Non-surgical Facelift:
How to Get a Lift Without Surgery

Tighten this. Lift that. Smooth those. Eliminate these.

Facial procedures have almost replaced diamonds as a girl’s best friend.

According to a survey by the American Academy of Facial Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, the number of facelifts performed in 2003 increased by 46 percent from 2002. This is especially interesting when you consider that a facelift was one of the top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2002, according to the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons. People, it seems, are becoming more and more interested in, well, putting their best face forward.

Unfortunately, surgery is an expensive, time-consuming procedure often riddled with risks and pain, all for the sake of beauty. Many people are unwilling or unable to go under the knife, but still want the rejuvenated appearance of a surgical facelift. If you’re one of them, the revolution of natural non-surgical facelifts may be your answer!

A natural non-surgical facelift is a non-invasive treatment meant to tighten, tone and treat imperfections by using techniques such as pressure, massage or even exercise. The effects aren’t as permanent, but they can be quite dramatic. Here are some of the more common ways to restore a more youthful face without having to spend too much time and money.

The Acupuncture Facelift
In the acupuncture facelift, fine needles are inserted at precise energy pathways (known as meridians) on the face to treat wrinkles. The insertion point differs with each patient depending on his or her individual needs. “If a patient is most concerned with wrinkles around her eyes, I’ll do more around that part,” explains Edmund Erickson, a licensed acupuncturist at the Classical Acupuncture Clinic in Lake Forest, Calif., who is also highly trained in Oriental medicine.

One session lasts 90 minutes and often includes the use of herbal wraps and face masks to enhance the effect. “Ultimately, the main problem [behind wrinkles] is in the overall balance of energy,” says Erickson, “so we address that as well.”

The result is a tighter, softer feeling face, which appears after about five or six treatments. Erickson recommends 10 treatments over a period of five weeks, after which he suggests a monthly visit for maintenance.

And the needles? “They are tiny, tiny needles,” stresses Erickson. “Once you see for yourself, you won’t be scared.”

The Acupressure Facelift
If you are still nervous around needles, never fear: there are other options. The acupressure facelift is similar to acupuncture, except it uses pressure on the meridians rather than pinpricks. “Other than that, the result is essentially the same,” says Banya Lim, a licensed acupuncturist at BR Clinic in Arizona, who also has extensive experience in Oriental medicine.

Like acupuncture, the acupressure facelift releases energy that moves blood and fluid through the body. This also keeps collagen and elastin fibers wet and warm, which stimulates their growth. In other words, acupressure increases blood circulation and fluidity, which helps to prevent the formation of wrinkles.

“The acupressure facelift is painless and relaxing, and you can do it at home for yourself!” says Lim, who often teaches her patients to apply pressure themselves in between visits. In fact, it’s a good idea to consistently perform acupressure on yourself whether or not you get an acupressure face lift, because it will help prolong the results of any facial procedure.

Regenerative Collagen Enhancement Facial
This intensive, anti-aging moisturizing treatment is sure to smooth and regenerate your skin to the point of youthful elasticity. “The skin gets plumped up and looks beautifully smooth and supple,” says Deborah Woods, founder and owner of Skin Deep - The Body Spa in Huntington Beach, Calif.

This collagen facial is an 80-minute multistep treatment using layers of products, specifically a special kind of collagen mask. “It uses pure, native biomatrix collagen,” Woods explains. “Most collagen can’t absorb into the skin because the molecular size is too large, but this kind is smaller.” This allows almost the entire collagen mask to absorb right into the skin.

“It evens out skin tone, decreases the amount of lines on the face, gives skin a tighter look and improves regeneration,” Woods says. “The skin is extremely hydrated and feels very thick because it retains the moisture of the collagen.” You can expect this incredible result to last between five and seven days.

The Hydrolifting Facial
Attending a wedding or big event in a few days? The hydrolifitng facial might be perfect for you. This deep cleansing treatment actually lifts and firms the skin with active ingredients such as hylauronic acid.

“It’s definitely a mini facelift!” says Woods. After cleansing, exfoliation and hydration, a light firming mask is applied as close to the under eye as possible. This not only moisturizes the skin, it also stimulates and tones the tissue. The result is very dramatic and is especially excellent for those dealing with dry skin.

“It’s a preventative and corrective anti-aging treatment,” Woods says. In fact, she points out, studies have shown that long-term treatment of the skin can actually lead to the thickening of collagen and elastin. Though more temporary than the other procedures (the effect only lasts around three days at most), the hydrolifting facial will instantly have you looking more radiant, hydrated and toned—the coveted characteristics of youth.

Facial Exercises
Yes, exercises. The idea behind this technique is, just as the body loses tone from lack of exercising, so does the face. With age, proponents say, facial muscles begin to weaken and the skin begins to sag. To firm up these muscles, and thus restore the strength and suppleness from your youth, you can perform simple facial exercises each day.

But not everyone thinks facial exercising is so beneficial. Some say the muscles in the face are so small that increasing them is unnoticeable at best, impossible at worst. Taking this argument even further is the school of thought that says facial exercises actually cause the very wrinkles they’re trying to reduce.

So, who’s right? Laura King is a board certified dermatologist at Patient Preferred Dermatology (with locations in Los Alamitos and Lakewood, Calif.) who has been in practice for 30 years. As a leader in both clinical and cosmetic fields, surely she can solve the facial toning mystery. “I haven’t read any clinical studies to show that these work or that they do not,” she says.

And there you have it. As with any treatment and technique, you have to be the one to decide what’s best for you. Whether pricks and pressure, or cleansing and calisthenics, a natural alternative may be just what the doctor ordered.