ORLANDO, Fla. – It was one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in 2011 and on average the most expensive, but there is a new way to look younger without going under the knife.
Pictures taken during her show horse competitions made Patti Murphy self-conscious.
Recommended Videos
"And I felt like my problem area was really just down here," said LazerLift patient, Patti-Murphy.
Tightening creams did not cut it, but she did not want to get cut.
"I don't want this tied behind my ears or anything," Murphy explained.
So she opted for this new procedure.
"We don't even put any stitches in at the end," said Orlando Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Roger Bassin.
It's called LazerLift. Bassin says the scalpel-free treatment gives patients, "a facelift result without actually having to do an actual cut and lift."
After a few tiny punctures, the laser melts fat between the skin and muscle and heats deep tissue in the skin.
"And thus, that gives you the new collagen and the tightening effect that we're looking for," Bassin explained.
It takes up to six months for the final result.
"And I could just slowly see week to week, I just felt it like smoothing out and getting tighter. It wasn't like instant," said LazerLift patient, Joy Celibrati.
Bassin says it is best for patients who need more than a little, but not a major lift.
"We gotta make sure the patients are the correct candidates for this," he said.
Celibrati's happy with her results.
"I feel more confident," she explained.
Murphy's hoping for the same.
Bassin says LazerLift can vary from $3,000 to $6,000. He tells his patients to expect the results to last at least five years. The procedure can be repeated if needed. Recovery time for LazerLift is three to four days, compared to a traditional facelift which can take weeks.
Additional Information:
BACKGROUND: In 2011, facelifts were the most popular cosmetic procedures and on average the most expensive. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. Many people who consider this procedure want to correct sagging in the middle of the face, loss of muscle tone in the lower face, deep creases below the lower eyelid, fat that has fallen, deep creases along the nose extending to the mouth, or loose skin under the chin and jaw. A facelift consultation will be conducted before the surgery can take place. Certain things have to be discussed for safety purposes; for instance, why they want the surgery, what medical conditions they have, what previous surgeries they have experienced, and what medications they are on. (Source: plasticsurgery.org)
RISK FACTORS: As with any procedure, facelifts come with a variety of risk factors. They include: bleeding, unfavorable scarring, infection, anesthesia risks, poor wound healing, correctable hair loss at the incision sight, facial asymmetry, skin loss, facial nerve injury, numbness or other changes in skin sensitivity, fluid accumulation, pain, skin discoloration and swelling, skin contour irregularities, deep vein thrombosis, and the possibility of revision surgery. After the procedure is done and the patient is released, they must watch out for shortness of breath, unusual heart beats, and chest pains. If one experiences any of these symptoms, then medical attention should be immediate. (Source: plasticsurgery.org)
TREATMENT: After surgery it is very important to follow all of the physician's instructions in order to achieve success. Professionals say that it is highly important for the surgical incisions to not be subjected to abrasion, motion during the time of healing, or excessive force. Patients are advised to not wear any clothing that will go over the head. Usually the doctor will give detailed instructions to the patient on how to care for oneself. (Source: plasticsurgery.org)
NEW TECHNOLOGY: An alternative to the expensive and invasive procedure would be LazerLift. It is a precise laser facelift technology that will reverse the signs of aging without scalpels, stitches, and scars while cutting down the risks, costs, and recovery time associated with a facelift. It works by safely heating and tightening the skin to stimulate the tissue coagulation and the formation of collagen. It can help attack the physical signs of aging without harming surrounding tissue. LazerLift uses ThermaGuide to provide the doctor with real-time temperature feedback during the procedure to avoid overheating the skin and deep tissue. LaxerLift also provides results several months following the procedure for a natural and long-lasting look. (Source: lazerlift.com)