Patients today are faced with a myriad of non-invasive options, promising a youthful appearance without the downtime of surgery. But according to Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo R. McCafferty, MD, whether it’s filler fatigue or getting used to the results of Botox Cosmetic, sometimes it takes more than a non-invasive approach to achieve the best results.
“I think it’s important for patients starting their facial rejuvenation journey to really explore both non-invasive and invasive, so-called surgical procedures. Some non-invasive procedures, surprisingly, have more downtime than their surgical counterparts,” says Dr. McCafferty. “It’s important that people see a board-certified doctor who has knowledge in both hemispheres, if you will, because patients can spend tons and tons of money on things that just don’t do much.” Here, he shares the best combinations that lead his patients to non-surgical remission.
The “gold standard” of resuscitation
Dr. McCafferty emphasizes the lasting effectiveness of the facelift, calling it the “gold standard” for facial rejuvenation. Despite the rise of non-invasive procedures, the facelift remains unmatched in its ability to comprehensively address various aging concerns.
“There are many rejuvenation procedures out there that claim to rejuvenate the face without surgery. While some are good, the facelift has remained the gold standard for rejuvenation,” he explains. Dr. McCafferty encourages patients to consult with a board-certified surgeon who can customize the right facelift for them.
“While you can certainly try to contour your face with injectables and non-surgical treatments that promise a lift, there is no substitute for a facelift. Today’s procedures are done in such a way that recovery is minimal. A mini-lift is great for someone with early to moderate aging on the cheeks, calves and neck. Deep soft tissues require less extensive modification and therefore the incisions are smaller, allowing for faster recovery.”
Addressing individual concerns
A facelift is just one option. For those experiencing signs of aging faster than they can keep up with their biannual in-office treatments, Dr. McCafferty recommends addressing these concerns one at a time. He says his patients often use their hands to visualize the desired changes. Understanding individual priorities, he systematically assesses the forehead, eyebrows, eyes, upper eyelids, lower eyelids, face and neck to tailor a personalized plan, which is sometimes a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments.
“I look at the forehead, the position of the eyebrows, the eyes, the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, the face and the neck. Most patients do not need a facelift. Brows don’t change much with aging, but the upper eyelid skin and swelling can be treated surgically,” states Dr. McCafferty. “While Botox is appropriate for many patients, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, often combined with a neurotoxin, can address specific concerns around the eyes.”
The Art of the Browlift
For those in need of a facelift, Dr. McCafferty uses minimally invasive techniques to ensure natural-looking results. “Usually, browlfting is done in the office under twilight anesthesia. Small incisions, often with an endoscope, are made for minimal scarring. If only the outer brows need a lift, a temple lift can be performed through a small incision within the temple hairline,” says Dr. McCafferty.
Staging Procedures
Part of Dr.’s approach McCafferty includes creating a schedule when implementing a combination treatment plan. “When it is not clear who is the main culprit of aging around the upper eyelids and eyebrows, it is better to start with the upper eyelids. If the patient is satisfied, you can leave the eyebrow. If not, a browlift can be safely performed later,” he advises.
This approach to facial rejuvenation is rooted in a nuanced understanding of each patient’s unique needs. By combining non-invasive and surgical techniques, it guides patients towards a renewed appearance without the telltale signs of extensive work.
His philosophy emphasizes the importance of informed choices, precision in surgical techniques and a personalized approach to turn back the clock at least a full decade.
