A closer look at Face Rejuvenation:
All about Face Shaping and Lifting
We cannot promise you a time machine, but we can provide you with other methods of going back in time. With today’s technology, you are now able to shave several years off your skin and help achieve a younger and more youthful outlook!
Meet today’s weapons of choice to ward off facial ageing tell-tales: HIFU & MFU, Thread lift, Botox and Fillers, 4D non-surgical V Lift – all different methods to help achieve a more defined face shape to beat signs of ageing.
Let us break down all these different methods so you can choose the one most suitable for you!
Botox
First up, we have the popular Botulinum Toxin, more commonly known as Botox. It is an injectable neuromodulator that temporarily alters nerve signals to the muscles, causing them to relax, thus ceasing fine lines and wrinkles forming on one’s face. Botox is commonly used to treat frown lines, glabellar lines, elevens, and even crow’s feet. These effects are temporary and last for about 4-6 months.
A common usage of Botox for face lifting is Nefertiti lift, a cosmetic procedure targeting lower parts of the face, jaw and neck. The Nefertiti lift targets platysma bands that run vertically from the bottom of your face to your collarbone, resulting in overall tightening of the neck and recontouring of the jawline. Nefertiti Lift Botox is a minimally invasive way to restore a youthful look without surgery. Keep in mind that this procedure is not permanent, and the results of a Nefertiti lift last a few months to half a year. For more information on Botox treatments, click here.
Fillers
Dermal fillers are most commonly made out of Hyaluronic Acid. It is often used for anti-ageing facial enhancements or volume restoration. They are usually administered through a needle or cannula and work by attracting moisture to water molecules at the targeted areas to achieve that voluminous, bouncier and smoother visage.
Not to be confused with Botox, though they are both commonly used together to enhance facial shaping and contouring, e.g., Botox jaw and chin fillers for V-shaped face. For more information on filler treatments, click here.
HIFU and MFU
Next up, we move on from injectable methods and enter the world of ultrasound therapy. The two main types are High-Intensity Frequency Ultrasound (HIFU) and Ultherapy’s® Micro-Focused Ultrasound (MFU).
HIFU (Ultraformer III)
HIFU uses precise medical ultrasound energy that penetrates deep into layers of the dermis to lift the face and tighten the skin. It works by heating up and stimulating existing collagen fibres that causes them to thicken and shorten, resulting in long-term tightening and lifting effects.
MFU (Ultherapy)
Ultherapy® uses MFU, which gets its name by the sharp and focused method, designed to target and deliver focused energy to a specific skin layer, leaving surrounding areas unaffected. The result? – tightening and lifting of saggy skin over the treated area. This treatment works best for younger-middle aged patients with mild to moderate skin laxity and wishes to avoid surgical methods.
For more in-depth information about HIFU and MFU, click here to read our article on Ultherapy VS High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).
Thermage Flx
Thermage FLX is a radiofrequency treatment that aims to smoothen and improve one’s visage by stimulating collagen production.
Here is how it works. Our skin is made of several skin layers: the epidermis’s surface, and the dermis, which is the thicker and collagen-rich layer of the skin. Collagen is parallel layers of fiber that hold the skin together, and when these fibers are weakened, the skin starts to sag.
Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency waves to create heat energy that makes these collagen fibers contract and thicken. This results in our skin tightening, but that’s not all. Once our body thinks that the collagen is damaged, it starts to reproduce new and stronger collagen, which helps in the skin’s overall health. This is why after a few months of this treatment, you will reap the full benefit of a toned, more lifted and younger-looking appearance.
Face Thread Lift
A thread lift is as literal as the name suggests, a cosmetic procedure that uses temporary medical-grade threads to lift and sculpt the skin. These threads are inserted into the face’s subcutaneous levels and act as a support to the skin to achieve a more defined face shape. There is also another type of thread that helps to stimulate collagen production in the targeted area.
A thread lift is also a minimally invasive way to sculpt one’s face and is a quick procedure of about 30-45 minutes. It is a relatively simple procedure with minimal downtime and side effects.
This treatment is more suited for individuals between 30-50 years old and has started to notice early signs of ageing. You can expect dramatic yet natural results and can last for about 1-2 years!
4D Non-surgical Face & Neck V-Lift
Last and not least, in our listicle of facelift options, we have the 4D non-surgical V-lift, which is also the specialty of Zoe Medical!
To understand this treatment, we first need to understand the 4 dimensions of the face and neck, which are:
Flat cheeks/Planar mid-face
Most Asians are born with a planar mid-face or flat cheeks, and this results in a wide appearance to our visage.
Square jawline
Asians usually have a broad lower face or a square jawline. This is the result of excess fat, strong muscle and thick skin.
Sagging jowls (lower part of the cheek), and
Sagging Jowls or “Bulldog Jawline” is a condition seen in Asians usually above the age of 50.
Double chin and loose neck
Many Asians have a thick upper neck area, known as a “double chin”, as well as loose skin in the mid-neck zones.
Now that you understand a little about the 4 dimensions, how does the 4D non-surgical V-Lift treat these areas?
Flat cheeks
The 4D V-lift treats this by melting fat along the side of the cheeks, followed by increasing the forward projection by grafting fat in the cheek mound. This results in a narrower, more projected mid-face.
Square jawline
The 4D V-Lift tightens the skin with HIFU, melts the fat with an internal laser, and reduces muscle thickness with deep radiofrequency. The overall result is a slimmer and tighter lower jawline, together with the above mentioned projected mid-face
Sagging jowls
The 4D V-Lift defines the sagging jowls by introducing a combination of internal laser, and external High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to produce a smoother and tighter lower face complements the projected cheeks and slimmer jawline.
Double chin and loose neck
Once the face has been reshaped, the neck may also require some enhancement. By treating these areas, the 4D V-lift can give a more defined neck shape and smoothen out any neck wrinkles. The neck lift will complement the new V-shaped face perfectly!
How is the 4D V-Lift carried out?
Once the treatment area is numb, 4D non-surgical V-Lift is performed with a combination of 4 modalities: radiofrequency , HIFU, collagen-stimulating suture-lift and fractional laser. Besides mild swelling due to the local anaesthetic used, there is virtually no downtime, and the swelling typically disappears overnight. The treatment itself will then take approximately 45-60mins.
Am I suitable for this procedure?
The 4D V-Lift treatment is designed to achieve a V-Shaped Face and Neck. Every individual will receive a customised treatment plan tailored for his/her individual needs.
This treatment benefits patients regardless of age or severity of skin laxity. The treatment can be designed as a preventive anti-ageing procedure or to address visible signs of ageing.
The 4D non-surgical V-Lift treatment is our specialisation here at Zoe Medical, and our doctor has years of experience and successes in performing this treatment.
Now that you have taken a closer look into the different face shaping and enhancing methods, you can decide which one suits your needs better. However, as each treatment is suited to other individuals depending on several factors, speak to us for more information, and we will be happy to assist!
Reach out to Zoe Medical to find out more! Whatsapp us here!
Address: #03-07/08 Camden Medical Centre, One Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248649
Telephone: 6836 6035 or 9147 6430
Email: info@zoemedical.sg
All information provided is purely for educational purposes only and does not constitute as medical advice.
