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| The
Complete Composite Facelift |
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The Complete Composite Facelift is one of the new generation of plastic
surgery procedures. It produces a natural looking and lasting result,
based on a more advanced understanding of facial ageing than was
available in the past.
Recent research into the ageing process and, specifically, its effects
on the anatomy of the face, has demonstrated that facial ageing
actually occurs beneath the skin, within the underlying support
layer. This means it is a structural rather than a superficial (skin
level) process.
During the ageing process the underlying support layer progressively
weakens, resulting in laxity and sagging which directly affects
the visible shape of the face itself. This change in facial shape
is the key to facial ageing and explains why people look their age
even if their skin is unwrinkled and why middle age brings with
it a look of ‘tiredness.’ The focus of the Complete Composite Facelift
is to restore the facial shape lost during ageing, bringing back
more youthful contours, definition and proportions.
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| What
is the Support Layer ? |
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The support layer (also known as the SMAS or Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic
System) is a layer of ligamentous and muscular tissue situated between
the skin and the facial bones (see illustration). It is firmly attached
to the bones by tiny ligaments which hold it in place. This layer
provides the facial contours, based upon the shape of the individual
bone structure underneath.
As we age these ligaments weaken and stretch causing the SMAS (and
its overlying skin) to separate and move away from the bone. This
leads to laxity and sagging, as the close relationship between the
bone structure and its overlying layer of SMAS and skin is lost.
The skin no longer appears to sit firmly over the bones as it does,
for instance over the cheekbones or jawline of a youthful face and
the facial shape becomes gaunt and harsh as it droops(see illustration
of facial ageing).
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This
illustration shows the support layer (or SMAS) and muscles lying beneath
the skin. As the face ages the support layer becomes lax, leading
to the visible appearance of laxity and sagging. This is particularly
evident in the central part of the face where the muscles are located. |
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This
laxity used to be described as laxity of the skin, but we now know
that it is the movement of the underlying support layer or SMAS
which creates the appearance of skin laxity and sagging.
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| The
Complete Composite Facelift |
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The Complete Composite Facelift restores a more youthful shape and
contour, and reduces laxity and sagging, by returning the support
layer to its former position, close to the facial bones. It achieves
a natural looking result because it simply removes age related slack
in the support layer by restoring it to its previous position. There
is no stretching or distortion involved.
Unlike older style, traditional facelifts, which relied upon artificially
stretching the skin over an aged face, the Complete Composite Facelift
works at the actual site of the ageing to restore the youthful look
of that particular face when younger. In particular it brings back
roundness over the cheekbones, clean contours around the jaw and
mouth and freshness around the eyes.
If you are interested in learning more about the Complete Composite
Facelift, please ring or email the office and we will send you a
detailed booklet on the procedure.
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| Dr.
Bryan Mendelson and the Complete Composite Facelift |
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Bryan Mendelson has been instrumental in the anatomical research
which facilitated the development of the Extended SMAS Facelift
in the 1990s, and its more recent development, the Complete Composite
Facelift. His initial presentation on the technique was made at
the Annual Scientific Congress of the American Society of Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgeons in Boston in 1990. It was awarded the
Robert H Ivy Award for the best scientific presentation.
He has since published several key papers on the technique in the
international plastic surgery journals, Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery and Clinics in Plastic Surgery, the most recent
appearing in September 2002. He has been invited to performed live
demonstrations of the technique at international plastic surgery
conferences around the world.
If you would like to email the office for a copy of our Patient Information
Notes 'What to Look for in a Facelift', or our Facelift Booklet, please
click here.
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