Morpheus8 is a non-surgical radiofrequency microneedling treatment that improves skin tone, texture, and scars, while a facelift is a surgical procedure that lifts and repositions deeper facial tissue. Morpheus8 improves skin quality, and a facelift corrects sagging that non-surgical treatments simply can’t reach.
At Illuum Cosmetic Surgery in Novi, both options are available – and the right choice depends on how much lift your face actually needs. Below, we break down how each works, who they suit, and how to decide between them.
Morpheus8 is an advanced radiofrequency microneedling treatment offered in our medspa. It combines the collagen-stimulating effects of microneedling with RF energy to improve skin texture, firmness, and tone on the face, neck, and body – without incisions or general anesthesia.
The device uses ultra-fine needles to create micro-channels in the skin while releasing radiofrequency energy beneath the surface. That controlled thermal energy triggers a natural healing response, stimulating new collagen and elastin.
At our Novi office, a Morpheus8 appointment takes about two hours, with the first hour dedicated to topical numbing for your comfort. We generally recommend a series of three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Most patients see mild redness for one to three days afterward; swelling is uncommon but possible.
For safety, we follow strict treatment protocols. Morpheus8 is used under and lateral to the eye, but never above the eye beneath the brow – that area isn’t approved for treatment, and we don’t tug skin to reach it, since pulling can create more laxity over time.
Morpheus8 tends to work well for people who:
Want improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
Have uneven skin texture or tone, or acne scars
Want to address overall skin quality concerns
Prefer little to no downtime
Are willing to complete a series and wait for gradual collagen results
Want to maintain results from other treatments
A facelift, also called rhytidectomy or rhytidoplasty, is a surgical procedure that corrects significant signs of aging in the lower face and neck. At Illuum Cosmetic Surgery, we perform full deep-plane facelifts that treat the lower face and neck together.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lakin, releases and repositions the deeper layers of facial muscle and connective tissue (the SMAS layer) as a single unit, then removes excess skin. This avoids the “pulled” look of older methods and delivers results far more dramatic and longer-lasting than any energy-based device can achieve. Dr. Lakin was recognized by Newweek as one of “America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2026” for his expertise in facial plastic surgery.
Many patients combine a facelift with fat grafting to restore lost volume in the cheeks and midface, or pair it with a neck lift or eyelid surgery for a more complete result.
A facelift may be the better fit if you:
Have significant jowling and loss of jawline definition
Have deep wrinkles and folds in the lower face
Have loose, sagging skin on the neck (“turkey neck”)
Have volume loss in the mid-face
Have already tried non-surgical treatments without enough change
Want a single, dramatic, long-lasting correction rather than repeat sessions
Are in good general health and meet surgical criteria (our practice has a BMI limit of 42 and an age limit of 72 for surgery)
The comparison comes down to depth, downtime, and degree of change.
Morpheus8 has real advantages for the right patient – no operating room, no general anesthesia, and no extended time off work. It’s an excellent option for those not yet ready for surgery or looking to proactively address early aging.
Treats the face and neck, plus body areas like the stomach or thighs
Refines skin texture, tone, and fine lines in a way surgery doesn’t directly address
Pairs comfortably with Botox, dermal fillers, and Lumecca IPL for a layered, non-surgical plan
Not for everyone. Morpheus8 cannot reposition the deeper tissue or remove the excess skin that causes jowls and a heavy neckline. If sagging along the jawline or under the chin is your primary concern, a facelift is a better choice.
Where Morpheus8 shines as an alternative is in patients in their 30s to early 50s with good skin elasticity – it can significantly improve skin texture, tone, and scars. For patients with advanced laxity, it works better as a complement than a substitute.
Morpheus8 and a facelift solve different problems. Morpheus8 improves skin quality with minimal downtime and no surgery; a facelift corrects moderate to advanced sagging by repositioning deeper tissue for lasting change. Many patients ultimately use both at different stages of life.
About the Author
Dr. Gregory Lakin
August 18, 2026
Nurse Injector
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University and worked as an operating room nurse at Michigan Medicine for 2 years before transitioning to aesthetics. She
received her certification as a Nurse Injector, and attended further training and certification through Allergan Medical Institute. She absolutely loves being a Nurse Injector and is very passionate about
combining medicine and the creativity and artistry of aesthetics in her practice. It is extremely important to her to remain educated and up to date with the newest and best treatments and injection techniques. Her goal as an Injector is that when you sit in her chair that you feel comfortable, fully educated on your procedure, and confident and happy in your results when we are done. She loves forming connections with her patients and feels truly honored to be a part of your journey to becoming your most confident self, inside and out! She is a great listener and looks forward to creating an individualized plan to meet each of her patient’s unique goals and desires. Some of her favorite treatments include lip filler, Botox, and midface/cheek filler (but there is so much more!). When she is not injecting, you can find her trying new recipes, spending time with family, working out, gardening, or taking a long walk with her dog.
Heidi Winkler BSN, RN
Director of Nursing & Surgical Services Leadership
Heidi’s goal is to ensure every patient has a positive experience and is satisfied with the high quality of service provided by our clinical staff. Her passion as a caregiver is to impact each person’s life in a positive way.
PACU Nurse
Tonya has been a registered nurse for 15 years. She earned her BSN at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
She started her career as a trauma RN in Detroit. She has been working as a recovery RN for the past 8 years. She loves being part of a team that makes a difference in people’s lives.
Her passions include lounging with her fur babies, family, and friends, traveling, crunching, and recycling.
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