Faces don’t age all at once. Cheeks flatten, facial folds deepen, and the jawline softens. You still look like yourself. Just a version that could use a bit more structure and light. A liquid facelift offers that structure without the commitments of facelift surgery. With measured placement of dermal fillers (and, when helpful, wrinkle relaxers), we restore facial volume, ease lines and wrinkles, and refine contours in a way that reads natural in daylight and on camera. Below, you’ll find how a liquid facelift works, who it helps, the liquid facelift procedure step by step, liquid facelift recovery, comparisons with surgical facelift options, and what to expect at our Newport Beach practice.
A liquid facelift is a non-surgical facelift approach that uses injectable dermal fillers to add support where time has removed it. Think cheek lift to take strain off nasolabial folds, small threads of filler to soften marionette lines at the mouth corners, and a bit of contouring along the chin or jaw to bring back clean edges. When dynamic wrinkles like frown lines, forehead lines, or crow’s feet are part of the picture, we often pair fillers with a neuromodulator (e.g., Botox) to calm the movement that etches those lines in.
The materials we use most often are hyaluronic acid–based gels. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that attracts water and gives tissue its bounce. Placed correctly, it can add volume without looking puffy. Good planning matters more than product.
Life in Orange County moves fast. A non-surgical procedure that offers a refreshed appearance and minimal downtime fits most calendars better than major surgery. A Newport Beach liquid facelift suits people who want a lift and smoothing without incisions, general anesthesia, or weeks off work. It’s also a useful bridge for those considering facial plastic surgery later but hoping to look more rested now.
Benefits of a liquid facelift (kept brief, as promised):
You may be a strong candidate for a liquid facelift in Newport Beach if you notice volume loss in the cheek area, early sagging skin near the jowls, or shadowing under the lower eyelids that makes you look tired. Ideal candidates want a non-surgical treatment with natural-looking results and have realistic expectations about what injectables can and cannot do. If heavy laxity dominates or you’re seeking a single, dramatic change, we’ll talk frankly about facial surgery options and timing. In some cases, pairing injectables with skin-quality work (microneedling, light peels) delivers a better overall change, especially if texture, dullness, or clogged pores are part of the story.
We’ll review your medical history, prior procedures, and current medications. Certain conditions or events can shift scheduling. For example, we’ll ask you to delay treatment if you have an active infection, major dental work this week, or a big event tomorrow.
Restoring youthful volume here eases the weight on the folds beside the nose and raises the light reflex along the cheekbone
Once the midface has support, small amounts at the fold are used to soften the shape rather than inflate it.
A touch of structure keeps the corners from tipping downward, which helps the whole lower face read more relaxed.
Thoughtful contouring gives a crisper edge and balances the profile.
When shadowing near the lower eyelids comes from midface deflation, carefully restoring support reduces tired hollows.
A neuromodulator quiets dynamic wrinkles so the skin rests and looks smoother.
We treat expression with care. You’ll still look like you. You’ll just feel refreshed when you catch your reflection.
Straight talk saves time.
We’ll be direct about these calls and, when appropriate, suggest consultation with a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgery specialist. The goal is the right tool for the job, not the most convenient one.
A traditional facelift or mini facelift repositions skin and deeper tissues through incisions, often addressing significant laxity in a single session. A non-surgical facelift changes contour with filler support and muscle relaxation, without incisions or general anesthesia. Both have a place.
Liquid facelift advantages: minimal disruption, immediate lift, reversible HA products, and the ability to tune small details of facial features with precision. Limitations: it does not remove skin, and it won’t replace the effects of a well-performed face lift on heavy laxity.
Facelift surgery advantages: addresses pronounced jowling and neck laxity in one operation. Consider this path when skin excess dominates, and fillers would be forced to chase it. If you move toward surgery, consult a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial plastic surgery. Some people also combine a facelift with eyelid surgery when the upper or lower lids need surgical refinement.
If you’re somewhere in the middle, a staged approach can make sense: injectables now for proportion and light, cosmetic surgery later for skin excess, then small touch-ups to maintain harmony.
We begin with a thorough look at proportion—front, three-quarter, and profile. We assess how your face moves when you talk and smile. We note which facial areas are holding light well and which ones are deflated. Then we outline a customized treatment plan that fits your features and timeline. You’ll see the logic for each treatment area, from the cheek area (to lift) to the mouth corners (to support) to the chin (to balance profile). We’ll talk product choices in plain language, dosing ranges, expected hold, and cost. You’ll know what we’ll treat now, what can wait, and how to maintain a more youthful appearance without overfilling.
Come with a clean face. Avoid new activities the night before. If your personal doctor says it’s safe, you may stop certain blood-thinning supplements in the days before treatment to reduce bruising. Share recent dental work or vaccine timing so we can place your visit smartly.
People often ask, “Does a liquid facelift hurt?” You’ll feel light pressure and brief pinches. Most describe the experience as very tolerable thanks to topical anesthetic and lidocaine within many fillers.
Liquid facelift recovery is usually limited to minor swelling or faint bruising for a few days. A few tips help most patients move through this easily:
Expect a visible change right away. Final refinement appears as swelling fades and the product integrates with tissue over one to two weeks. You can resume normal activities the same day, barring the brief restrictions above.
Lift in the midface and jaw contour often holds 12 to 18 months with sturdy gels. Fine-line work and lip hydration typically land between 6 and 12 months. Neuromodulator effects rest around three to four months. We’ll set a maintenance plan that preserves your shape without accumulating product. Short visits a couple of times a year usually keep a youthful appearance consistent through the natural aging process.
Common, short-lived effects include minor swelling, tenderness at the injection sites, and small bruises. We share steps to minimize these, like pausing certain supplements in advance and using cold compresses afterward. We’ll send you home with simple written guidance. Complications are rare, but we never treat them casually; our entire team is trained to recognize issues early and address them quickly.
If you’re new to injectables, we often build in phases: treat structure first, then return a week or two later for small refinements once tissue has settled. It’s a quieter way to reach natural looking results.
This pacing gives you consistent, natural improvement without spikes or sudden changes.
Your face is evaluated and treated by a physician who focuses on proportion and restraint. We build lift where it belongs, keep expression natural, and respect the way your face moves. We explain what non-surgical options can do and where plastic surgery makes more sense. Our entire team keeps visits on time and aftercare simple. The office is calm and efficient; the guidance is clear.
Ready to plan a liquid facelift Newport Beach residents trust for subtle lift and clean lines? Book a consultation. We’ll evaluate proportion, tailor a plan, and walk you through the process—from first placement to refinement—so you know exactly what to expect. You’ll leave with a clear path to a more youthful appearance that still looks like you.
Pricing depends on areas treated and the materials chosen. We map your needs, outline a plan that fits your goals, and keep follow-up simple. Many people like a “build” visit followed by two shorter refinement visits per year. That pacing maintains shape through the natural aging process without big swings.
A liquid facelift uses facial fillers and neuromodulators to lift and smooth without incisions. Facelift surgery repositions tissues surgically to correct heavier laxity. Many patients start with injectables and consider surgery when skin excess dominates.
Most people handle it well. We use topical anesthetics and, when helpful, small doses of local anesthesia. You’ll feel pressure and quick pinches. Treatment is paced so you stay comfortable.
Expect minor swelling and occasional bruising for a few days. Skip strenuous exercise for 24 hours, keep skin clean, and follow your plan. Most patients return to normal activities the same day.
Cheek lift and jawline contour often hold 12–18 months; fine-line work 6–12 months; wrinkle relaxers 3–4 months. Longevity varies with area, product, and metabolism.
If you want a non-surgical option for lift and smoothing, have mild to moderate laxity, and value natural-looking results, you likely qualify. We’ll confirm during the consultation and tailor the treatment plan to you.
Yes. We usually support the midface first, then refine folds and corners. If we add wrinkle relaxers, we place them on the same day or at a short follow-up.
Hold strenuous exercise, hot tubs, saunas, and alcohol for 24 hours. Avoid heavy pressure on the face. Keep skincare gentle to protect the barrier and reduce the risk of clogged pores while the skin settles.
We build around your bone structure and the way your face moves. That means lift without roundness in cheeks, softer folds without a “pillow,” and a jawline that looks clean, not sharp for its own sake. Your closest people will notice you look rested. Most will not know why.
Give yourself a week buffer before major events, especially if you bruise easily or if we’re improving the lip border or tear trough area. For headshots or on-camera days, schedule a check at two weeks to polish small details once everything has settled.
Fillers rebuild shape; good skin makes that shape look alive. If you deal with dullness, clogged pores, or uneven texture, we’ll outline an easy routine and smart in-office add-ons that won’t interrupt a filler plan. A clean barrier, consistent sunscreen, and calm, evidence-based products matter more than a crowded shelf.
Very deep wrinkles that remain at rest may need a two-pronged strategy: support beneath the fold plus skin-level work (microneedling, light resurfacing) on a separate day. We’ll outline options that make sense for your skin and schedule. The aim is simple: smoother skin that still looks like real skin.
Contact Bonakdar Aesthetics for Cosmetic Dermatology and Skin Care in Newport Beach, Orange County, Palm Desert CA.
Bonakdar Aesthetics is your place to age with grace and beauty. For patients in Orange County seeking a liquid facelift, turn to Dr. Monica Bonakdar — a trusted expert and one of Newport Beach’s few exclusive RHA Collection providers. Call 949-721-6000 or use the online booking system to request an appointment.
We are proud to inform you of Bonakdar Aesthetics’ Exclusive Appointment Scheduling Policy. This policy ensures that your appointments are exclusively booked for you alone, thus you will not experience long waits, nor be rushed during your appointment. A booking fee is required at the time you make your consultation or treatment appointment. This fee is refundable up until 72 hours of your appointment and is fully applied to your service that day.
20321 Irvine Avenue, Suite #F3, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
36943 Cook St. #104, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
This information from Palm Desert & Newport Beach's skin care specialist, Dr. Monica Bonakdar is not a substitute for health care or advice. You must consult with a physician regarding any health questions you may have. *Individual results may vary. Photos and reviews do not guarantee outcomes and no prediction of outcome is implied.
