Dr Jani Loghem argues whether the term ‘lift’ fits clinical reality and how practitioners should discuss patient expectations
The term ‘lifting effect’ is widely used in medical aesthetics when describing outcomes following soft tissue filler (STF) treatments, including hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactic acid. It resonates strongly with patients, evoking the appealing concept of reversing gravitational descent and restoring youthful contours.
Notably, ‘lifting effect’ terminology has gained acceptance in peer-reviewed aesthetic literature when describing outcomes achieved through anatomically-informed injection techniques that target underlying structural changes.¹ While STFs demonstrably improve facial contours and reduce signs of sagging, whether their mechanism genuinely constitutes a ‘lift’ in any meaningful mechanical sense remains debated.
In my view, the term still has a place in aesthetic practice, but only when it is used precisely, is anatomically grounded and accompanied by careful expectation management.
