Liquid Face Lift
What Is It?
A liquid face lift aims to lift and firm the face with injected products alone, without any incision. In fact, it is not the name of a single product. I see it as a concept. Depending on the map that comes out of the facial analysis, we combine different products such as hyaluronic acid based fillers, calcium hydroxyapatite and skinboosters.
Ageing involves more than loose skin. The fat pads shrink and slide downwards, bone support decreases, and the collagen in the skin drops as well. We address these losses on two levels. The first is collagen. Products such as calcium hydroxyapatite stimulate the skin’s own collagen production, and the skin becomes somewhat thicker and firmer. The second is a different way of using filler. There are structures that hold our face up, tying the skin to the bone. When we put the sagging structure back in place and support it from underneath with filler, much like a wedge, we lift the face mechanically. Combining the two is what gives us a good result.
How Is It Done?
The treatment starts with facial analysis. We look at the upper, middle and lower parts of the face separately. Where did the volume loss begin, which structure is the shadow coming from, where should the support points be? We do not choose a product until this map is ready.
I compare it to reupholstering a sofa. An upholsterer first repairs the frame, then restores the padding, and only at the end replaces the fabric. If he renews the frame and the padding and sends the sofa back in its old fabric, the result will not be what you wanted. On the face, too, we choose the product and the depth according to the layer and the area. At the support points over the bone we use firmer products; in thin areas close to the surface, more fluid ones. Beforehand we apply a topical anaesthetic cream, then work with a cannula or a fine needle. The procedure takes 30-45 minutes on average. When it is finished, we look in the mirror together and check the symmetry.
Who Is It For?
It suits patients who notice midface descent or volume loss over the cheekbones, and those whose nasolabial lines (from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth) and marionette lines (running down from the corners of the mouth) have deepened. It comes up for people who do not want surgery, or for whom surgery is still too early. We usually start discussing it from the mid-thirties onwards. I often hear the question “Will it work at my age?” Age on its own is not the measure. I look at how much the face has changed more than at the number.
If skin laxity is advanced and the main problem is excess skin more than lost volume, injections alone will not be enough. In that case I tell you openly at the consultation that it will not meet your expectation. We do not perform it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if there is active infection at the treatment site, or in cases of bleeding disorder or uncontrolled autoimmune disease. If you take any medication, we include it in the assessment, along with any procedures you have had before.
Process & Recovery
Consultation and analysis
We note your expectations, your medical history and any medication you take. We carry out the facial analysis and finalise the plan together. Photographs for comparison are taken at this stage.
Treatment day
We cleanse the skin and leave the topical anaesthetic cream on for 15-20 minutes. Then we treat the planned points. Total time is 30-45 minutes on average.
First 48 hours
Redness, mild swelling and sometimes bruising can appear at the injection points. These are expected and temporary. On the first day we ask you to stay away from heat, intense exercise and alcohol, and not to press on the treated area.
First two weeks
The swelling goes down and the product settles into the tissue. The appearance usually takes 10-14 days to settle. We do not assess the result before then.
Review
We see you for a review at the end of the second week. If needed, we do a small top-up, which is a normal part of the plan.
Results & Duration
The effect of the volume support starts to show right after the procedure. The real picture becomes clear once the swelling settles, on average within two weeks. How long it lasts depends on the product used, the area, your metabolism and your lifestyle. The range generally reported for hyaluronic acid based products is 12-18 months.
The effect fades with time. We leave no substance in the tissue that stays for life, so if you want to continue, you will need a renewal. Many patients hesitate because they think “once I start, I can never stop”. There is no such obligation.
What Is Not Promised
A liquid face lift does not replace a surgical face lift. In advanced sagging it does not remove excess skin. On its own it does not correct pigmentation or fine surface lines, and it cannot give you a look that stays the same whatever happens to your weight.
How long the result lasts and how much can be achieved varies from person to person. I make no promise about duration, and I do not say “it’s all done in one session”. If at the consultation your expectation does not match what the treatment can do, I do not recommend it.
Key Benefits
- Instant lifting
- Natural look
- Scarless application
“I see the liquid face lift as a concept. Restoring the skin’s collagen is not always enough; sometimes the lost volume has to be put back as well. Which of the two you need becomes clear at the examination.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a liquid face lift surgery?
No. There is no incision and no stitches; it is done with injections alone. That is why recovery is much shorter than after surgery.
How long does it take, and can I return to work the same day?
The treatment takes 30-45 minutes on average, and most people go back to their daily routine the same day. Swelling or bruising can appear in the first days, so if you have an important event coming up, I suggest scheduling the procedure a few days ahead of it.
Is it painful?
It is not very painful. We apply a topical anaesthetic cream beforehand, and most people describe pressure and a slight sting. In areas where we use a cannula there are fewer entry points, so the discomfort is even less.
Will the result look natural?
If the plan is right, yes. The worry I hear most often at consultations is “I don’t want to look swollen, I don’t want to end up like a balloon.” How natural it looks depends on the plan more than on the amount. What makes a face look unnatural is loading an area with more volume than it needs.
When will I see the final result?
You notice the first effect right away, and the appearance settles as the swelling goes down. We wait about two weeks before assessing it.
How long does it last?
Depending on the product and the area, the range generally reported is 12-18 months. It varies from person to person, and if you want to continue, a renewal is needed.
Is it reversible?
With hyaluronic acid based products, yes. If necessary they can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase. This does not apply to products of a different composition, which is why we discuss the choice of product together at the consultation.
Who is it not suitable for?
We do not perform it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if there is active infection at the treatment site, or in cases of bleeding disorder or uncontrolled autoimmune disease. We assess suitability at the consultation.