Dear Dr. Seckel, I have been doing research on getting a mini face-lift and laser resurfacing. I am 51 and feel like I look 80. I have been told that the mini face-lift won’t help me to get a facelift. Also, the laser resurfacing was told that I need to do this but ill still have wrinkles. I am so confused. I was wondering if I could send you my pictures? Can you tell me what you know about the Active FX and the C02 laser and which would work for me with some fine & deep wrinkles? Also have sagging cheeks and neck. Thank you, Lee, Wilmington, NC
Dear Lee,
The distinction between the benefits of laser resurfacing or laser peel and a face lift can be very confusing. The plastic surgery laser skin rejuvenation procedure called laser resurfacing is done to remove surface wrinkles and tighten skin. The problem is that after a laser resurfacing the skin can be left white-hypo pigmentation- and contrast sharply with the neck skin.
In addition a deep laser resurfacing cannot be done at the same time as a face lift because the blood supply to the skin can be interfered with if too deep a resurfacing is done. If this happens the the face lift flaps can die and terrible scarring can result.
The face lift pulls the skin back to a more youthful position and restores a nice appearance to the face when done properly by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Terms like mini lift, face tuck, mini face lift are misleading and used mainly for marketing purposes in my opinion. The important thing for you the patient is to get the result that you desire and not worry about the name the procedure is called.
After reviewing you photos you need a face and neck lift or full face lift to restore your face to a youthful appearance. In addition you will have persistent wrinkling around the mouth after the face lift. Wrinkle removal around the mouth can be accomplished with a new laser skin rejuvenation procedure called the ActiveFX laser skin peel which in my opinion is safer than a deep laser resurfacing. Because it is a less intensive peel it may need to be repeated after 3-4 months.
You asked me about a mini face lift combined with a neck lift.
A mini lift and neck lift is a full face lift–you are getting confused on terms that are used in Marketing to pull you in–make you believe you are getting something that is minimal–unfortunately the results are minimal or negligible and don’t last.
You need an honest skilled doctor who will do what is necessary to give
you the result you desire, and give you the treatment you need that will please you and last, and be done safely. Don’t get confused by terminology and marketing.
The muscles and skin of the face and neck are all interconnected and must be
tightened together as a unit so the whole face and neck are restored to a nice youthful appearance-if you do it piecemeal it looks piecemeal—put your hands on your cheeks upside down with your thumbs on your neck and pull up-it is all a unit and must be done as a unit to look good.
Thank you very much for your questions.
For more information on face lift, laser resurfacing and plastic surgery read Save Your Face or contact me.
Boston, Massachusetts
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