Triple-S Lift for Facial Rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the last century, when the aesthetic rejuvenating surgery was first described, there have been great changes in tactics and methods for solving the problems of age-related facial changes. Since the first description of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), there have been two main approaches to influencing this structure. These are various types of SMAS plications and different in-depth and technique sub-SMAS liftings. Each of these approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: We have developed and applied a face-lift technique that combines the advantages of both approaches. We call it the triple-S lift, which is based on three basic principles: 1. A short scar technique; 2. The safety SMAS (limited sub-SMAS dissection to anterior border of the masseter muscle); 3. The support system (a complex of ligatures in the sub-SMAS layer, which allows lifting and plication of the medial part of the SMAS simultaneously) According to this method, there were 93 operations performed on 8 men and 85 women aged 38 to 72 years. RESULTS: The first clinical applications produced good results. The patients noted a high degree of satisfaction, and the level of complications was quite low. Since the technique has been performed for a short period of time, we demonstrate results of the 2-year period. CONCLUSION: The described technique requires further study, but the first results suggest that this type of a surgical intervention is safe, easy to execute, and may be an option to choose for surgical correction of facial aging changes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Impending Facial Skin Necrosis and Ocular Involvement After Dermal Filler Injection: A Case Report.

Demand for non-surgical rejuvenating procedure is constantly increasing due to the aging population, increasing expense of aesthetics and beauty procedures, introduction of new applications and rising demand for noninvasive aesthetic procedures over surgical procedures. Skin necrosis is a rare but severe potential complication. It is caused by impediment of the blood supply to the skin area by compression and/or obstruction of the vessel with filler material, and/or direct injury to the vessel. We report the case of a young patient who presented an acute and severe complication after a dermal filler injection by an unlicensed therapist. High-dose corticosteroids i.v. therapy among others helped in the process of healing. Skin necrosis left the patient with a full thickness scar on the forehead region. Dermal fillers are to be considered safe only when handled by trained doctors. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Treatment of the Nasolabial Fold Using a Hyaluronic Acid-Based Filler with eXcellent Three-Dimensional Reticulation (XTR™) Technology: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: The physicochemical characteristics of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can affect the outcome of minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. The effect of a novel HA-based filler manufactured with a novel 3D structure (XTRTM technology) was assessed in the nasolabial fold. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent treatment of the nasolabial fold with a novel HA filler in our clinic. Treatment outcome was assessed at 3 and 6 months with wrinkle score, GAIS, and VAS. Results: Eighteen patients were injected with the novel HA filler in the nasolabial fold. At six months, mean wrinkle scores were improved on both sides compared to baseline. GAIS and VAS were high at three and six months. Conclusion: The HA-based filler manufactured with XTRTM technology is safe and effective in treating the nasolabial fold. Good aesthetic results were seen for up to 6 months. Patient satisfaction was high during the entire follow-up.

HArmonyCa™ hybrid filler to restore connective tissue: An Italian real-life retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Facial aging and dermal conditions may negatively influence the quality of life, leading patients to seek aesthetic procedures to restore a more satisfying appearance. HArmonyCa™ is a recently developed hybrid filler that combines the actions of the most common dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid (HA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). AIMS: This study investigates the efficacy and safety of HArmonyCa™ in patients affected by chrono- and photoaging and several facial skin conditions. PATIENTS/METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients, affected by chrono- and photoaging, and skin conditions such as oily and acne-prone skin, rosacea, or scarring, were treated with HArmonyCa™. Injections followed the retrograde linear fanning technique. A physicians' consensus identified five optimal entry points. The physician and patients assessed treatment outcomes using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) 9 months after treatment (including immediate lift effect, skin firmness, and elasticity), and 3D images were taken for documentation. Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated immediately after the procedure and after 9 months. RESULTS: According to the physician's assessments, all patients displayed an improvement in facial appearance, particularly during movement, with the patients' evaluation showing agreement. Only minor AEs were reporte, which resolved spontaneously. Moreover, HArmonyCa™ treatment proved compatible with different medications and aesthetic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that one treatment with HArmonyCa™ yields highly satisfactory outcomes in patients affected by skin conditions. For the first time, we show that HArmonyCa™ is a dynamic filler that improves facial laxity during movement. The treatment proved to be safe and fully compatible with other cosmetic procedures and medications.

[Autologous fat grafting for perioral and lower face rejuvenation].

Objective: To review the research progress of the application of autologous fat grafting in perioral and lower face rejuvenation. Methods: By extensively reviewing related articles and combining the clinical experiences, the anatomic features (fat compartments and blood supply), aging features of the perioral and lower face, and the application advancement and related complications of autologous fat grafting in this area were generally summarized. Results: The aesthetic features of perioral and lower face include the lip, chin, and so on, and the anatomic structures relating autologous fat grafting include the mandibular fat compartments, chin fat compartments, and other fat compartments. Meanwhile, the facial artery passes through this area and spreads out several important branches. The aging features of perioral and lower face include the depening of nasolabial fold, the aging lip, perioral wrinkles, "marionette lines", and so on. Autologous fat grafting can improve perioral and lower face rejuvenation by restoring volume loss of facial fat compartments, correcting aging malformation, and improving skin quality. But there are neurovascular injuries, facial aesthetic problems, and other related complications. Conclusion: Autologous fat grafting can be applied in perioral and lower face rejuvenation, and it can effectively improve related aging features. There are several aspects developing aggressively, including the research of facial asthetics features of Chinese people, combining autologous fat grafting with surgery as well as other methods to comprehensively treat facial aging, and the application of fat tissue related derivatives in perioral and lower face rejuvenation. However, the resorption rate of facial grafted fat tissue is still too high, and the long-term effectiveness can not be assured. In the future, the solutions related to improving the survival rate of grafted fat tissue need to be explored in the future.

Topical growth factors and home-based microneedling for facial skin rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Cosmeceutical products are an important therapeutic option for facial rejuvenation. Of these, topical application of growth factors has been shown to increase dermal collagen synthesis, improve skin texture, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Limited data exist for the use of growth factors in combination with microneedling. OBJECTIVE: This prospective, single-center, uncontrolled study evaluated the efficacy of topical growth factor treatment in conjunction with transdermal delivery of growth factors via home-based microneedling for facial skin rejuvenation. PATIENTS/METHODS: Eleven healthy female individuals aged 33-61 years, with mild-moderate facial wrinkling were included in the study. Over 3 months, participants received twice-daily application of a topical recombinant human growth factor preparation (SkinGenuity® Regenerative and Reparative Serums) along with twice-weekly transdermal delivery of growth factors using a home-based microneedling (0.2 mm) device. Objective skin analysis (VISIA® ) and a subjective patient-reported outcome (FACE-Q® ) assessment measuring satisfaction with appearance were performed at baseline and after 3 months. RESULTS: Objective skin analysis showed a significant improvement in skin texture (17.6%, p < 0.001), wrinkles (17.3%, p < 0.001), red areas (12.4%, p =0.004), and brown spots (6.0%, p =0.03) at 3 months follow-up. FACE-Q scales showed a significant improvement from baseline, including satisfaction with skin, facial appearance, nasolabial folds, cheeks, and lower face/jawline (all p ≤ 0.02). Numerical improvement in adverse effects related to skin was also observed (p = 0.07). No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of twice-daily topical growth factor treatment in conjunction with transdermal delivery of growth factors via microneedling improved skin analysis parameters and participant-reported outcome measures, indicative of facial skin rejuvenation.

The Outlook of the Development of Innovative Products from Biocompatible Natural Spider Silk in the Beauty Thread-Lifting Industry.

Embedding thread lift rhytidectomy, also known as "thread lifting" in China, with the natures of simple operation, less trauma and quick recovery, is progressively used in clinical practice as a new technology of face lifting. Herewith, a brief introduction of the previous advances of thread lifting techniques and materials in the facial beauty industry, combined with the discussion on various types of sutures, common complications, and the site of actions were provided. The main limitations of present thread lifting material include: (1) the use of non-absorbable sutures is liable to cause allergies and a series of complications; (2) the absorbable sutures are easily degradation, and people need to reshape in a relatively short period. Therefore, the high biocompatible spider silk was proposed as a novel material of thread lifting suture and related devices, the advantages and preliminary achievements on spider silk were also addressed.

Autologous fat graft assisted by stromal vascular fraction improves facial skin quality: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) promotes the survival of fat grafts with high vascular density and improves skin quality by increasing collagen content. However, no study has quantified the changes on the skin surface, and rigorous methodological evaluations are still lacking. DESIGN: Fifty patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 25) that underwent a stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-assisted fat graft and a control group (n = 25) that underwent fat graft only. METHODS: The SVF cells were counted, tested in terms of viability, and characterized. The volumes of whole faces were determined by using a 3D scanner and Geomagic software preoperation, immediately after surgery, and 6 months postoperation. Facial skin qualities, including spots, wrinkles, texture, pores, UV spots, brown spots, red areas, and porphyrins, were detected by a VISIA skin detector preoperation and 6 months postoperation. A visual analog scale was used for clinical evaluation. RESULTS: The cell pellet contained 1-3 × 107/mL of fresh SVF cells. The cell viability exceeded 98%. The immunophenotyping characteristics and stemness were consistent with the features of adipose- derived stem cells (ADSCs). The survival rate of SVF-enriched fat grafts was significantly higher than that of control grafts: 77.6%±11.6% versus 56.2%±9.5% (p<0.001). The VISIA values of wrinkles (19.3 ±â€¯6.6 versus 10.9 ±â€¯5.5, p<0.001) and texture (15.8 ±â€¯7.0 versus 10.3 ±â€¯5.0, p<0.01) were significantly higher in SVF-enriched group than in control group at 6 months postoperation. During long-term follow-up, the majority of patients in both groups were satisfied with the final facial esthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the positive outcomes of autologous SVF-assisted fat graft in improving facial skin quality and its promising application potential in clinical settings. This study is registered at www. ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02923219.

Regenerative application of stromal vascular fraction cells enhanced fat graft maintenance: clinical assessment in face rejuvenation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of FG-SVFs in face rejuvenation for esthetic improvement. METHODS: 33 female patients affected by face's soft-tissue defects with loss of volume, study group (SG), were treated with FG-SVFs, comparing results with a control group (CG) (n = 30) treated with fat graft not enhanced (FG). Clinical evaluation, a photographic assessment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) were performed. Post-operative follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 7, 12, 24, 48, weeks, and then annually. RESULTS: SG patients showed 61% maintenance of the contour restoring and of volume after 3 years compared with the CG treated with FG, who showed 31% maintenance. 60.7% (n = 20) of SG patients, presented an increase of 6.6 mm in the soft tissue volume after 36 months, which was reported in only 33,3% (n = 10) of the CG. Volumetric persistence in the SG was higher than that in the CG (p <. 0001 vs. CG). MRI and US moreover confirmed the absence of important side effects, as fat necrosis, and cytosteatonecrotic areas. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FG-SVFs was safe and effective in this series of a case treated.

The evaluation of elasticity after nonablative radiofrequency rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Laxity and rhytides are manifestations of photodamage on the face and chest. Nonablative radiofrequency (RF) is one of the most common procedures used for skin rejuvenation. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the elasticity of face and chest skin after multipolar radiofrequency. PATIENTS/METHODS: Thirty women, aged 43-68, were included in the study. Twenty women were postmenopausal and 10 were premenopausal. They received 4 treatment sessions with an application of nonablative radiofrequency in 2-week intervals. Biomechanical properties of the skin were measured with the use of a Cutometer. RESULTS: The objective evaluation in a cutometric analysis showed a statistically significant improvement between measurements taken in the pretreatment period and 3 months after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study is an objective confirmation that RF treatment improves skin elasticity. The method may appear to be beneficial for women of any age and skin types. It is a noninvasive treatment with a low risk of complications.

Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays multifaceted role in regulating the various biological processes such as skin repairmen, diagnosis of cancer, wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulation. Owing to its remarkable biomedical and tissue regeneration potential, HA has been numerously employed as one of the imperative components of the cosmetic and nutricosmetic products. The present review aims to summarize and critically appraise recent developments and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic efficacy of HA for skin rejuvenation. A thorough analysis of the literature revealed that HA based formulations (i.e., gels, creams, intra-dermal filler injections, dermal fillers, facial fillers, autologous fat gels, lotion, serum, and implants, etc.) exhibit remarkable anti-wrinkle, anti-nasolabial fold, anti-aging, space-filling, and face rejuvenating properties. This has been achieved via soft tissue augmentation, improved skin hydration, collagen and elastin stimulation, and face volume restoration. HA, alone or in combination with lidocaine and other co-agents, showed promising efficacy in skin tightness and elasticity, face rejuvenation, improving aesthetic scores, reducing the wrinkle scars, longevity, and tear trough rejuvenation. Our critical analysis evidenced that application/administration of HA exhibits outstanding nutricosmetic efficacy and thus is warranted to be used as a prime component of cosmetic products.

[EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION OF FACIAL METICULOUS FAT GRAFTING BY FAT GRANULES INJECTION ASISTOR].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of facial meticulous fat grafting by fat granules injection asistor. METHODS: Between January and August 2015, 46 patients received facial autologous fat grafting for rejuvenation. There were 7 males and 39 females, aged 21-65 years (mean, 34 years). Firstly, the faces were divided into 10 cosmetic zonations according to facial aesthetic criteria, then autologous fat grafting was carried out by fat granules injection asistor. The autologous fat was filled into 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 cosmetic zonations in 3, 7, 5, 3, 8, 4, 2, 10, and 4 cases respectively; the injected fat amount was 2-110 mL (mean, 47 mL). RESULTS: The swelling period was from 5 to 15 days after operation (mean, 7 days), and there were no complications of infection, cyst, introvascular thrombogenesis, and so on. They were followed up 1-7 months (mean, 3 months). The effect of face rejuvenation was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetic zonation of face is helpful for preoperative evaluation of autologous fat grafting, and the fat granules injection asistor is beneficial to reach better effect of face rejuvenation.