Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation Procedures in Patients Under 50 Prior to Undergoing Facelift: Habits, Costs, and Results

Evaluation of a Novel Microfocused Ultrasound with Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging for Facial Tightening: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The excellent efficacy is mitigated by the limited safety profile of microfocused ultrasound procedures.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the safety and tightening efficacy of a novel microfocused ultrasound.

METHODS

The randomized middle and lower face and submental region of the participants were treated with the novel device using the following transducers: M4.5, D4.5, M3.0, and D3.0. Improvement in paired comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment photographs, three-dimensional (3D) volumetric assessments, skin thickness measured by B-ultrasonography, and skin photoaging parameters were evaluated. Adverse events and patient satisfaction were also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 20 participants (20 female) were enrolled. Fourteen of 20 participants (70%) were judged to show clinically significant facial tightening during 3-month follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean volumetric change in the lower face, as quantitatively assessed after 3 months was -0.29 mL compared with +0.42 mL on the control side (P < 0.05). The VAS pain score was 3.00 ± 1.19 without any oral or intramuscular anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

A small sample size, lack of clinical scales, and impersonalized treatment parameters. The novel microfocused ultrasound appears to be a safe and effective modality for lower-face tightening.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR 2200064666.

Potential Effects of Repetitive Panfacial Filler Injections on Facelift Surgery and Surgical Outcomes: Survey Results of the Members of The Aesthetic Society

Background

Facial soft-tissue filler injections are being performed in the United States with increasing popularity.f.

Objectives

This study aimed to characterize the observations of The Aesthetic Society members regarding the potential impact of repetitive panfacial fillers on the outcomes of subsequent facelift surgery.

Methods

A survey containing closed and open-ended questions was sent to The Aesthetic Society members through email.

Results

The response rate was 3.7%. The majority of the respondents (80.8%) believed that less than 60% of their facelift patients had previous repetitive panfacial filler injections. One half (51.9%) reported that a history of panfacial filler injections increased the difficulty of performing facelifts. A large subset (39.7%) of respondents believed that a history of panfacial fillers increased postoperative complication rates, while the remaining either disagreed (28.9%) or were unsure (31.4%). The most common complications following the facelift surgery included undesirable palpability or visibility of filler (32.7%), compromised flap vascularity (15.4%), and decreased longevity of the lifting effect (9.6%).

Conclusions

This study identified a potential association with repetitive panfacial filler injections and outcomes following facelift surgery, although the exact effect on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. Large prospectively designed studies are needed to capture objective data comparing facelift patients with a history of repetitive panfacial fillers with those facelift patients who have never had injectables. Given the results of The Aesthetic Society members' survey, the authors encourage careful history-taking to elicit an accurate filler injection record including complications after filler injections, as well as engaging patients in a thorough preoperative discussion regarding the potential of panfacial fillers on the facelift procedure and postoperative outcomes.

Level of Evidence 5