Cinderella facelift is marketed as a type of non-surgical facelift that can reverse the different signs of ageing.
Rather than being a standard treatment, it’s actually a combination of other non-surgical or minimally-invasive treatments that can “instantly” lift the face.
So, depending on the clinic, the treatments offered under a Cinderella facelift can vary. Regardless, it has garnered a lot of attention, especially after ex-EastEnders Rita Simons got this treatment.
While this treatment can give you good results (depending on certain factors), it’s not exactly an alternative to the traditional facelift. In this guide, you’ll find out what a Cinderella facelift is and whether or not it’s right for you.
What Is A Cinderella Facelift?
A Cinderella facelift is a skin-lifting procedure that can create a more youthful look.
Its goal is to smooth out the wrinkles and fine lines on the face and also reduce skin sagging. For that, different cosmetic clinics can use any of the following:
- Sutures
- Dermal fillers
- Botox
- Microneedling
- Radiofrequency therapy (with electromagnetic stimulation)
You can expect it to be a combination of treatments like some clinics offer radiofrequency (RF) therapy together with fillers.
However, it’s the combination of dissolvable threads, Botox and fillers that’s more popularly referred to as the Cinderella facelift in popular media these days.
This one, in particular, aims to lift sagging skin (especially jowls) and get rid of wrinkles on the face to improve the overall appearance.
Since the combined effect of sutures and fillers can be seen almost instantly (Botox can take 1-3 days), you’ll immediately notice a difference.
With others, however, depending on the treatment, you might have to wait for days or 6 months to see the final results.
How Much Is A Cinderella Facelift?
In the UK, you can get a Cinderella facelift for anywhere from £1,500 to £3,500. But keep in mind that the total price will depend on the type of treatments included in your plan.
Moreover, prices can vary depending on the experience of your aesthetician and the location of their clinic.
What’s The Procedure For Cinderella Facelift?
If you’re getting threads for your Cinderella facelift, your doctor will begin by administering local anaesthesia. That way, you won’t feel pain during the procedure.
Still, in an interview with Mirror, one of the people who had a Cinderella facelift with dissolvable sutures reported that she felt “tugging” during the procedure.
It’s the nature of this procedure since threads with barbs are inserted and pulled to lift the skin. It’s minimally invasive so, you’ll practically have no scars showing on your face.
And in combination treatments, depending on the patient, your surgeon may do the Botox and fillers in a separate treatment session to layer everything well. It may be done before or after your thread lifting.
In any case, these procedures shouldn’t take longer than an hour.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cinderella Facelift?
Since a Cinderella facelift is non-surgical, the side effects are likely to be less aggressive.
Depending on the treatment, however, you might experience:
- Swelling
- Soreness
- Redness
- Bruising
These side effects should subside after a few days. But sometimes, you can develop complications.
For instance, with thread lifts, your thread can start to show underneath the skin, or it can even poke out. Infection is another risk as well.
No matter what treatment you’re undergoing, make sure to discuss its potential side effects and complications with your aesthetician in advance.
How Long Will The Results Of Cinderella Facelift Last?
Cinderella facelift that included absorbable sutures, dermal fillers and Botox is claimed to last for up to 2 years.
“Up to” is the key term here. Face thread lifts can last for 1 to 3 years, filler for 6 months to 2 years, and Botox for 6 months.
But this timeline can vary depending on the treatment. If you’re getting microneedling, for instance, your results may not last longer than 6 months.
On the other hand, if you’re having treatment with radiofrequency or ultrasound, their results may also last for 1 or 2 years.
Is Cinderella Facelift Better Than Traditional Facelift?
Cinderella facelift won’t be suitable for you if you have even moderate to severe skin laxity. It’s, after all, a non-surgical treatment, so it can’t get rid of the excess skin, unlike a traditional facelift.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, thread lifts “only lift the face by a few millimeters.” Even though these can stimulate the production of collagen, you can’t expect dramatic results from them.
Another drawback of the Cinderella facelift is that its results are temporary. To sustain the results of these treatments, you’ll have to keep getting them every year or so. And that can be especially difficult when they’re already quite expensive.
In contrast, a surgical facelift costs around £6,000 in the UK. Although you can get a surgical facelift in Turkey at the price of a Cinderella facelift in UK. Because of currency exchange and cost of living, high-quality private healthcare is much cheaper there.
Keeping these things in mind, along with your aesthetic goals, make sure to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon about the treatment that will best meet your needs.
Cinderella Facelift vs Traditional Facelift: Summary
We’ve summarised the ways in which these procedures differ from each other:
| Cinderella Facelift | Traditional Facelift | |
| Procedure | To lift the skin and get rid of wrinkles with absorbable sutures, Botox, fillers, microneedling, radiotherapy and other non-surgical treatments | To lift the skin and get rid of wrinkles and fine lines by cutting out excess skin, tightening muscles and removing excess fat |
| Suitable Candidates | Mild skin laxity and sagging | Moderate to severe skin laxity and sagging |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia or numbing cream | General anaesthesia |
| Surgery Time | 1 hour | 2-3 hours |
| Number of Treatment Sessions | Multiple (ongoing after 1 to 2 years) | Usually one (but can be more depending on when you have surgery, your skin quality, etc.) |
| Longevity of Results | A few months to 2 years | 10 years or even longer (depending on how well you take care of your skin) |
| Cost | £1,500-£3,500 in the UK | £6,000 in the UK (around £2,250 in Turkey) |
Conclusion
Cinderella facelift has its plus points. It’s almost non-invasive, requires zero downtime, and can give you instant results.
However, it isn’t an exact alternative to a traditional facelift. It’s probably best suited for those who’re in their 30s and 40s with mild skin sagging. In that case, these treatments can help lift the skin temporarily.
But depending on the condition of your skin and aesthetic goals, you might be able to get more satisfactory results with a surgical facelift. Although, for this, you should consult a medical professional.
Reviewed and approved by Prof Dr Fuat Yuksel
