Lifting Agent Composition

Lifting agents are comprised of a naturally occurring substance in the body known as hyaluronic acid, or HA.  Found in connective tissues and cartilage, HA is not derived from animal sources, and it is compatible with the human body.

The long duration of action for lifting agents is the result of cross-linking the HA into a thicker, sturdier gel compared to most dermal fillers.  This thicker gel also necessitates placement of these lifting agents deeper into the skin than traditional fillers.

Method of Action

 When injected into the skin, lifting agents act as a cushion to support facial tissues that may have lost volume and elasticity.  They also draw water to the surface of the skin, improving skin quality and helping skin look fresh and supple.

Indications for Use

Lifting agents can be used throughout the face to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness.  It is most commonly used in the cheek, to restore volume but elevate the cheek into a more youthful position, improving the appearance of sagging tissues around the mouth, as well as thinning tissues underneath the eyes.  Lifting agents can also be used to improve jowling and the contours of the jawline.

After listening to a patient’s desired areas of improvement, a facial analysis and skin evaluation is performed.  The treatment sites are determined, and the skin is cleansed of makeup and oil.  Depending on a patient’s comfort level with injections, topical medicine or a cold pack can be applied to temporarily numb the skin, or a nerve block performed for particularly sensitive areas.

Lifting agents come in pre-filled syringes and are administered in a series of injections.  The skin is massaged to evenly distribute the lifting agent, and a cold pack applied to minimize swelling and the chance of bruising.

Lifting agents require little recovery time.  We recommend patients use a cold pack for the first twenty minutes after injections to minimize the chance of swelling or bruising.  Patients are asked not to massage their injection sites, or engage in vigorous exercise for 24 hours.

We believe in being preemptive to avoid any side effects, but occasionally the following may occur:

Localized Reactions: Patient’s may have temporary swelling, redness, or soreness at the site of injections.  These reactions typically resolve within 24 hours.

Bruising:  Bruising develops within a day, and typically resolves within a week.  Bruising from lifting agents is less likely than with traditional fillers, due to its deeper skin placement, but if bruising does occur, it can usually be covered up by makeup.

Palpability of Filler: Depending on the level of the skin that the filler is placed, patients occasionally describe feeling the filler underneath the skin.  This can be in the form of a lump, nodule, or ridge. These will resolve spontaneously with time.

Over/Under Correction: It may take several days, to a week, to see your final results.  This time is needed to allow the skin and tissues to settle, and any swelling to resolve.  More severely affected areas may need several treatment sessions to see appropriate correction.  If an area is overdone, there is a medicine that can dissolve the lifting agent, if needed.

Asymmetry: Despite best practices, asymmetry may occur after lifting agent administration, requiring additional treatments to correct

Number of Treatments: Some patients may require multiple treatments in order to reach a desired result

Duration of Results: Lifting agents can achieve impressive improvement, but results are only temporary.  Studies have shown lifting agents to maintain effects for over two years from initial treatment.  If not re-treated, the gains obtained will disappear, and the facial appearance present before treatment will return.

How long will the lifting agent last?

The lifting agent used in our practice has shown continued results for up to two years.  Its breakdown is slower than traditional fillers but follows the general rule that when placed in areas of greater motion, as around the mouth, it will be resorbed faster.

Can I have a lifting agent, filler, and wrinkle relaxer administered in the same setting?

Yes, lifting agents, fillers, and wrinkle relaxers can be safely used together and administered in the same setting.  Referred to as a “liquid facelift,” dramatic improvements with these products can be achieved in the right patient.  A liquid facelift is not a substitute for a traditional surgical facelift, but may delay the time when surgery becomes appropriate.

How is a lifting agent different from a filler?

Though comprised of a similar material, a lifting agent is a thicker, more supportive gel, that is placed deeper into the skin than a filler.  This allows lifting agents greater soft tissue repositioning, and a lower bruising risk.  Lifting agents have also shown continued aesthetic results for over two years from initial treatment, compared to the 4-6 months obtained with fillers.