What Are the Benefits of Using a Laser to Do Facelift?

I introduced laser assisted facelifting three years ago.  The technique involves using the SmartLipo laser to elevate the facial flap.  We have done over 600 procedures with a low rate of complications. We have presented our techniques in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. We have trained many Plastic Surgeons in these techniques and Dr. Khoury in one who has visited our center for hands on training.  The advantages are less bleeding for surgeon less bruising for patient, quicker surgery due to less bleeding. The main advantage is that my patients continue to notice tightening of their faces up to one year after the procedure. This is because the laser stimulates collagen production and contraction. Usually after three months a facelift starts to "fall" and the results are less impressive after that time.  Laser under the skin need to be distinguished from lasers treating the skin.  You can also treat under the skin and on top of the skin and this procedure is termed the "SmartLook".  Beware of surgeons who are not trained in these techniques as they have no frame of reference for whether it helps to use the laser or not. They are simply not experienced with the technique. For information on Smartlifting google "SmartLifting" or see our link below

Lasers for facial rejuvenation are used mostly to resurface skin rather to cut like a scalpel. For most surgeons this just involves the initial skin incision, most will use special scissors and other instruments for the rest.Here is some more useful information. You age in 3 ways redundant skin and underlying supporting structure laxity,volume shifts (loss of volume in the cheeks, gain in the jowls and submental), and skin surface aging - wrinkles, large pores, age spots). It is important to understand that facelifts are meant to remove major folds and wrinkles, not fine wrinkles. A facelift which removed every line and fold would be too aggressive and would result in an unnatural result. The goal of our surgeons is to make your facelift look as natural as possible. Face lifts do not change the quality of the skin and volume issues are best managed by fillers or fat transfer. Skin aging is accelerated by smoking .Fine lines and wrinkles are better addressed by skin treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, which we also offer at our office. Many of our facelift patients enhance their surgical result with these nonsurgical procedures.

LASERs can be helpful in skin resurfacing, changing the appearance of skin from crepey to smooth.  Facelifts function to lift the deeper tissues of the face so that the patient can have robust changes to the neck, jawline and facial shape.  Think of LASERs and facelifts as complementary modalities and not in competition with each other.  Both can serve an important role in facial rejuenvation.

Some surgeons will use LASERs to make an incision.  There really is no evidence that a LASER will make a superior incision than a scalpel.  In addition, LASERs in this role can have serious consequence including the potential to burn hair, tissue, etc.   Good looking incisions are a result of a combination of factors, including surgical technical excellence.