title: Laser face-lifts: a new paradigm in face-lift surgery.
abstract: Laser-assisted liposuction has been successfully applied to remove fat and contract skin in nonfacial areas. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of this technique in the face. Patients ( N = 40) requesting improvement and a shorter recovery time received one of four laser face-lift (LFL) procedures. The target area was divided into ~15 squares, each around 5 × 5 cm. Each square was treated individually by laser-assisted liposuction to surface temperature end points of 38°C to 40°C. Anatomic areas treated included the submentum, jowls, neck skin, jaw line, cervicomental angle, oral commissures, and nasolabial grooves. Wavelengths were 1064 nm and 1319/1320 nm. Patients returned to their normal lifestyle within 6 to 7 days after treatment. Patient satisfaction was generally higher than that seen in patients receiving a conventional face-lift. Adverse events were limited to burns in two patients. The LFL is a less invasive treatment with acceptable efficacy, reduced downtime, shorter recovery, and lower cost compared with the traditional face-lift.
authors.affiliation: Sciton Inc., Sacramento, California, USA. drmack@renewyou.com
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McMenamin
mesh_terms: D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods