Fundamentals of Non-invasive Facial Rejuvenation

When we think about facial rejuvenation, we have to think about the active interplay of muscles, fat compartments, bony structures, and vasculature to reveal the dynamic relationships just below the surface of the skin. This is useful in understanding an analytic approach to produce changes in a patient’s facial features. Surgical lifting procedures have typically been used to treat facial and neck skin sagging and laxity. However, a broad range of nonsurgical procedures have emerged as an alternative to surgery over the last decade. Through the administration of controlled dermal heating treatments, including radiofrequency (RF), intense pulse light (IPL), and ultrasound, offer varying tissue tightening levels. Compared to surgical procedures, noninvasive treatments have minimal downtime, relative safety for skin color, and a favorable side effect profile. Unfortunately, less intrusive procedures have a history of poor efficacy, uneven clinical outcome, and a shorter-lasting tightening effect.