07 May 2026 | by Leonard Miller, MD, FACS, FRCS
Facial aging is an inevitable component of being human. In our current “screens” lifestyle, however, it may be challenging to witness the side effects of Father Time in your photos and Zoom calls, for example. Thankfully, Boston Center for Plastic Surgery (BCPS) offers our patients a myriad of effective options for rejuvenating the face. You have probably read and/or seen many of these aesthetic procedures on your social media feed. While the internet has primarily had a positive effect on the field of plastic surgery as it allows patients to educate themselves on their procedures of interest, the information online can be misleading, at best, and false, at worst. Furthermore, there is a lot of it which can leave patients confused as to the best method for looking and feeling their best. As a Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, the face is my area of expertise. I was also an early adopter of layering non-surgical procedures in order to deliver noticeable facial rejuvenation without incisions. This leaves me singularly equipped to discuss the difference between a non-surgical facelift and a traditional facelift.
Facial Rejuvenation Consultation
There are obvious advantages to our online culture. Life is certainly easier being able to order your groceries, schedule appointments or conduct a business meeting from the comfort of your own living room. But there are certain things that are still best done in-person such as a facial rejuvenation consultation. I always encourage patients to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself and everyone on the team here at BCPS. It is one of the simplest ways to ensure that you are seeing someone who will be completely honest about what it will actually take to achieve your goals, and who has the skill, expertise and training to deliver an exemplary result. During our meeting, I will listen to what it is that bothers you about your appearance. We will discuss your medical history, family history, any prior procedures as well as how your body recovered, and your lifestyle. The latter includes:
- Skincare routine
- Diet & exercise regime
- Tolerance for downtime
- Budget
I will then conduct a comprehensive physical exam to assess your:
- Skin tone & texture
- Brown spots & hyperpigmentation
- Redness
- Prominence and degree of fine lines & wrinkles
- Sagging skin, if any
- Volume loss
- Appearance of chin/neck juncture
Together, we will discuss the best treatment plan for achieving your goals given your unique anatomy.
Non-Surgical Facelift in Boston
Just as facial aging is a human condition so is the desire to look better without surgery. As mentioned, I’ve long been a champion of the non-surgical facelift. In my Boston area practice, the term refers to a customized combination of treatments that is designed to improve your facial appearance without incisions, anesthesia or significant downtime. This treatment plan may include:
- Neuromodulators such as Botox®
- Dermal Fillers
- Lasers
- Microneedling
- Medical-Grade Skincare
The right “recipe” is going to depend on your individual anatomy, lifestyle and needs. But what we are looking to do is address all of the underlying issues that are causing your dissatisfaction. Since facial aging is always multi-factorial, it’s important to layer procedures. Botox® is ideal for softening expression lines while dermal fillers are about restoring lost volume. Skin tightening devices such as lasers, microneedling or microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) can all help to tighten mild to moderate skin laxity, improve texture issues and deliver a brighter, more youthful glow. The appropriate medical-grade skincare routine is then one of the best ways to maintain your results.
Benefits of the Traditional Facelift
While a non-surgical facelift can be a great choice for the right patient, it is typically best for someone with the early signs of aging who wants minimal downtime and gradual improvement. Non-surgical facelift results are typically subtle and temporary, lasting anywhere from a few months to a couple of years depending on the chosen treatments. A traditional, surgical facelift, on the other hand, is designed to address the deeper signs of facial aging by repositioning your underlying tissues, muscles, if necessary, and excising loose, sagging skin. It delivers a more significant and long-lasting improvement, and is better for patients with moderate to advanced facial aging who are open to a surgical intervention.
The choice between a non-surgical and surgical facelift is going to come down to your anatomy, goals and where you are in the aging process. Budget may also be a factor and it often surprises patients that the non-surgical approach is not necessarily less expensive. It is also important to keep in mind that the most natural looking outcome is often achieved with a combination of a surgical facelift and appropriate non-surgical treatments to refine and maintain your results over time.
So, in conclusion, a non-surgical facelift can be an excellent way to refresh and maintain while a surgical facelift is designed to restore and refine.
To find out more about a non-surgical facelift, surgical facelift, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Leonard Miller at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation at his Boston or Chestnut Hills offices.
