Redefining Your Timeless Beauty
Changes in volume and structure across the face and neck all affect each other, which is why looking at the full picture matters when it comes to facial rejuvenation. We keep this in mind with every treatment we provide at Perfect Skin Center in Tempe and Scottsdale, and it is especially important for the Y Lift treatment. The Y Lift focuses on those areas that most impact a youthful appearance. Special techniques are used to lift these areas and address different signs of aging.
What Is the Y Lift?
The Y Lift is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment that uses dermal fillers to restore volume and lift across the face and neck. It gets its name from the idea that youthful facial contours naturally follow the shape of the letter “Y,” with one Y spanning the cheekbone and eye area and another following the jawline down to the chin. As we age, the underlying structures of the face lose volume, and these contours begin to collapse inward. This treatment is often used for patients who want a lift in this area but don’t want traditional facelift surgery.
How Does the Y Lift Work?
During this treatment, Dr. Richard Burgmeier uses a method created by Dr. Yan Trokel called “Structural Volumizing”, where he places volume beneath the skin and muscle rather than on the surface of the skin. He makes a pocket using a blunt cannula and then fills this pocket with hyaluronic acid filler that keeps the muscle in a lifted position and mimics bone. Because the filler is held in place by the muscle itself, the lift is more pronounced, and the effects last longer.
What Does the Y Lift Treat?
Loss of Cheek Volume
The cheekbones are one of the first areas to show signs of aging as the bone and fat pads beneath the skin gradually shrink. As the face loses volume, the skin can start to droop downward and the cheeks may look more hollow. The Y Lift places dermal filler deep along the cheekbone to restore projection and lift the surrounding soft tissue back into place.
Jowling and Lower Face Sagging
Jowls form when the soft tissue along the lower face loses its structural support and begins to hang below the jawline. This is largely driven by volume loss in the bone and deeper facial tissues rather than just gravity. By rebuilding volume along the jawline and lower facial pillars, the Y Lift can redefine the jawline.
Hollow Temples
The temples are an area that many people don’t think about, but they are important for the overall shape of the face. Hollow temples draw more attention to the brow and forehead. The temples are part of the upper “Y” shape that the Y Lift focuses on.
Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds are the creases that form between the inner cheeks and the upper mouth, becoming more noticeable with mid-face volume loss. Instead of filling the folds directly on the surface of the skin, the Y Lift supports the underlying structures in the area to lift and smooth the lines.
What Are the Benefits of the Y Lift?
- No Surgery: The Y Lift uses a blunt titanium cannula rather than a scalpel, meaning there are no cuts or stitches involved. There is no general anesthesia, and the process takes less than an hour.
- Immediate, Visible Results: You’ll notice a difference in the shape and contour of your face right after treatment. Some swelling is normal as the filler settles.
- Minimal Downtime: You can expect to get back to your schedule quickly. We use techniques and tools, like the blunt-tipped cannula, that help to reduce bruising.
- Long-Lasting Results: Results from the Y Lift can last longer than traditional filler techniques because of the depth of injection. The muscle tissue also helps hold the filler in position, which supports its longevity.
- Natural-Looking Lift: Because the filler is placed along the deeper structural layers of the face, it lifts and supports tissue from underneath. The focus is also more on lifting and re-defining rather than overfilling and changing the shape of the face.
- Customizable to Your Anatomy: No two faces age the same way, so every Y Lift treatment is mapped out based on your individual facial structure and areas of concern. We assess where volume has been lost and where support is needed most, then adjust filler placement and amounts accordingly.
Common Products Used in the Y Lift
The Y Lift uses FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers. Two of the most widely used filler families for this treatment are JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®.
JUVÉDERM
The JUVÉDERM family is a collection of hyaluronic acid fillers made by Allergan, each made with a different consistency for specific areas of the face. For the Y Lift, thicker formulations like JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® are often preferred because they provide the firm support needed to lift and hold tissue.
Restylane
The Restylane family is produced by Galderma and offers its own range of hyaluronic acid fillers with varying levels of firmness and flexibility. Products like Restylane Lyft are suitable for the Y Lift because of their firmer texture.
Before and After Y Lift
Am I a Good Candidate for the Y Lift?
The Y Lift is suitable for a wide range of patients, both male and female, ages 20 and up.
You may be a great candidate if you:
- You are in good health with no conditions that affect healing
- You have mild to advanced volume loss in the face and neck
- You prefer a nonsurgical approach and want to avoid general anesthesia
- You have not had recent facial surgery or active treatments in the areas involved
- You understand what nonsurgical treatments can and cannot do
You may not be a candidate if you:
- You have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- You are pregnant or nursing
- You have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid or any components of the fillers used
- You have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications that cannot be paused
- You are looking for results that only surgery can provide, such as significant skin removal
We always recommend scheduling a consultation with us at Perfect Skin Center so we can see what treatments are right for you.
Before Your Y Lift
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, turmeric, St. John’s Wort and vitamin E for at least a week before your appointment. Always check with your prescribing doctor before stopping any medications.
- Hold off on alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours before your treatment.
- Come to your appointment with a clean face. Don’t put on makeup or skincare products.
- Let us know about any recent dental work, facial treatments or changes to your health since your consultation.
- If you tend to get cold sores, mention this ahead of time.
- Eat a light meal and stay hydrated before you come in.
During Your Y Lift
We begin the treatment with a local anesthetic to numb the entire treatment area. Once the area is prepped, we use a blunt titanium cannula that can reach deep under the skin. Because of the numbing, you will not feel discomfort as we insert it and create the pocket between the soft and hard tissue. We lift the tissue upward so that once we insert the filler, it is supported in a more lifted position. Then, using the same cannula, we place the hyaluronic acid filler in the pocket, next to the bone and muscle. The underlying structures and filler support each other and give you a lifting effect right away.
Post-Treatment Care and Y Lift Recovery
- Some swelling and bruising are normal and typically resolve within five to seven days
- For the first 24 hours, avoid pressing or massaging the treated zones
- Avoid strenuous activity for 24–48 hours post-treatment to reduce swelling and bruising
- Avoid heat exposure such as saunas, hot yoga, steam rooms, and direct sun for 48 hours
- Do not schedule facials, microneedling, lasers or other facial procedures for at least two weeks
- Final results are visible once swelling subsides, typically within one to two weeks
Why Choose Perfect Skin Center for Your Y Lift?
Trained by Dr. Yan Trokel
Dr. Burgmeier received his Y Lift training directly from Dr. Yan Trokel, the creator of the technique. Learning from the developer of the treatment itself gives him a deep understanding of the methodology behind Structural Volumizing and how to apply it.
Certified Y Lift Provider
As a certified Y Lift provider, Dr. Burgmeier has met the specific standards set by Y LIFT, LLC to perform this treatment. This certification means he has shown proficiency in the technique and follows all of the protocols established by Dr. Trokel.
Trainer for Allergan and Galderma
Dr. Burgmeier is a speaker and trainer for both Allergan and Galderma, the two companies behind the JUVÉDERM and Restylane filler families. He also mentors other physicians across the country on injection techniques and shares his knowledge of how these products perform in all different situations and treatments. He applies this knowledge to every Y Lift treatment he performs.
FAQs About the Y Lift
How is the Y Lift different from a surgical facelift?
The Y Lift achieves lift and volume restoration using dermal fillers rather than incisions or tissue removal. There are no incisions or stitches, and no general anesthesia or long recovery. Some patients with more advanced sagging and loose skin may be better candidates for surgery, while others can get good results from a Y Lift.
How soon will I see my Y Lift results?
Results are visible right away. You’ll notice improved lift and definition as soon as the treatment is finished, though mild swelling may be present for the first few days. Once that settles, you’ll get a clearer picture of your final results.
How many Y Lift treatments do I need?
Most patients see the results they want in a single session. Because the Y Lift addresses multiple areas of the face and neck at once, repeat visits are typically not needed for several years. If, after this time, you notice a return of sagging and volume loss, the treatment can be repeated.
How long do Y Lift results last?
Results from the Y Lift can typically last between two and four years.
How much does a Y Lift cost?
The cost of a Y Lift varies depending on the areas being treated and the amount of filler used. We recommend scheduling a consultation at Perfect Skin Center so we can give you an accurate estimate.
Can I combine a Y Lift with other treatments?
Sometimes we may suggest combining a Y Lift with other wrinkle treatments, such as Laser Genesis, to target sun damage and fine lines, or Morpheus8 to tighten the skin. The treatments we recommend will be based on your concerns, medical history, skin type, and other factors. Sometimes treatments can be scheduled on the same day; at other times, they may need to be spread out.
About Us
At Perfect Skin Center, we focus on minimally invasive treatments that work to restore youthful features. We believe that replenishing lost volume and improving skin quality can create results that look more natural than traditional approaches. With locations in Tempe and Scottsdale, we combine advanced treatment options with a hands-on approach to help each patient feel good about the way they look.
Contact Perfect Skin Center to Learn More About the Y Lift
The Y Lift can address volume loss, sagging and lack of definition across the face and neck in a single session, all without surgery or extended downtime. If you’re interested in learning whether the Y Lift is right for you, we’re happy to walk you through the details during a consultation at Perfect Skin Center. We serve Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Ahwatukee and more. Give us a call at 480-897-3623 or fill out our online form to get started.