An Expert Q&A with Mr Marando of Star Clinic, one of the North West’s and UK’s most respected and renowned cosmetic surgeons. Mr Marando has his own purpose built private hospital in Altrincham, South Manchester, where he performs a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures across the breast, body and face. Mr Marando also offers non-surgical treatments too, placing him perfectly to offer you a bespoke treatment plan based on your individual needs.
One of the most common questions we get asked at Star Clinic is whether a patient needs a facelift or Botox. In our comprehensive guide, Mr Marando talks you through the options available.
Should you opt for a facelift or Botox?
This question can only be answered on an individual basis with an examination as it depends entirely on the age, skin and areas of concern that the individual would like to address.
What happens to the face as we age?
As we age the central face shows signs of ageing but so does the outer rim of the face. The jowls, skin laxity occurs together with fine wrinkles which gradually deepen over time. This means that many men and women start to lose confidence in how they look and feel and seek to discover ways to obtain a more youthful appearance.
Botox vs facelift: Understanding the differences
Before we dive deep, it is crucial to understand the fundamental differences between these two popular treatments. One is non- surgical meaning not invasive, limited downtime afterwards, the other is surgical which means a longer recovery and healing period.
Botox:
Let’s start with Botox. Botox is a quick, injectable treatment that doesn’t require anaesthesia. Botox addresses the ageing process by smoothing the wrinkles in the central face outer eye area where we can get what is known as crow’s feet but it can also be used around the face to reduce facial lines and harmonise movement. Administered correctly this can have dramatic effect on the right person.
Botox is a non-surgical treatment with no surgical incision and with no downtime, this treatment takes place in one of the Star Clinic treatment rooms.
Facelift:
A facelift is an invasive procedure that involves making incisions on your face, removing excess skin and fat and tightening the connective tissue and sagging skin. A facelift targets ageing in a completely different and permanent way. This is because skin laxity tissue is taken away and muscles are retightened.
The effect? Skin is retightened giving a smoother tighter look which follows the natural contour of the patients face.
With this procedure scars are positioned in a way that areas undetectable as possible within the hairline behind or inside the ear. The recovery, with it being a surgical procedure is longer, therefore the results are monitored.
At Star Clinic we use ground-breaking skin technology SKINSTORM to prepare the skin for surgery and speed up the healing process after surgery. SKINSTORM comes as standard to all our patients who are having a surgical face procedure like a facelift and brow lift.
When is a Facelift the Best Option?
A facelift is ideal for individuals with significant skin laxity, loose skin, or excess fat around the chin and jawline. This procedure is also suitable for those with sagging tissue or deep folds around their cheeks, nose, or mouth. Unlike Botox, a facelift addresses the underlying structures of the face, providing a more comprehensive and long-lasting solution for sagging and ageing skin resulting in a smoother, tighter look which follows the contours of the patients face.
The main purpose of a facelift is to restore an admirable cheek volume, a smooth, angular jawline without jowls and a neck with no excess fat or loose muscles. However, it’s important to bear in mind that a facelift is more expensive and invasive than Botox.
Botox or browlift?
In comparison with a direct surgical procedure, Botox on the forehead is more comparable to a brow lift. The browlift procedure is surgical and lifts the upper part of the face, this elevates the skin and repositions the eyebrows and forehead. It gives a lifted look and patients say refreshes the face’s facial expression to its previous more youthful look.
When is Botox better?
Again, this question can only truly be answered on an individual basis. What is right for your friends, may not be right or suitable for you.
Botox is often better suited for patients between the ages of 30 and 60 or those with mild to moderate lines and wrinkles. It’s an excellent option for individuals looking to address crow’s feet, forehead lines, and other early signs of ageing without the downtime associated with surgery. Botox can also help redefine and shape the face using advanced techniques, such as relaxing the muscle lines around the face and neck to improve a droopy mouth.
However, the results of Botox are not permanent and you will need to maintain them with regular treatments.
What are the Differences in Aftercare and Recovery for Facelift and Botox?
Post-procedure care differs significantly between the two. Facelift patients should expect a recovery period of several weeks, with instructions on caring for incisions, managing swelling and gradually resuming activities. At Star Clinic, we are well-known for our pre and post-surgery care.
We use our expertise and advanced skin analysis technology, SKINSTORM and OPATRA, to analyse and prepare the skin prior to surgery and personalised aftercare to ensure the very best outcomes for each patient.
Botox, conversely, has minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to their daily routine almost immediately.
How do you decide which treatment you need?
The choice between the two will largely depend on the results you desire and the kind of correction you’re looking for. This will always be dependent on the area of concern and the individual and will be discussed in detail in your initial consultation.
We are all different and this is why it is important to book a consultation with an expert who has a proven track record. This is important for two reasons:
– These are big decisions so it is important to get the best advice about which treatment from a surgeon who will give you honest and tailored advice
– You will need to decide which treatment best targets the problem area you are looking to improve
Making the Right Choice for You
Choosing between Botox and a facelift is a personal decision based on your unique needs, goals and the condition of your skin. We recommend booking a consultation with Mr Marando, who can analyse your personal case and make recommendations based on your goals and on a case-by-case basis.
Mr Marando has almost 500 5star RealSelf reviews and is well respected for his expertise, honest advice, he will never recommend treatment that is not right for you.
To book a consultation to discuss your options, please contact 0371 7054565 or email info@starclinic.co.uk
