Ultrasonic Deep-Plane Neck Lift.

Ultrasonic deep-plane neck lift is a new approach for addressing both the subsuperficial musculoaponeurotic system and subplatysmal soft tissues during facial rejuvenation procedures. This innovative surgical approach utilizes 2.2, 2.9, and 3.7 stainless steel probes that are powered by high-frequency ultrasound. Using high-frequency ultrasound in the subcutaneous spaces has been accomplished for the past 20 years with a very suitable safety profile. In this technique, emulsification of the fat layer in both the superficial and deep planes is accomplished with tumescence of the soft tissues in the same fashion as subcutaneous liposuction. In ultrasonic deep-plane neck lift, the superficial and deep layers of fat are targeted for emulsification, and this creates a loosening of these spaces for lifting and repositioning. The procedure facilitates more accurate surgery, because the tissue effects include hemostasis and scalpel- and scissor-free undermining due to the emulsification of the fat layers of the face and neck. The other advantages of ultrasound-assisted facial contouring and rejuvenation include treatment of hard-to-treat areas like the perioral region and distal neck, which can be rapidly and safely undermined utilizing this technology. The third component of ultrasound- and energy-based facial rejuvenation surgery is the long-term remodeling and tightening that occurs beginning approximately 8 weeks after the procedure. When many conventional facelifts are beginning to fall at 3 to 4 months postoperatively, the energy-based facelifts are still tightening and this remodeling continues for up to a year after the procedure. Combining technology with conventional facelift procedures is a new approach to facial rejuvenation and is the result of 15 years of research and cooperation with the aesthetic device industry. The result of this merger of technology with conventional surgery is TESLA Facelifting, the facelift of the future.

Evaluating, Purchasing, and Incorporating High-Tech Equipment into a Facial Plastic Surgery Practice.

In this article the authors discuss and analyze technological devices also known as energy-based devices and their use in skin rejuvenation, facial contouring, skin tightening, and other applications in facial plastic surgery. Energy has been applied in some form to tissue since the beginning of recorded history. The practice of applying heat to tissue with the use of cauters was used for thousands of years as an invaluable method of controlling hemorrhage. Continuous improvement of methods for using the beneficial effects of heat on tissue eventually led to the development of the basic concepts of electrosurgery we know today.

Ultrasound-Assisted Rhytidectomy Including Sub-SMAS and Subplatysmal Dissection.

Energy-based facelifting techniques are a relatively new genre of surgery. In this approach, the energy-based device-whether laser, radiofrequency plasma, or ultrasound-can be used in the superficial plane to elevate skin flaps before performing more traditional facelift techniques involving the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) or platysma. The initial reports of utilizing fiber lasers as surgical tools date back to approximately 2007 and initial lipolasers were used to elevate facial skin flaps. The other energy-based devices were also tested. The author has probably the largest series of energy-based facial rejuvenation procedures, having performed over 3,000 of these procedures. The advantages of laser-assisted rhytidectomy include hemostasis, facilitated dissection in areas hard to elevate conventionally such as nasolabial folds or distal neck and the remodeling and tightening of tissue that results from the activation of the wound healing cascade of neocollagenesis and wound contraction. The author currently has a preference for energy device used during rhytidectomy and it is a high frequency ultrasound energy delivered by a five-ring 2.9- and 3.7-mm probe. The use of the ultrasound dissector in both superficial and deep procedures is highlighted in this article with emphasis on its use for deep cervicoplasty and subplatysmal procedures as well as sub-SMAS elevations of the facial deep plane.

Laser-Assisted Facelifting and Energy-Based Rejuvenation Techniques During Rhytidectomy.

The use of energy-based devices as surgical tools during rhytidectomy was introduced in early 2007 to 2008 and occurred when the first fiber laser was approved for laser lipolysis. It became evident that the fiber laser-assisted rhytidectomy could offer several advantages compared with conventional rhytidectomy. The use of energy devices now includes temperature-controlled radiofrequency and helium plasma devices. Energy devices continue to offer advantages compared with knife and scissor approaches: improved hemostasis; an ability to dissect into areas without full flap elevation; and the shrink-wrap late effects of collagen remodeling after energy-based treatment, which improves the results of rhytidectomy.

Easy Platelet-Rich Fibrin (Injectable/Topical) for Post-resurfacing and Microneedle Therapy.

The process of obtaining blood biologics, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), can be complicated and expensive and is influenced by many vendors and proprietary techniques. The indications for PRP/PRF use remain controversial, and complicated or expensive modes of generating this biologic may lead to many facial plastic surgeons to pass on the use of these potentially useful agents. The lack of standardization of PRP procurement also has led to difficulties in assessing clinical efficacy and comparing study protocols.

Pulsed and Fractionated Techniques for Helium Plasma Energy Skin Resurfacing.

Energy-based skin rejuvenation has, like other forms of aesthetic treatments, the capability of achieving desirable end results. These end results must be balanced with the degree and duration of morbidity, which affect recovery from treatment. Renuvion skin resurfacing protocols include a free hand approach and we describe our preferred approach of pulsing and fractionating the helium plasma resurfacing energy.

Picosecond Laser: Tattoos and Skin Rejuvenation.

Picosecond laser technology was cleared by Food and Drug Administration in 2012 and enhanced our ability to clear both benign pigmentation and dermal ink through a photomechanical impact created in the tissue. This impact created is greater than comparative nanotechnology and can be accomplished with lower fluences and smaller pulse durations. The addition of a diffractive lens array (FOCUS lens) has created a new category in skin rejuvenation by stimulating elastin and collagen through photomechanical and photoacoustic effects and not only through traditional photothermal tissue effects.

Renuvion/J-Plasma for Subdermal Skin Tightening Facial Contouring and Skin Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck.

The Renuvion/J-Plasma helium based plasma device from Apyx Medical has technological features that result in a unique and effective method of action for the contraction of subdermal soft tissue. The device achieves soft tissue contraction by instantly heating tissue to temperatures greater than 85°C for between 0.040 and 0.080 seconds. The tissue surrounding the treatment site remains at much cooler temperatures resulting in rapid cooling of the tissue through conductive heat transfer. Compared to bulk tissue heating devices, this method of action results in effective soft tissue contraction with a lower risk of injury to surrounding tissue.

Perioperative Care Considerations and Management of Complications Involving Surgical and Technology Procedures.

Technology impacts the lives of everyone nowadays and has had perhaps a greater impact on the lives of facial plastic surgeons and the patients they seek to help with both surgery and procedures. This article will discuss modern technology's impact on intervening in the aging process including technology used for facial and skin rejuvenation and reconstruction concentrating on the techniques and care to minimize complications as well as dealing with complication from the treatments.

Radiofrequency Technology in Face and Neck Rejuvenation.

Three doctors discuss the current issues and controversies involving the use of radiofrequency and energy-based devices for skin tightening, facial contouring, and other indications. The use of transcutaneous monopolar-, bipolar-, multipolar-, subcutaneous-, and microneedle-based delivery methods are discussed. The controversies involved in the various devices are discussed.

Cool Atmospheric Plasma (J-Plasma) and New Options for Facial Contouring and Skin Rejuvenation of the Heavy Face and Neck.

Treating patients with heavy or thick features comes with challenges not present in those patients lacking these physical characteristics. The authors report our experience with cool atmospheric plasma for facial contouring and skin rejuvenation of the heavy face and neck including rhinophyma. Cool atmospheric plasma is generated by running helium gas over radiofrequency energy. The resulting plasma is a fourth state of matter and has enhanced clinical effects for ablation and thinning of skin and soft tissues as well of contouring and tightening of deeper soft tissues and fascia. Cool helium plasma has been a very effective tool for skin rejuvenation and skin tightening as well as using it as a tool for nonexcisional microinvasive face and neck rejuvenation. Future research may indicate that it can help treat primary or recurrent superficial cutaneous malignancies.

Use of a controlled subdermal radio frequency thermistor for treating the aging neck: Consensus recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: A new temperature-controlled device has been used as a percutaneous radio frequency probe to treat lax submental and other facial areas. It has significant advantages over other esthetic devices as it provides the dual benefit of fat lipolysis and skin tightening. Our goal here is to present consensus recommendations for treating the aging neck. METHODS: A panel of 11 expert physicians convened in Dallas, Texas, on October 15, 2016 to arrive at a consensus on the best current practice for submental skin tightening and contour improvement. Prior to the meeting, a comprehensive review of the literature was performed and a survey was sent to esthetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons who were queried about various aspects of neck rejuvenation. RESULTS: The literature search revealed 10 different technologies for neck rejuvenation evaluated in double-blind (n = 2) and single-blind (n = 1) clinical trials and other clinical evaluations (n = 21). The survey was sent via an email to 1248 individuals and was completed by 92 respondents. Review of the data and discussion by meeting attendees generated eight consensus recommendations. DISCUSSION: Subdermal monopolar radio frequency represents an effective means for disrupting fat volume and skin tightening of the face, neck, and jawline. For suitable patients, this treatment can be used to achieve significant esthetic improvements.

Treating Scars to the Neck.

Scarring of the neck affects millions of people every year. The appearance of neck scarring can be disturbing both physically and psychologically. Scarring of the neck can be accompanied by morbidities because of the limitation of functional motion of the neck. Treatment options and modalities for reduction and prevention of scar formation include topical steroids, intralesional steroids, interferon, 5-fluorouracil, silicone gel, radiation, laser therapy, and surgeries. There is no general consensus in the literature as to the optimal treatment of neck scarring. Patients should understand that the scar is likely to be improved but not eliminated by treatment.

Combined laser treatment of actinic sun damage and acne scarring.

Since its approval for use in 2007, many surgeons have been using the laser for subcutaneous use, primarily for lipolysis, facial neck and body contouring, and skin tightening. Techniques have recently evolved to enable use of the subcutaneous laser with concurrent skin resurfacing techniques for improvement of photoaging and acne or facial scarring. The technique shows great promise in patients with facial aging and photodamage who are not deemed candidates for rhytidectomy surgery. With strict patient-selection criteria of mild to moderate facial laxity and mild to moderate photoaging, the procedure can be gratifying for the surgeon and patient alike.

SmartLifting fiber laser-assisted facial rejuvenation techniques.

The greatest fear of using lasers subcutaneously in the face is that facial motor nerve injury will occur. With SmartLifting procedures, this is not a complication that occurs provided the laser and surgical guidelines are followed. We have seen several short-term, marginal mandibular neuropraxias in several patients, all of which resolved within weeks. There have been no permanent nerve injuries in any patient undergoing SmartLifting procedures. There is temporary interruption of cutaneous sensory nerves during the rhytidectomy, and the resolution of the temporary sensory deficits is identical to the resolution of non-laser-elevated rhytidectomies.

Laser-assisted neck-lift: high-tech contouring and tightening.

Less invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation are becoming more and more popular as prospective patients seek out treatment options that offer the best possible results with the least amount of downtime. As the demand for "quick recovery" procedures increases and patients spend more time researching options, more informed choices are being made, and many times patients opt for technologically advanced procedures. Less invasive procedures can be so described because they utilize small incisions, less anesthesia, or advanced technology to reduce morbidity. We describe a minimally invasive "laser neck-lift" that utilizes minimal access incisions, no general anesthesia, and an internal aesthetic laser to dissect in the plane between skin and subcutaneous fat and the platysma. The procedure relies on laser lipolysis and skin tightening via dermal heating as well as two Quill™ sutures that serve to define the neck. The procedure is well tolerated and not complicated and gives long-lasting results.

Upper lid blepharoplasty.

Upper lid blepharoplasty is the most commonly performed operation in patients seeking facial rejuvenation. When evaluating the patient, attention should be focused on the possibility of concomitant eyelid or eyebrow ptosis. Meticulous planning and technique are required to achieve high levels of patient satisfaction.

Multimodality aesthetic skin rejuvenation.

Patients requesting skin correction and rejuvenation are motivated by a number of clinical problems. Photo damage, abnormal pigmentation or vascularity, textural problems, rhytides, and laxity due to chronological aging are the primary complaints of the majority of patients. Advances in new technology in the past decade have provided the skin correction specialist with new options for treatment. Specialists with multiple technology options then face a new dilemma. What is the best treatment plan for individual patients when many options exist? Over the past five years we have developed an approach to our patients based on an individualized treatment plan consisting of a prescribed series of skin correction treatments utilizing the most specific rejuvenation techniques for each clinical problem. Multimodality aesthetic skin rejuvenation (MMASR) emphasizes the corrective process and utilization of the most appropriate technology for the patient's clinical skin problem as evidenced by the clinical examination. MMASR also takes into consideration patient bias, cost concerns, expectations of treatment, and feasibility of combining different technologies in the same treatment session. Combining skin rejuvenation techniques with surgical rejuvenation is also reviewed as an option for patients with both facial laxity and clinical skin problems.