Combining Fractional Carbon-Dioxide Laser Resurfacing with Face-Lift Surgery

9 Laser-Assisted Lower Lid Blepharoplasty

“…Has the patient been on isotretinoin, which delays healing? 10,14 The physical examination focuses on the structures to be addressed and the face as a whole. The Fitzpatrick or Glogau skin type, the amount of photodamage, and the degree of rhytids should be recorded.…”

“…The incidence of pigment alterations is lower than with ablative techniques. 14 The fractional laser allows the operator to choose what percentage of tissue is necessary up to full ablation. Full ablation should be restricted to Fitzpatrick skin types I through III.…”

Facelift combined with simultaneous fractional laser resurfacing: Outcomes and complications

“…In theory, the depth of the fractional ablated area can extend deeper into the dermis than possible with traditional ablative resurfacing with a lower risk of complications. 19 Numerous studies have been performed evaluating the effects of fractionated lasers based upon the different setting variables: fluence, pulse number, density and pulse width. 20e22 The ablative effects induce collagen remodeling and skin tightening for several months after treatment.…”

“…23 This has lead to increase interest in simultaneous surgical rhytidectomy and ablative fractional resurfacing. 19 The senior author has previously published recommended safe settings to be utilized during fractional ablative laser. 24 These settings were based upon both clinic experience as well as histological study of treated skin as an investigator in laser research and development and have been well published.…”

Laser-Assisted Facelift

“…In addition, many adjunctive procedures (e.g., soft tissue augmentation and laser skin resurfacing) have been devised and integrated in an attempt to improve the overall results. [2][3][4] Laser-assisted facial contouring (LAFC) using a thermally confined 1,444 nm Nd:YAG micropulsed interstitial fiber laser was introduced by Holcomb et al as a minimally invasive method for reducing mid-and lower facial soft tissue fullness. 5 Benefits as well as limitations and potential complications of LAFC as an independent procedure have been previously described.…”