In recent years, “mini-facelift” procedures have seen popularity in the office setting. Most of these procedures involve smaller incisions with limited tightening in the front of the ears. While these procedures provide an adequate results for the right candidate, they often provide minimal results for fullness or significant laxity in the front of the neck. The best candidates for good results are either younger patients without significant neck concerns or a patient desiring a refresher for a previous facelift.

More than 10 years ago, Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stephen Fink started doing minilift procedures in the office under local anesthesia. Over the course of thousands of procedures, Dr. Fink expanded and adapted the procedure to address the lower face and the neck. This procedure meets the needs of a much broader range of patient conditions. Using only oral sedation and local anesthesia, there is minimal discomfort, pain and associated risks compared with deeper anesthesia. The Newport Faces lift is a synthesis of proven techniques including laser liposuction. At the start of the procedure, a laser fiber is gently passed right beneath the skin in several directions to help disrupt fat cells, lessen bleeding and shrink the skin. This helps reduce bruising and provides additional tightening and thickening of the skin as it stimulates the growth of new collagen. Traditional liposuction is then performed to the desired contour followed by a corset style platysmaplasty. Loose muscle bands are firmed in the midline and then lifted in a natural direction on each side. Finally, excess skin is mobilized, advanced toward the incision and precisely removed. Since no two faces are the same, the degree of each procedure is uniquely tailored for each individual. The result is a contoured neck and jawline with smoother and firmer skin. Predictably your face will have a rejuvenated and refreshed appearance without the unnatural, operated stigmata.

Aging has much to do with genetics and lifestyle. People of certain ethnicities may be more resistant to signs of aging than others. This often correlates with the degree of skin pigment since it protects from the harmful UV rays of the sun. For example, people of Western European heritage will show signs of aging earlier than African or Asian Heritage. However, the effects of lifestyle factors like smoking have been demonstrated in studies of identical twins.

There is no specific age minimum or limit for having the procedure. The time for a procedure is determined by your visible aging and your tolerance of it. When you look in the mirror or see yourself in photos, you may notice jowling, wrinkling or a turkey neck. If it improves with lifting the soft tissues, you may well be a candidate for the Newport Faces lift. Once the tissues are lifted and excess skin removed, it will not grow back. As you get visibly older, you will still appear younger than had you not done anything. The appearance of your aging will be turned back, but it will continue to progress according to your genetics. It may be slowed, however by good skin hygiene, maintenance procedures and lifestyle choices.

Anyone considering any type of facelift or mini lift should consider the Newport Faces Lift. Candidates for the Newport Faces lift include anyone who is healthy with normal patterns of aging. Although there are no routine lab tests required, a medical clearance from your physician may be requested in some cases. Since it is done under local anesthesia, it avoids many of the concerns posed by general anesthesia. Nevertheless, all procedures have associated risks. In most cases, preexisting health conditions pose the greatest risk to an uncomplicated recovery with the Newport Faces lift. Dr Fink may consult with your established physician to assist in the assessment.

Typically people from Western European descent will see significant changes to their facial skin texture by age 40. Skin elasticity generally decreases over time with loss of collagen. Smart Lipo helps increases collagen to strengthen the skin. Loose support muscles are firmed beneath the skin and fatty deposits are contoured. Lastly, the skin is custom fitted to provide a younger appearance allowing natural movement. If you are in good health, age is not a contraindication to the procedure. Dr. Stephen Fink has performed the procedure on patients up to ninety years old. It can also be performed as a refresher to a previous facelift. Combined with CO2 laser resurfacing, the skin texture of the entire face can be enhanced to produce a synergistic effect lessening wrinkles in areas not addressed by a facelift alone. Whether you have a small amount of loose skin about your neck or a heavy neck with significant jowling, Dr. Stephen Fink will adjust the procedure to achieve the best possible results for each individual.