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Liquid Facelift (PLLA)

What Is the Liquid Facelift (PLLA)?

The liquid facelift is a special treatment that aims to restore the lost youth and firmness to the skin, which we can think of as a kind of “collagen injection.” At the heart of this method is Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), which has been used safely in medicine for many years and is completely absorbable by the body. This substance should not be confused with classic filler materials. Its aim is not to create instant fullness by filling hollows. On the contrary, when PLLA is injected into the deep layers of the skin, it acts as a stimulant that activates the body’s own repair mechanisms.

Over time, the collagen production that gives our skin firmness and elasticity slows. The skin sags, thins, and takes on a tired expression. This is exactly where PLLA comes in. It essentially awakens the cells beneath the skin that have become lazy, sending them a signal to produce collagen again. This way, the body begins to weave a fresh and strong collagen network that is entirely its own. This process provides renewal that works from the inside out.

The results emerge not instantly but over time. Over the weeks and months after the treatment, the skin gradually firms, thickens, and its quality increases. The lifting effect on the face becomes pronounced in a very natural way. The aim is not to fill the face artificially but to repair the volume loss and sagging brought by the years through natural means by strengthening the skin’s basic structure. For this reason, the liquid facelift is an effective method for those who want to get rid of a tired expression and achieve a fitter, fresher appearance.

How Is the Liquid Facelift (PLLA) Performed?

The liquid facelift treatment is a delicate procedure planned specifically for each individual’s facial structure and needs. The process begins with a preliminary consultation in which the person’s facial anatomy, skin quality, and expectations are evaluated. As a result of this analysis, the injection points that will provide the most effective lifting effect are strategically determined.

On the treatment day, the procedure steps are quite simple and comfortable. First, the treated area is cleansed of makeup and dirt and disinfected. Then, a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the area so that no discomfort is felt during the procedure. After waiting a while for the cream to take effect, the procedure begins. The main stages of the treatment are:

  • Powdered PLLA is mixed with sterile water to make it ready for injection.
  • Injections are made into the deep layers of the skin from the determined strategic points.
  • The procedure is usually performed with cannulas that treat the tissue gently and reduce the risk of bruising.
  • Depending on the needs of the entire face, the procedure takes about 30–45 minutes.

For PLLA to fully trigger collagen production, a single session is usually not enough. To achieve the best results depending on the skin’s condition, a treatment protocol of 2 or 3 sessions, planned 4 to 6 weeks apart, is created. These sessions support the skin’s self-renewal process gradually and powerfully.

What Is the Recovery Process After the Liquid Facelift (PLLA) Like?

The process that begins after the liquid facelift treatment is at least as important to the success of the treatment as the procedure itself. As soon as you leave the procedure, you may notice slight fullness in the treated areas. This effect comes from the water used in the injection and disappears completely within a few days. This is a misleading start; the skin’s real rebuilding journey begins after this.

The most critical point after the procedure is massage. This protocol, known as the “5-5-5 Rule,” is a step that must absolutely be followed to ensure the PLLA particles are distributed evenly under the tissue and to prevent tiny clumping. This rule involves gently massaging the treated areas for 5 days, 5 times a day, for 5 minutes each time.

It takes some time for collagen production to begin and for its effects to become visible. The first positive changes usually begin to be noticed after the first month. The firming, tightening, and revitalizing effect in the skin continues to increase over the following months, and the final result shows itself at about the 6th month. You can return to daily life right after the procedure, but paying attention to a few simple points will support the healing process:

  • Applying a cold compress for slight redness or edema at the injection sites.
  • Avoiding activities such as intense exercise, saunas, and Turkish baths for a few days.
  • Not exposing the skin to direct and intense sunlight, and using a high-factor sunscreen.
  • Not consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

The results that emerge at the end of this process are quite lasting thanks to the new tissue the body produces itself, and the effect can last up to 2 years.

Facelift with Calcium Hydroxyapatite – Collagen-Stimulating Filler (Radiesse)

What Is a Facelift with Calcium Hydroxyapatite – Collagen-Stimulating Filler (Radiesse)?

As the years go by, the production of collagen — one of our skin’s most valuable supporters — slows. This leads to volume losses in the face, hollowing in the cheeks, and sagging in the jawline. Fillers containing calcium hydroxyapatite are a special treatment that comes in at this point and works with a different logic from traditional fillers. It is more accurate to think of this method not as a “filling” procedure that merely gives the skin temporary external volume but as a “stimulant” that reactivates the skin’s own self-renewal power.

At the core of this filler, also known as Radiesse, lies a two-stage effect. First, the moment it is applied, thanks to the gel formula in its content, it gives an instant volume and lifting effect to sunken areas. In other words, when you get up from the procedure, you immediately notice a more rested and firmed expression on your face. However, the real miraculous effect begins after this. Within this gel are tiny spheres (calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres) made of calcium and phosphate ions naturally found in our body. Over time, as the gel is absorbed by the body, these spheres form a kind of scaffold beneath the skin. By stimulating the fibroblasts — the skin’s main renewing cells — they trigger the body to produce its own fresh and high-quality collagen. In short, instead of giving your skin a fish, this filler teaches it to fish again. This way, the results achieved both offer an extremely natural appearance and have a much longer-lasting effect than standard fillers. It is frequently preferred for defining the cheekbones, sharpening the jawline, and softening deepened lines such as the nasolabial folds.

How Is a Facelift with Calcium Hydroxyapatite – Collagen-Stimulating Filler (Radiesse) Performed?

The process of this treatment is planned with comfort and safety as the priority from start to finish. Above all, it begins with a detailed consultation with you. At this stage, the structure of your face, your skin quality, the areas where you experience volume loss, and your expectations are carefully analyzed. A map of your face is created, and together you decide which points will be treated and in what way to achieve the most natural, aesthetic results. This personalized planning is the most important part of the procedure.

When the treatment day comes, the areas to be treated are meticulously cleaned with a special solution. Then, a strong anesthetic cream is applied to the area so that you feel no discomfort during the injection, and we wait a while for the skin to become numb. Once the skin is completely ready, your physician begins injecting the calcium hydroxyapatite filler into the planned points. Depending on the situation, this procedure is performed with a very fine-tipped needle or with special blunt-tipped instruments called cannulas that treat the tissues more gently and reduce the risk of bruising. The injection is made very precisely into the correct layers of the skin. This entire process, including preparation, is usually completed in a short time of about 30–45 minutes. When the procedure is over, you can easily see the instant firming and volume effect on your face when you look in the mirror.

What Is the Recovery Process After a Facelift with Calcium Hydroxyapatite – Collagen-Stimulating Filler (Radiesse) Like?

One of the best aspects of the treatment is that the post-procedure process passes quite comfortably. Since there is no surgical incision or suture, a long recovery period is not needed. You can return to your daily life and social activities right after the procedure. It is an expected condition for slight tenderness, redness, edema, or tiny bruises to form at the injection sites. These effects usually resolve completely on their own within a few days and are not a cause for concern.

The instant lifting effect you see right after the procedure comes from the gel structure of the filler. The real lasting and natural results show themselves as your skin begins to produce collagen — that is, after about 2–3 months. During this process, your skin firms from the inside out, revitalizes, and its quality increases. Although the longevity of the results achieved varies depending on your metabolic rate and lifestyle, it usually lasts up to 1.5 years. A few simple points to pay attention to after the procedure will both make the healing process more comfortable and increase the quality of the result.

What to pay attention to after the procedure is as follows:

  • Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours.
  • Do not massage the treated areas harshly.
  • Stay away from excessively hot environments for a few days.
  • Turkish bath
  • Sauna
  • Tanning bed
  • Avoid exposure to intense sun for one week.
  • Do not consume alcohol on the first day.

Applying an ice compress to the area can reduce edema.