The trend in facial rejuvenation over the last ten years has been away from the traditional face-neck lift to a more conservative non-surgical approach. This is partly due to the heavy commercial marketing by the makers of the neurotoxins such as Botox®, and the soft tissue fillers such as Juvederm® and Restylane®. Terms like the “Liquid Facelift” have been popularized recently by plastic surgeons and dermatologists and may be very misleading. Using fillers to plump up a face is a short-tem solution, and certainly a very expensive one. Eventually most patients find that the temporary effects of fillers or Botox are insufficient to correct their excess skin, saggy jowls, and aging necks.
The Lunch-Time Facelift
Another heavily marketed facial procedure that has gained popularity in the last several years is the so called “Lunch-time Facelift”. There are several different thread type procedures that currently have FDA approval in the United States. These include the Contour Threadlift® and the FeatherLift®, or Aptos Thread Lift®. The difference between these two procedures is the design of the threads. The attractiveness of procedures like the “Lifestyle Lift®” and the “ThreadLift®” are the advertised promises of a quick procedure, miraculous results, and a speedy recovery. These procedures claim to produce the same results as a traditional facelift; however, they are most frequently performed in an office setting, in about an hour, and often under local anesthesia. Patients may be drawn to this “quick fix” approach without carefully investigating a physician’s training or board certification. Often patients end up with more extensive scarring than advertised because the physician performed a skin excision like that of a traditional facelift in order to achieve the desired results. Unfortunately patients are often disappointed by the outcome of the thread lift, which are considerably more dangerous when performed by physicians with little or no surgical experience.
The Stemcell Facelift
The latest hype on the internet has been the “Stemcell Facelift”. This procedure is basically a fat transfer or lipofilling procedure to the face and jaw line. Although there is promise on the horizon that we will someday be able to harvest the potential of the human stem cell, both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have issued position statements that there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that a stem cell facelift is any more effective than traditional fat transfer for volume enhancement.
Face and Neck Lift
A facelift or neck lift is a surgical procedure that is designed for patients who want to improve their neck, jowl area, cheeks, and temples. The extent of the procedure varies with the desires of each individual. Some patients are seeking an improvement in the neck area alone. For these patients, a direct excision of excess skin under the chin is available, often with correction of associated muscle laxity. Direct neck procedures produce a very well hidden scar and a rapid recovery. Other patients are more concerned with their mid-face and temple regions. These areas can be tightened and lifted, sometimes without undergoing a full face lift. Suture lines can be well hidden in the hairline, and patients can return to normal activities within a few days. The goal of each of these procedures, either separately of combined, is to produce a more youthful appearance, without losing a natural, rested, healthy look. Incisions should always be well hidden along or within the natural hairline, and around the ear if necessary.
Facial rejuvenation procedures are performed at the Center for Special Surgery. Patients may leave the center wearing a light compression garment and often need return for several office visits until all sutures are removed. Most patients are able to return to work and social activities within one to three weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure.
A facelift may be modified to include only specific areas of the face or neck, and products such as BOTOX®, soft tissue fillers, and possibly laser resurfacing may be used to complement a surgical procedure. With the recent advances in both surgical and non-surgical rejuvenation techniques, an individual treatment plan can be developed for each patient that ensures safe, beautiful, and long lasting results.