What helps with facial laxity?

It depends on the cause. If the skin has lost collagen, biostimulators such as Sculptra®, Radiesse® or HArmonyCa® help. If it has lost support, hyaluronic acid in the cheekbones, jaw or chin. If the skin has descended, HIFU Liftera® 2 or APTOS® thread lifts. The best result almost always combines several techniques, which are defined during the assessment.

Because over the years the cheek fat decreases and descends, the underlying bone loses volume and the ligaments that hold it relax. As that support is lost, the midface looks flatter and the nasolabial folds become more pronounced. That's why restoring support to the cheekbone is usually the first step.

Do facial exercises help with laxity?

The evidence is limited. They may help the tone of some muscles, but they don't replace the collagen, fat or bone lost over the years, which are the main causes of laxity. Good sunscreen, not smoking and caring for your skin do help prevent it.

Does a non-surgical facelift replace a surgical facelift?

No. It is an alternative for mild to moderate facial laxity or for those who prefer a progressive path. When the skin has descended significantly, surgery achieves results that no non-surgical treatment can. If the assessment shows that's your case, we tell you honestly.

It is a focused ultrasound that concentrates energy in deep layers of the skin, including the superficial muscular layer (SMAS), to stimulate collagen and improve firmness without incisions or needles. At the practice we use HIFU Liftera® 2. Its changes build over 2 to 3 months and it is usually repeated once a year.

What's the difference between thread lifts and HIFU?

APTOS® absorbable threads provide support from the moment they are placed and stimulate collagen as they are absorbed. HIFU tightens from deep layers without needles and its effect builds over 2 to 3 months. They don't compete: they are often combined, depending on the degree of laxity and the area.

When are results visible and how long do they last?

Changes are progressive: the result becomes visible between 2 and 3 months, as new collagen forms. Duration depends on the technique and your skin. As a reference, HIFU is usually repeated once a year and biostimulators roughly every two years.

Which brands are used for facial laxity?

At the practice we use HIFU Liftera® 2; biostimulators such as Sculptra®, Radiesse®, HArmonyCa® and Juvelook®; Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Stylage® and Croma® hyaluronic acid; APTOS® thread lifts; and Alma Hybrid™ CO2 laser. All injectable products are INVIMA-registered.

How much does facial laxity treatment cost in Medellín?

It depends on the plan and the techniques your face really needs. That's why the cost is defined during the assessment in El Poblado, so you don't pay for something that won't help you. Message us ASSESSMENT and we'll guide you.

Facial laxity & non-surgical facelift in Medellín

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Non-surgical treatment for facial laxity in Medellín: what can and can't be improved

Facial laxity doesn't appear overnight: the skin loses collagen, the cheekbones lose support and the jawline becomes less defined, and during menopause everything speeds up. Without surgery, firmness and support can be improved with HIFU Liftera® 2, collagen biostimulators such as Sculptra®, Radiesse® or HArmonyCa®, hyaluronic acid and thread lifts, combined according to the cause. It's what many people look for as a "non-surgical facelift."

At her practice in El Poblado, Dr. Olga Gómez Montoya, physician and surgeon from the University of Antioquia, assesses where the loss of firmness began and tells you honestly what can and can't be achieved without surgery. The goal is for you to look fresh and rested, without changing your features.

Reviewed by Dr. Olga Gómez Montoya · Updated: October 2026

HIFU Liftera® 2 · INVIMA-registered biostimulators · No surgery

What causes facial laxity and how is it treated without surgery?

Facial laxity almost never has a single cause. Over the years, several come together:

Less collagen and elastin: the skin becomes thinner and less elastic.

Loss of support: facial bone is resorbed and the fat in the cheeks decreases and descends. That's why sagging cheeks appear and folds become more pronounced.

Looser ligaments: they hold the tissues less firmly, and the jawline loses definition.

Menopause: the drop in estrogen accelerates collagen loss.

Sun, smoking, genetics and rapid weight loss, for example with medications such as Ozempic® (Ozempic face).

Depending on the cause, we combine:

High-intensity focused ultrasound, HIFU (Liftera® 2): stimulates collagen in deep layers, including the superficial muscular layer (SMAS), to improve firmness of the jawline, double chin area and neck, without needles.

Collagen biostimulators (Sculptra®, Radiesse®, HArmonyCa® or Juvelook®): help your skin produce its own collagen. Read more about biostimulators.

Hyaluronic acid (Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Stylage® or Croma®): restores support in the cheekbones, jaw or chin, which, when projected, help hold up the rest of the face.

Absorbable thread lifts (APTOS®): provide support and stimulate collagen as they are absorbed.

Complements: Alma Hybrid™ CO2 laser for thin or "crepe-paper" textured skin, and botulinum toxin in the neck (Nefertiti lift) to relax the bands that pull the jawline downward.

Facial firmness

Progressively improves skin firmness and support by combining HIFU Liftera® 2, which works in deep layers, with biostimulators such as Sculptra® or Radiesse®, which stimulate your own collagen.

Sagging cheeks and midface

With age, menopause or weight loss, the cheekbones lose volume and support, and the face looks more tired. This is addressed with hyaluronic acid (Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Stylage® or Croma®) and biostimulators such as Sculptra® or HArmonyCa®, without overcorrecting.

Jawline contour

Improves definition of the jawline and the transition to the neck with HIFU, APTOS® thread lifts or firm hyaluronic acid. If neck bands pull the jawline downward, botulinum toxin is added (Nefertiti lift).

Nasolabial folds and marionette lines

They are softened by first treating the support of the cheekbones and jaw, which is where they originate, and then the line itself. Learn more about nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

Double chin from laxity

When a double chin is due to laxity, HIFU Liftera® 2 and biostimulators help firm the area under the chin. If it is due to submental fat, the treatment is different: read about non-surgical double chin treatment.

Skin quality

Stimulates collagen for denser, more elastic skin with better texture using diluted Radiesse®, hyaluronic acid skinboosters or Alma Hybrid™ CO2 laser, especially for thin or "crepe-paper" skin.

What can and can't be achieved without surgery?

What's possible: improving skin firmness and quality, restoring support to the cheekbones and jaw, softening folds and better defining the jawline, progressively and naturally.

What's not possible: achieving the result of surgery when the skin has descended significantly, seeing the final result the same day, or stopping the passage of time. Treatment accompanies the process; it doesn't erase it.

Non-surgical or surgical facelift?

It depends on the degree of laxity. A non-surgical approach is a good option when laxity is mild or moderate, with no downtime and without changing your features. When it is marked, a surgical facelift may be the better option, and Dr. Olga Gómez Montoya will tell you so honestly. During menopause, starting early helps accompany the passage of time before laxity progresses.

"True aesthetic changes aren't seen; they're felt. In the naturalness of the result." — Dr. Olga Gómez Montoya