The Y LIFT®
This revolutionary, minimally-invasive facial contouring technique is based on a “structural volumizing” philosophy. As we age, volume and structure are gradually lost and absorbed by our bodies. The Y LIFT® replenishes lost volume and restores youthful facial contours.
The uniqueness of the Y LIFT® is that it not only revives your ideal youthful shape, but also enhances and beautifies natural features, making the procedure suitable for all ages. It accentuates the cheekbone region, revives the under-eye area, and defines the jawline and upper neck instantly. It requires no incisions, stitches or general anesthesia.
The Concept
The Y LIFT® is a specialized technique that has been developed as a way to strategically and precisely correct the effects of aging. Beauty, as you may know, has always been a matter of proportion. The youthful face is characterized by a Y shape, with more width existing in the upper two-thirds of the face. The cheeks are more pronounced and the brow bone round and high, like the arms of a Y. The lower third of the face ends with the stem of the Y marking the chin.
With age, fatty deposits degrade and fall from the upper areas of the face to the lower, effectively inverting the Y that gave the face a more youthful appearance. In some instances, natural facial structure neglects to follow this rule of proportions. In either situation, theY LIFT® may be an outstanding method of facial enhancement.
The Procedure
Depending on the extent of contouring, a Y LIFT® may take as little as a few minutes or up to about an hour to complete. After cleansing the skin and observing the areas that will be treated, a special instrument is used to “map” facial topography. This step guides the placement of filler product for the most aesthetically pleasing results.
To make the Y LIFT® as comfortable as possible, treatment begins with a few injections of lidocaine, which along with the depth of insertion, make the procedure virtually pain-free. A special surgical-grade titanium instrument is then inserted to a precise depth below muscle tissue, just above the boney structure. Dermal filler is inserted and then sculpted by hand to achieve the desired contouring. Each targeted area is treated in the same manner, with Dr. Cheung observing results as they occur in real time.
In addition to restructuring contours with deep insertion of dermal filler, we may also address superficial concerns such as nasolabial folds at the conclusion of the Y LIFT®.
The Y LIFT® is an outstanding non-surgical option for facial restructuring that results in up to two years of rejuvenation. This procedure does not require anesthesia, and it goes beyond the lifting and tightening of the skin. Where the Y LIFT® stands out is in its ability to add volume and contouring where needed.
Results and Recovery
The results of a Y LIFT® treatment are immediately visible, even if minor swelling occurs due to the injecting instrument. Patients may be advised to sleep on their back for a few nights and to avoid touching their face. Strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting, should be avoided for a few weeks. A followup visit for further contouring massage may be scheduled for the day after the Y LIFT®.
There is absolutely zero downtime after a Y LIFT®. Injections are given with a tiny cannula, or hollow needle, which could lead to mild bruising or redness. However, these common side effects generally last such a short time that most patients can go right back to work if they so choose.