COVID-19 UPDATE: As of May 11, 2020, we have re-opened our office to regular in-person appointments. We are operating at a lower-than-normal capacity in order to respect social distancing advisories and best protect the health of our patients. We are still offering telemedicine as an option. For more information please call us at (314) 996-8800.

InstaLift®

Address Mid-Face Sagging and Lift Your Cheeks without Surgery in the St. Louis Area

Many people notice signs of aging in the mid-face area, where naturally rounded cheeks gradually give way to flattened patches—or even hollows. Not only can this make the mid-face appear gaunt, but the loss of volume can also cause tissues to sag and form jowls at the jawline. While a facelift can address these changes, there is an effective non-surgical solution in InstaLift®. St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons offers this option for women and men who want more youthful contours, but who are not ready for surgery.

Want to discover more about how a minimally invasive treatment can transform your face? Schedule a consultation for InstaLift® with St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons by calling (314) 996-8800 or requesting a consultation.

What is InstaLift®?

Technically known as a "micro-suspension" treatment, InstaLift® is the name for studded sutures designed to be injected beneath the skin. This technique allows the provider to elevate the sagging tissues and hold them in place without removing excess skin. The result is a rejuvenated look with minimal recovery required.

How Does InstaLift® Work?

InstaLift® sutures are made of vicryl (an absorbable material commonly used in sutures) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA, which stimulates renewed collagen production). These two components work together, with the vicryl serving as a structural element to physically hold facial tissues in an elevated position, and the PLLA encouraging the skin to build collagen on the synthetic framework. Even as the body absorbs the vicryl, the remaining collagen will continue to serve as scaffolding in the skin to keep the mid-face rounded and elevated.

Instalift before & after

Each InstaLift® suture features small cones that serve as anchor points along its length. As a result, the sutures hold fast in the deep layers where they are inserted, instead of allowing tissues to gradually slide along a smooth surface.

What Happens After an InstaLift® Session?

Since no post-surgical recovery time is needed, patients who choose InstaLift® can quickly return to daily activities. Some side effects to expect include a few days of swelling, redness, and bruising.

The newly lifted contours will be apparent right away, with continued improvements for months after an injection session. The more youthful contours can last a year to a year and a half. Newly formed collagen will gradually break down, allowing the mid-face to thin and sag again. Talk to us about ongoing maintenance to keep cheeks full and preserve a defined jawline with InstaLift®.

Are There Other Facial Contouring Options?

The dermal filler Juvederm Voluma® is an injectable gel that uses hyaluronic acid to add volume and fill out mid-face hollows. This can also provide some lift to reduce the severity of jowls. Sagging below the chin and on the neck can also be treated with Ultherapy®, which uses ultrasound energy to tighten lax tissues. The result is a more defined profile.

Patients who want a longer-lasting, more dramatic effect can choose a surgical lift or facial implants.

A sort of "middle ground" is fat grafting, which involves collecting fat cells from a suitable donor area on the body, then processing and transferring them to where they are needed for added volume. Injecting these fat cells into the mid-face area can provide natural volume and a rejuvenated look.

Book a consultation for InstaLift® at St. Louis’ West Country Plastic Surgeons today by calling (314) 996-8800 or sending a message online.


If you have questions or would like to book a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgery, please call (314) 996-8800.

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