Procedures

Facial Rejuvenation

QUICK FACTS
  • Preserving clean youthful skin becomes a concern of most women. Though face lift surgery has the greatest ability to rejuvenate the face many conservative treatments are available.
  • Avoidance of ultraviolet light and smoking can do much to prevent aging.
  • Facial creams containing glycolic acid and prescriptions for bleaching creams and Retin A are helpful in preserving clean youthful skin.
  • In addition to facial creams and prescriptions, Chemical Peels and Laser Resurfacing are more effective in removing age spots and erasing fine wrinkles in comparison to topical skin care products.
  • Chemical peel acids have varying degrees of penetration into the skin. From superficial to deeper penetration, common acids used are glycolic, trichloroacetic (TCA) and carbolic (phenol). Deeper peels are more effective in removing age spots and fine wrinkles; however, they result in a lighter skin tone and have a higher risk of scarring. Full face Chemical peels are performed under IV sedation in the office.
  • Wrinkles caused by facial animation can be temporarily effaced with Botox injections. Botox prevents wrinkles by relaxing the muscles. If wrinkles are permanently etched in the skin, relaxing the muscles will not completely erase the wrinkle.
  • Injectable fillers such as collagen, hyaluronic acid and fat can be used to augment features in the face and smooth wrinkles. For example injecting Restylane into the upper lip can give a plumper contour and erase the wrinkles which bleed lipstick onto the skin.
  • A conservative Face Lift can be performed with barbed threads. Thread Lifts use sutures with barbed sides to pull the soft tissues of the face towards the anchoring sites of the suture. The main problem of the threat lifts is their effect requires constant integrity of the threads. Once a thread pulls loose the benefit is lost and a revision must be performed. The advantage is threads can be inserted under local anesthesia in the office.
  • Though plastic surgeons have a better understanding of the anatomy of the face, most of the non-surgical treatments for aging can be performed by non-surgeons.
  • Face Lifts have the greatest ability to rejuvenate the face and erase wrinkles. However, Face Lifts do not alter the surface quality of the skin, therefore skin care is necessary.
  • In a Face Lift wrinkles are smoothed out by removing excess skin. Face Lift incisions are hidden in the scalp above and behind the ear. In addition to tightening the skin layer, a deeper plane Face Lift (e.g. SMAS) can give longer lasting effects compared to a face lift which tightens only the skin.
  • A neck lift is a standard part of a face lift. In a neck lift the “turkey gobbler neck” is treated by removing fat under the chin and muscles are tightened through an incision under the chin. A neck lift can be performed without the rest of the face lift.
  • Face Lift incisions can be extended across the head to perform a brow lift. A brow lift is helpful to achieve a harmonious rejuvenation of the entire face. Brow Lift incisions in the scalp can be limited by using endoscopic techniques to elevate the brow.
  • The undermining for the Brow Lift can be extended down into the cheeks to lift the soft tissues of the mid-face (Mid Face Lift). The Mid Face Lift more accurately reverses the direction of aging by lifting the cheeks straight upward.
  • On the average Face Lift Surgery will set back the aging process at least 10 to 20 years.
  • Face Lift, Brow Lift, Mid Face Lift, and Neck Lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in the operating room.
  • Recovery requires 2 – 3 weeks leave of absence from social life. Early bruising and pinkness of the early scars can be camouflaged with cover-up make-up.
  • Please call the office for the cost of the different facial rejuvenation procedures.