Everyone starts noticing facial changes as they age. For me, it was turning 50. For some, it is turning 30. Gradually, all faces change shape over time because of changes in the facial anatomy.

The face, shaped like an inverted triangle at 20, loses fat, muscle and collagen. Fat pads immediately under the skin, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle at age 20, begin to look like they have been stuck in a dryer and shrunk. Muscles become thinner and even cheek and jawbones lose diameter. Skin loses collagen and eventually becomes paper thin because of collagen loss. All of this leads to gradual sagging and drooping of the skin to form lines and jowls.

One solution to sagging skin is a facelift, but that can be costly, time consuming and unnatural looking. It can also mean waiting until you really need it. What we call the “liquid face lift” allows for volume replacement gradually to match your age – a syringe or vial at 30 or 40 to maintain your youthful look, or several syringes if you are 50 or older.

The two most common products used for large-scale volume replacement are Sculptra and Juvéderm Voluma. Both have their own niche and each can be injected in an afternoon in a physician’s office with minimal downtime and maximum results.

Made from poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra is not an overnight miracle. It generally involves one to three injection sessions over a period of two to four months. This product gradually stimulates your own collagen to grow, creating a natural look that restores volume subtly over time. Results are long-lasting.

The in-office session begins with the application of topical anesthetic and then the product is injected deeply into the subcutaneous tissues of the temples and mid-face with minimal discomfort. Side effects are few, the most common being temporary bruising. Other side effects can include redness, swelling and rarely small “bumps” that eventually resolve.

Results may vary but are longlasting. After my first three vials of Sculptra, I did not need any additional volume for about three years. And, because it takes time to grow your collagen, it gives a very natural look with no sudden change. So if you are 35, one vial may maintain your youthful look, but if you are older, additional volume may be needed.

Juvéderm Voluma is one in a line of products made from hyaluronic acid that can do many of the same things as Sculptra but with immediate results. It is one of three Juvéderm products that are added to the central face to restore volume naturally. By injecting small amounts just over the cheek bones and into the lateral face an immediate “lift” occurs, instantly decreasing smile lines and jowls. This is a great product to use the month before your 25th year class reunion, again amounts can be adjusted for any age.

While not quite as long lasting as the results from Sculptra, it provides the support structure to sagging skin.

For finishing touches, volume can be added to smile-lines, lips, down-turned edges of the month with thinner fillers. By treating with Sculptra or Juvéderm Voluma, a smaller amount of the thinner fillers are needed.

Neurotoxins (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) then provide muscle relaxation of the lines of expression in the forehead, around the eyes, and on the neck (turkey neck) to complete the picture.

So consider lifting your face with liquid Sculptra or Juvéderm Voluma. It’s quicker and cheaper than surgery. (I think it’s about time for my next injection also). And to assure excellent results, always make sure your injections are done by a boardcertified dermatologist.