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Let us discuss the appearance of being younger. Dermal filler is the quick fix that has been used over the years. However, recently, others have been seeking the older, more lasting remedy: the facelift surgery.

Which of them is really better in the long run? Is filler at last being beaten? We shall put it in plain language.

At a Glance: Facelift vs. Filler

1. The Big Difference: What Do They Actually Do?

This is the part that is most significant to comprehend. Their modes of work are totally different.

Dermal Filler: The "Plumper"

1. Consider dermal filler as a pillow stuffing. With time, the pillow becomes flat. Filler is used to add volume so as to plump it.
2. It works well on filling in lines, creating volume on cheeks, and lip definition.
3. It does NOT tighten or depilate dangling skin. When there is a lot of loose skin, sometimes you add more volume, and the face will appear heavier or puffy.

Surgical Facelift: The "Lifter & Tightener"

1. Consider a facelift surgery as a suit-making. The suit cloth (your skin) has now become loose and baggy. A tailor accepts it and cuts off the surplus material and stitches it into a nice fit once more.
2. A facelift procedure will literally pull up the drooping skin and muscles of your face, get rid of the excess, and re-tuck it to a more pulled-up appearance.
3. It focuses directly on jowls, sagging neck, and deep folds.

2. The Longevity Game: Which One Lasts Longer?

It is at this point that the debate becomes interesting.

The Filler Timeline (5-10 Years)

1. Dermal Filler is not permanent. It gradually gets degraded in your body.
2. To keep that same appearance, you have to have frequent touch-up appointments- usually 1 to 2 times/year.
3. You can also have 5-10 or more syringe appointments over a decade. The expense and impact cumulate in the long run.

The Facelift Timeline (10-15 Years)

1. A facelift treatment is a single process that has a long-term effect.
2. Though you will keep on growing old naturally, you will always appear younger than you are without having the surgery.
3. It is often true that a great facelift surgery will be gorgeous in 7-15 years, when you may need to do a minor correction.

Winner on Longevity: The Facelift surgery. It is a long-term solution, whereas filler is a long-term commitment.

3. The Real Cost: It's More Than Just Money

You need to consider the long-term cost and not the cost of a single appointment.

Winner on Long-Term Value: It is a Tie. In the long run (more than 10 years), the cumulative cost can be rather comparable. The option is between a large initial investment (facelift) or a subscription (filler) one.

4. The "Look": Natural vs. "Worked-On"

This is regarding the end outcome.

The Dermal Filler Look

1. Dermal fillers may appear natural and brisk when executed delicately and professionally.
2. Excessively done, it might appear self-evident, puffy, and unnatural to the contours of your face. It is what they refer to as the pillow face look.

The Facelift Surgery Look

1. The traditional tight appearance of the wind tunnel is no longer in fashion.
2. A good and modern facelift done by a good cosmetic surgeon is the goal of a natural, restful, and lifted look. You want to make people think that you look well-rested, not done.

Winner of the Best Appearance: The Facelift surgery (when done properly). It does not change your natural shapes since it is not adding foreign material to them.

So, Who Wins? Is Filler Beaten?

It has nothing to do with beating the other one. It is a matter of having the appropriate tool to use.

• Choose Filler if:
  1. You are in your 30s or early 40s.
  2. Volume loss and fine lines are the major concerns for you.
  3. You have a little bit of skin dragging.
  4. You require less downtime and a reduced initial cost.
  5. You do not mind continuous maintenance.
• Choose a Facelift if:
  1. You are in your 50s, 60s, or beyond.
  2. Sinking skin, jowls, and neck drooping are your primary anxieties.
  3. You desire a long-term solution of ten years.
  4. You are prepared to make the initial investment and payback period.
  5. You are not only treating the symptoms of aging (gravity), but the cause.

The Smartest Approach Often Combines Both!

A good number of individuals have the best of both worlds. They may even undergo a facelift surgery to take care of the significant sagging and elevate it. Then, many years later, they apply a small filler to keep the cheeks or lips full and look impeccably fresh.