same time. A facelift is used to treat:

Loss of skin elasticity
Loss of facial volume
Sagging cheeks, jawline and neck tissue

What are the benefits of a facelift?

A facelift can provide a number of benefits:

Tightens skin – if you have sagging skin in your jowl or neck area and want a more youthful experience, a facelift is the perfect treatment. After a facelift, your face will be reshaped and tightened to achieve that smooth and youthful appearance you’re looking for.
Visible results – once you’ve had a facelift, your appearance will be improved more visibly when compared to cosmetic injectables which can take a few weeks to take effect and will have a minimal effect.
Long-lasting results – whilst Botox and fillers can wear off after time and require multiple treatments for the best effect, a facelift will last much longer. As with any treatment, you will need to continue to take care of your skin to maintain the effects of the procedure.
Addresses more advanced signs of aging – where Botox can address mild to moderate signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, there’s only so much it can treat. On the other hand, a facelift can treat more advanced signs of aging such as sagging skin to leave you looking more youthful again.

What do you need to be aware of?

As with any cosmetic procedure, alongside the benefits, it’s also important to consider the risks or downsides. Here are some of the downsides to consider before you have a facelift:

Requires patients to undergo anesthesia which adds an extra risk factor to the procedure
The invasive nature of the procedure means that recovery can take up to a month or more
Straight after the procedure, you will experience swelling, bruising and visible stitches, unlike Botox that does not have any pronounced signs of treatment

When should you have a facelift?

A facelift lifts the tissues and muscles under the skin on your face which means it can remove sagging skin – something that Botox can’t do!

If you have noticed skin laxity, loose or sagging skin around your chin, jaw, cheeks, nose and mouth, a facelift may be the best option for you because Botox will not be able to treat these issues.

What is Botox?

Botox is an extremely popular cosmetic injectable that is used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles on your face to reduce the common signs of aging. The treatment relaxes the facial muscles in the treated area to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent further lines or wrinkles from forming or becoming deeper.

The most common areas Botox can treat include:

Glabellar region – the lines between and above your eyebrows
Periorbital region – the crow’s feet or horizontal lines that appear near your eyes
Forehead – the horizontal lines that appear on your forehead

You can find out more about how Botox works in our guide.

What are the benefits of Botox?

Botox provides a number of benefits which is what makes it such a popular cosmetic treatment.

Quick treatment time – lunchtime treatment! Botox treatments take ~10-15 minutes.
Minimally invasive – unlike surgery which requires anaesthetic and stitches, Botox is a non-invasive procedure with very little pain experienced by patients.
No downtime – after Botox, you can return to your daily routine immediately with no downtime needed.
Lasts up to four months – the effects of Botox can take a up to 2 weeks to fully appear but once you’ve gained the full results, they will be maintained for up to three months. You will then need to return for further treatments to maintain the look you want.

What do you need to be aware of?

When you’re choosing between a facelift or Botox, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of both treatments. The cons of Botox include:

Not permanent – while this is a good thing if you’ve never tried Botox before and want to see what the results are like before you have more, it can be a negative if you want to maintain the results for longer than 3 months. A facelift is more permanent than Botox.
Can’t address all the signs of aging – Botox is great for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles but it’s not going to address more advanced signs of aging such as loose skin, jowls or turkey neck. Dermal fillers may be able to help, but only a consultation will be able to determine which services are right for you.

Want to know more about the pros and cons of Botox? Read our guide.

When should you have Botox?

Botox is the perfect treatment for wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement over time. Throughout your lifetime, you will squint or frown countless times and this movement can cause permanent lines and wrinkles on the surface of your skin, especially as you age and collagen production slows down.

Botox costs less than a facelift and treatments and recovery take much less time which makes it ideal if you’re looking for a quick way to treat those wrinkles and lines. However, Botox results are temporary so you will need to continue your injections if you want to maintain a wrinkle free look.

So, which treatment should you choose?

It’s important to remember that the need for Botox or a facelift accomplish very different objectives. The treatment you choose will depend on the results you desire.

For some patients, a facelift is the only option to deliver significant anti-aging effects. On the other hand, for most patients, a round of Botox injections is enough to provide a noticeably younger look and without spending as much or having to go under the knife.

To learn more about Botox and how it works or to book a consultation at our Denver or Greenwood Village clinics, please contact us today.