Non-surgical facelift vs traditional facelift – which is right for you?

Gone are the days when going under the knife was the only option for lifting facial contours, tightening jowls and creating firmer-looking skin. With rapid advancements in technology over the last decade, reversing these common signs of ageing is now achievable without having to turn to surgery. And the best part? You still look exactly like you – just fresher, tighter and more youthful.

If you’re considering your options and are wondering which route is right for you – non-surgical facelift or traditional – you may be feeling overwhelmed with the many treatments available on the market. Whether you’re just starting your anti-ageing journey and want something to ease you in with minimal downtime and little side effects, or you’re looking for the most powerful treatment available as an alternative to surgery, this guide will help you choose which is best for you.

What you can do with injectables

Injectable treatments have revolutionised the field of facial rejuvenation. Once upon a time, dermal fillers were placed directly into lines and wrinkles to bulk them out. However, in more recent years, the aim has shifted towards softening the face by replacing lost volume, particularly in the cheeks and lips. As well, dermal fillers are used to structure the face, for example, by adding definition to the jawline and chin or to balance facial asymmetry.

You can reduce some of the sagging with dermal fillers but tighten the skin itself, what is needed is a more aggressive treatment that combines micro-needling with energy-based devices that use radiofrequency, heat, laser or ultrasound energy. These both shrink the skin and encourage it to renew and strengthen itself from the inside out.

Skin tightening with Profound RF

Profound RF is a non-surgical facelift causing a stir in the aesthetics industry, mainly due to its ability to reduce the signs of ageing and produce long-lasting, natural-looking results in a way that not many other devices can. It is designed to create new elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid – the critical building blocks that keep your skin smooth and elastic. But what makes it different from other energy-based treatments?

Firstly, it produces long-lasting, dramatic results in just a single treatment without toxins, fillers or surgery. By penetrating the skin at a precise depth with tiny needles, before momentarily releasing a targeted burst of radiofrequency energy (heat) the device makes the skin think it is injured, so it kickstarts lazy collagen into frenetic activity; encouraging growth factors and new collagen to heal the perceived wounds. In due course (3-6 months to be precise), this shows up as lifted, firmer and tighter skin.

The Profound RF isn’t just any skin-tightening treatment – it’s doctor-led and requires approximately one week of downtime as the skin heals. However, as a one-off treatment that produces results to last several years, this is to be expected.

Who is the right candidate?

Profound is suitable for anyone who’s noticing significant signs of ageing such as sagging and drooping skin, jowls and pronounced wrinkles but it can also be used as a preventative method for reducing the signs of ageing as they begin to emerge.

Which is right for you – Profound RF or a traditional, surgical facelift?

Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your practitioner, but it also depends on your individual concerns and the results you’d like to achieve. The Profound RF is in a league of its own when it comes to non-surgical skin tightening. Unlike traditional radio-frequency treatments which heat the skin to 42 degrees C, the Profound penetrates much deeper into the facial tissues heating them to 67 degrees C, and therefore stimulating a much stronger response.

Also, consider your pain sensitivity. The Profound RF non-surgical facelift has considerably less downtime than a traditional surgical facelift. Whilst the Profound is likely to cause swelling and mild bruising for the first 3-7 days after treatment, a surgical facelift can take up to a month and sometimes much longer to heal. It also poses a much higher risk of infection and of sustaining medical complications and scars.

Profound RF vs. Surgical Facelift Chart

	Profound RF	Surgical Facelift
Procedure type	Non-surgical Facelift- a combination of micro-needling and radiofrequency energy which heats the deep skin tissue to 67 degrees Celsius.	Surgical procedure
Cost	From £2,800	Ranges from £6,000-£10,000 in and around London
Pain	Your doctor will administer local anaesthetic before treatment, so most patients hardly experience any pain during treatment. You’ll likely experience some mild discomfort in the days following as your skin starts the healing process.	After your facelift, you will experience bruising and swelling, which lasts about two to three weeks. You may have trouble opening your mouth for several days and some areas may be numb.
Number of treatments needed	1	1
Expected results	Tighter, firmer and smoother-looking skin within 3-6 months following treatment. Results last for several years.	Tighter, firmer and smoother-looking skin within 6-9 months following treatment. Results last for 3-6 years depending on the technology used.
Who this treatment is not recommended for	Treatment should be avoided in those with pacemakers and metal implants.	A facelift is an invasive procedure which requires considerable amount of time for healing and recovery. A patient with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart problems, obesity, diabetes and unstable blood pressure, should avoid surgery.
Recovery time	A few days to a week	2 to 4 weeks

When choosing the right procedure for you, it’s important to do your research, read articles, speak to qualified medical professionals and most importantly, read patient stories and reviews. If you’d like to speak to a practitioner regarding our non-surgical treatment options including the Profound RF, you may book a consultation here.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.