The Signature Liquid Facelift is a non-surgical treatment that addresses multiple ageing-related facial changes. We use muscle relaxants, volumising products and collagen-stimulating dermal treatments to treat the face without resorting to surgery. All treatments are customised to address issues such as volume loss, contour changes and expression-related lines.
Liquid Facelift Treatment
A key ingredient to maximising the aesthetic outcome of the Liquid Facelift treatment, is ensuring that your cosmetic nurse is highly trained and skilled in performing non-surgical treatments. At Bella Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on ensuring that we go far above and beyond the industry standard when it comes to non-surgical training.
Another key element of this the Liquid Facelift treatment is a detailed consultation with you to understand your aesthetic outcomes. Working closely with you, we will recommend a treatment approach that will deliver the results you are seeking.
Finally, we offer only the highest quality treatment options to optimise aesthetic outcomes, including the longevity of your treatment.
We offer effective non-surgical treatment methods that are designed to prevent and reduce the appearance of unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. We use a range of products, one of our most popular treatments includes the use of natural purified proteins.
Facial Volumising & Contouring
We use a range of gel-like products that are injected into the skin at different depths to provide facial volume and augment facial features.
At Bella Plastic Surgery we use the highest quality products to achieve long-lasting results. These products are comprised of complex sugar molecules which are naturally occurring within your body, and which bind with water to support your skin and increase volume.
There are a range of products, that contain different consistencies which are often broken down into three main categories: –
- Thin products – designed to last 3-6 months
- Mid-range products – designed to last 9-12 months
- Semi-permanent products – designed to last 18-24 months
Lines & Wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles are primarily formed through the repetitive contraction of facial muscles. We use products that inhibit the neurotransmitters, thereby preventing the muscles from contracting which will result in a visible improvement in lines and wrinkles. For example, these products can be used to relax the muscles around the eyes to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.
Potential Risks & Complications
All cosmetic treatments carry some risk. Although most patients experience no adverse effects, side effects can occur, so you must acknowledge all potential risks and complications before proceeding with treatment.
Potential risks associated with the Liquid Facelift include bruising, swelling, vascular compromise, infection, drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis), changes in facial movement, such as an altered smile, neurological complications, including Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and, in rare cases, visual impairment or blindness.
All risks will be discussed with you by both your prescribing doctor and cosmetic nurse before every treatment.
We are firm advocates of ongoing communication, as it allows you to stay informed and make informed decisions. It also helps reduce risk and manage complications early if they arise.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Potential Risks and Complications page.
Post-Procedure Care
The following are very common side effects after treatment and should resolve with time.
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Puncture Marks
- Asymmetry
- Tenderness
- Hardness
- Tightness
- Itching
To prevent and/or help minimise any bruising after your treatment:
- Application of a cold compress to the treatment area immediately and for at least 15minutes after.
- The regular intermittent application of cold packs during the first 24-48 hours may be beneficial. A cycle to consider is 10min on and 5min off.
- Sleep with the head elevated for the first evening.
- Vigorous exercise can increase blood pressure and aggravate any bruising that is developing – therefore, exercise should be avoided for the first 24 hours.
- You should avoid extreme heat for the first 24hrs (or until bruising has resolved).
- Topical creams that may help with bruising – reduction in the development and helping in the resolution.
- Arnica cream – apply liberally to affected area 3-4x per day until resolution.
- Vitamin k cream – apply liberally to affected area 3-4x per day until resolution.
Final Results – Your final results can take 2-4 weeks. You are very likely to require further treatments, in order to achieve your desired results.
Aftercare – Please contact the clinic immediately 1300 373 662 if you experience any inflammatory reaction and/or side effect. Late onset inflammatory response may occur at least 2 months after injection. If necessary, additional treatments, medications and/or surgery may be necessary.
If out of hours, please attend your local medical centre or emergency department.
- You may return to your normal activities (including driving immediately post treatment
- Please cleanse face with water and gentle cleanser. Avoid any active ingredients.
- Avoid makeup for at least 12 hours
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure and extreme temperatures for at least 2 weeks post treatment.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or alcohol for 24 hours.
- Avoid touching or massaging the treatment area.
- Avoid facials, waxing, chemical peels, IPL, laser or any other skin treatments for at least 2 weeks after treatment.
As part of your post-treatment care plan, you will be provided with verbal and written post-treatment instructions.
Your Initial Consultation
If you’re interested in this procedure, the first step is to have a comprehensive, face-to-face consultation with one of our treating cosmetic nurses. This consultation will include a detailed facial assessment, a medical history review, a discussion of your suitability for specific cosmetic facial procedures and communication of all potential risks.
Additionally, by law, every cosmetic procedure that uses a needle also requires a consultation with a prescribing doctor. This can be conducted via telehealth. During this consultation, your doctor will:
- Review the proposed treatment plan
- Confirm medical suitability
- Discuss potential risks
- Outline risk reduction strategies
- Explain management pathways if an adverse event occurs.
This process ensures informed consent while allowing you to ask questions before treatment.
The Treatment Approach
Facial Volumising & Muscle Relaxation
A Signature Liquid Facelift combines muscle-relaxing and volumising treatments to address contour changes, volume loss and expression-related changes. The type of product used will depend on your individual anatomy, skin quality and overall facial balance.
Volumising products: These are gel-based products made of naturally occurring sugar molecules that attract and bind water. They are placed at precise points to help restore volume, define contours and support facial structure.
There is a variety of volumising products available, and the type selected for your face will depend on the area being treated, the degree of volume loss and skin thickness.
Some products also last longer than others. For example:
- Lightweight products last approximately 3 to 6 months
- Mid-density products last approximately 9 to 12 months
- Semi-permanent volumising products last approximately 18 to 24 months
Muscle relaxant products: These are used to reduce excessive muscle activity in various parts of the face. By limiting repetitive contractions, the skin overlying the muscle can rest, reducing the appearance of expression lines and preventing further reinforcement while the product remains active.
Addressing Skin Health
As addressing the entire face holistically is vital, we also include treatments and products that help support skin quality and production.
Medical-grade skincare
We may recommend medical-grade skincare to help deliver vital nutrients, such as antioxidants and amino acids, into the skin. These formulations also support hydration and help support skin quality and resilience.
Skin boosters
Skin boosters are products designed to support skin elasticity, texture, hydration and overall appearance. There is a range of different skin boosters available, such as Rejuran.
Rejuran contains polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA. It promotes collagen production, supports tissue repair and supports skin quality. It can also help reduce pigmentation in some cases. We often use Rejuran on various parts of the face to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Rejuran with skin needling
For best results, we often combine Rejuran with skin needling. Skin needling produces controlled micro-injuries that trigger the skin’s natural healing process. When we apply Rejuran during this process, it can help enhance treatment outcomes. Typically, a series of at least three sessions spaced about a month apart is recommended.
Light-based therapies
We often use light-based therapies in combination with other treatment modalities to help optimise results. Light-based therapies can stimulate new cell activity within the skin and support regenerative processes. In turn, they help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, trauma or surgical scarring, enlarged pores, and refine skin texture, while supporting tone and overall skin quality.
These light-based therapies include Low-Level Laser Therapy, LED Therapy, and Ablative Erbium Laser Treatment. We typically suggest suitable treatments as part of your tailored treatment plan.
Heavy Eyelids & Brows
Muscle-relaxant treatment: The muscles around your eyes contract inwardly and can often influence brow position and the appearance of heavy eyelids. When we carefully apply a muscle relaxant to these muscles, their activity can be reduced, allowing the brows to elevate and the eyes to appear more open.
We can also use muscle relaxants when addressing lines around the eyes, including those on the sides and under the eyes. By minimising repetitive muscle actions, the skin can rest, which may help to minimise the appearance of these lines over time.
When treating this area, we carefully assess the surrounding muscles, particularly the forehead muscle, which contributes to the position of the brow and eyelids. We meticulously plan product placement and dosage to help open the eyes and lift the brows, while maintaining sufficient muscle function to avoid heaviness.
Volumising treatments: Our team sometimes consider using volumising treatments when there is hollowing under the eyes. By delicately placing the product in this area, we aim to minimise the appearance of a tired and sunken-looking under-eye area. This approach can also soften the transition between the under-eye area and the upper cheek.
Product Placement
Every individual is unique and, therefore, requires a personalised plan. The amount of product required varies depending on a person’s anatomy and the area being treated.
Volumising treatment is performed in stages. We first carefully place small amounts of product, then give it time to settle before reviewing the area. We only place additional product if required. This way, areas of the face can be built gradually, reducing the risk of overcorrection.
There is a chance the volumising product may move after placement or as swelling resolves. When this occurs, it is usually noticed within a few days to a week after treatment. Contributing factors include tissue planes, natural tissue pathways, injection technique, existing scar tissue from previous treatments and individual anatomy. Your cosmetic nurse will consider these factors thoroughly when creating a treatment plan.
Dissolving Volumising Product
Sometimes, a patient who has had facial volumising treatments with another practitioner may want or need to have their existing product dissolved. Dissolving reduces the likelihood that the new product will contribute to distortion. It can also be used to return to the neutral baseline before recreating volume more appropriately.
Changes after dissolving are usually observed within 24 to 72 hours. However, we may need to perform additional dissolving sessions, depending on the volume and placement of the existing product.
Dissolving Forearm Prick Test
If a patient has never been exposed to a dissolving agent, we may need to test their response to the product to check for allergic reactions. To do so, we’ll place a small amount in the forearm before treatment. We then observe the area to check for any abnormal response.
Comfort During the Procedure
We want to ensure that you remain comfortable during your procedure, and we do this in several ways.
- 30 to 60 minutes before your procedure, we’ll apply a local anaesthetic to the treatment area to give it time to take full effect.
- We may also cool the area with ice packs to support comfort and reduce swelling or bruising.
- Additionally, most volumising products contain local anaesthetic, providing additional comfort during treatment.
Throughout your procedure, your nurse will check on you to ensure you remain comfortable, and each step of the treatment will be explained to you as it progresses.
Recovery
IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT: The area is often swollen, tender, red or bruised, and these sensations can increase throughout the rest of the day and evening.
DAY 2: Swelling and bruising may be more evident after lying down all night.
DAY 3 – 4: Swelling will start to reduce, and bruising will slowly fade.
DAY 7: Most of the treated area would have settled. However, some areas may remain swollen or bruised. This variation is expected.
Your Follow-Up Appointment
After your treatment, we’ll give you a full treatment record. This outlines the products we have used and areas treated. You’ll also receive post-treatment care instructions.
We may ask you to send us clear images of the treated area within a specific timeframe to monitor your recovery. This way, we can assess all swelling and bruising and ensure that your treatment response is within expected parameters. Please send these images to our clinic via email.
We’ll provide you with after-hours contact details so that you can always access support if required.
