Objective analysis of the effectiveness of facial massage using breakthrough computed tomographic technology: A preliminary pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Facial massage is empirically known to be associated with morphological changes, such as improvements in facial sagging. However, quantified objective evaluations of massage-induced changes have not been performed to date. This preliminary pilot study aimed to verify the effectiveness of facial massages by using breakthrough computed tomographic technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy adult volunteers (three women and two men; age, 29-37 years) were enrolled, and computed tomography (CT) examinations using a 320 detectors-spiral CT system known as 320-multidetector-row CT (MDCT) were performed before and after facial massages. Each participant performed a self-massage twice daily for 2 weeks. Massage-induced changes in the cheeks and the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) were analyzed by two radiologists on a workstation with a high-accuracy imaging analysis system. RESULTS: After facial massage, the malar top became thinner by -0.8% ± 0.45% and shifted cranially and horizontally over a distance of 3.9 ± 1.94 mm. The SMAS-height, defined as the highest vertical distance of the SMAS, increased by 2.6% ± 2.6%. The change rate in cheek thickness and SMAS-height showed a significant correlation (r = -0.63; P < 0.05). These changes were attributed to the lifting and tightening effects of facial massage. CONCLUSION: We conducted a detailed analysis of the effects of facial massages by using the breakthrough CT technology. Our results provide useful information for beauty treatments and could contribute to the collection of objective scientific evidence for facial massages.

High Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Lamellar Facelift Under Local Anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Patients, nowadays, prefer easy, low-risk, day-case procedures under local anesthesia for facial rejuvenation. Therefore, they favor facelift operations applied under local anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 patients who underwent high superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) lamellar facelift under local anesthesia between 2010 and 2020 were included in this study. Patients operated under general anesthesia were excluded from this study. High SMAS lamellar facelift under local anesthesia was performed in all patients, consisting of 145 women and 15 men without any additional disease aged between 38 and 65 years. About 140 of these patients underwent primary facelift, whereas 20 of them had undergone SMAS plication more than 10 years ago. Lidocaine was used as a local anesthetic and the patients were not sedated. The duration of the operation was 80 minutes on average. The patients were left to rest for 1 hour after the operation and then sent home until their follow-up every other day for the first week. RESULTS: This study shows that high SMAS facelift operations for the mid-face can easily be performed under local anesthesia under operating room conditions without sedation. However, an important point to keep in mind is that although the results of this surgery satisfy the patients, the outcomes do not entirely match the expectations from total face and neck lift performed under general anesthesia. High SMAS facelift with local anesthesia should be considered as an alternative for patients who do not want to undergo general anesthesia or who are at risk of undergoing general anesthesia. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, local anesthesia was considered much safer for the patients.Level of evidence: Level V.

Minilifting technique for treatments of the lower third of the face and anterior cervical neck with tumescent anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgical techniques with a low rate of complications and rapid return to daily activities are in high demand for dermatological procedures and include lasers, microfocused ultrasound, botulinum toxin, suture strings, and filling techniques with hyaluronic acid. The facelift, on the other hand, has been criticized for complications such as bruising, relatively slow recovery rates (lasting up to a month), facial nerve lesions, and flap necrosis. Earliest descriptions of the facelift technique described a procedure associated with skin traction and detachment. However, authors did not describe a method for SMAS plication, which is still somewhat controversial. AIMS: Describe a surgical technique that reduce the signs of aging on the lower third of the face and neck with low rate of complications. METHODS: The minilifting technique described herein is capable of repositioning the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and removing excess skin from the neck and lower third of the face with minimal detachment, local tumescent anesthesia, a few complications, and a relatively fast return to daily activities (15 days). CONCLUSION: Performance of a deep dissection and excision of part of the SMAS with posterior sutures is believed to be an optimal approach, whereas authors believe that a superficial dissection is safer and provides similar outcomes compared to deep dissection. This procedure produces extremely natural and long-lasting results.