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.

Keywords

Endolaser - face-lift - laser lipolysis - liposuction

Publication History

Article published online:
26 July 2011

• References

• 1 Zelickson BD, Dressel TD. Discussion of laser-assisted liposuction. Lasers Surg Med 2009; 41: 709-713
• 2 Apfelberg DB. Results of multicenter study of laser-assisted liposuction. Clin Plast Surg 1996; 23: 713-719
• 3 Badin AZ, Moraes LM, Gondek L, Chiaratti MG, Canta L. Laser lipolysis: flaccidity under control. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2002; 26: 335-339
• 4 Lack E. A new gold standard. Advance for Healthy Aging for Physicians March-April 2010; 5: 20-24
• 5 Ichikawa K, Tanino R, Wakaki M. Histologic and photonic evaluation of a pulsed Nd: YAG laser for ablation of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 2006; 31: 136-140
• 6 Goldman A. Submental Nd: Yag laser-assisted liposuction. Lasers Surg Med 2006; 38: 181-184
• 7 Kim KH, Geronemus RG. Laser lipolysis using a novel 1,064 nm Nd: YAG Laser. Dermatol Surg 2006; 32: 241-248 discussion 247
• 8 Prado A, Andrades P, Danilla S, Leniz P, Castillo P, Gaete F. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing laser-assisted lipoplasty with suction-assisted lipoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 2006; 118: 1032-1045
• 9 Liu H, Dang Y, Wang Z, Chai X, Ren Q. Laser induced collagen remodeling: a comparative study in vivo on mouse model. Lasers Surg Med 2008; 40: 13-19
• 10 DiBernardo BE, Reyes J, Chen B. Evaluation of tissue thermal effects from 1064/1320-nm laser-assisted lipolysis and its clinical implications. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2009; 11: 62-69
• 11 Zhang Z, Li G, Shi B. Physicochemical properties of collagen, gelatin and gelatin hydrolysate derived from bovine limed split wastes. J Soc Leather Technol Chemists 2005; 90: 23-28
• 12 Kist DA, Sierra R, Sherr E, Zelickson BD. Collagen fibril contraction in bovine tendon and poultry skin after CO₂ laser exposure. Lasernews Net 2004; 2: 15-23
• 13 Alam M, Hsu TS, Dover JS, Wrone DA, Arndt KA. Nonablative laser and light treatments: histology and tissue effects—a review. Lasers Surg Med 2003; 33: 30-39
• 14 Chan HH, Lam LK, Wong DS, Kono T, Trendell-Smith N. Use of 1,320 nm Nd: YAG laser for wrinkle reduction and the treatment of atrophic acne scarring in Asians. Lasers Surg Med 2004; 34: 98-103
• 15 Weiss RA, Weiss MA, Beasley KL, Munavalli G. Our approach to non-ablative treatment of photoaging. Lasers Surg Med 2005; 37: 2-8
• 16 DiBernardo BE, Reyes J. Evaluation of skin tightening after laser-assisted liposuction. Aesthet Surg J 2009; 29: 400-407
• 17 Sasaki GH, Tevez A. Laser-assisted liposuction for facial and body contouring and tissue tightening: a 2-year experience with 75 consecutive patients. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2009; 28: 226-235
• 18 Sun Y, Wu SF, Yan S, Shi HY, Chen D, Chen Y. Laser lipolysis used to treat localized adiposis: a preliminary report on experience with Asian patients. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2009; 33: 701-705
• 19 Mordon S, Eymard-Maurin AF, Wassmer B, Ringot J. Histologic evaluation of laser lipolysis: pulsed 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser versus cw 980-nm diode laser. Aesthet Surg J 2007; 27: 263-268