Natural Beauty

By: Christopher Inglefield
Created on 20th September 2011

Leading cosmetic surgeon, Mr Christopher Inglefield BSc FRCS (Plast) of London Bridge Plastic Surgery, presents the Natura Lift... minimally invasive facial rejuvenation

One of the most challenging areas in aesthetic surgery is rejuvenation of the ageing face. Surgical techniques for reversing the changes in the ageing face have evolved over the past 50 years to produce excellent results using a plethora of techniques.

However, facelift surgery using any current technique still requires a major surgical procedure with all its inherent risks, recovery and scarring. A good facelift should not look operated on! This is the challenge for us as surgeons and we must keep in mind our oath to our patients: Primum non nocere. First do no harm.

Over the past 15 or so years, many minimally invasive facelift techniques have been described with varying results and successes. Endoscopicallyassisted techniques have enabled effective lifting with minimal scars, while thread suspension techniques have reduced the extent of surgery further.

Minimal incision thread lifting was believed to be the answer to many of the challenges of standard facelift surgery with the many modifications and refinements.

Early threads were barbed sutures and despite several improvements, never gained wide acceptance. Barbed sutures suffered due to the barbs cutting through the tissue, breakage of the suture or pain, leading to loss of the lifting or removal of the sutures.

The goal, therefore, is to provide an effective, safe and long lasting facelift which is bespoke for our patients. Patients requesting improvement in facial appearance vary widely in age and facial ageing. It is therefore necessary to have a program which suits individual patient needs.

The Natura Lift is the evolution of this philosophy – combining skin health, non-surgical treatments, minimally invasive face, neck and brow lifting, lipomodelling, mini-facelift and mid-facelift. The first step is a careful evaluation of the patient to determine his or her concerns, goals and medical health.

Restoring healthy skin is the foundation for a youthful appearance and the Obagi Nuderm program is recommended for most patients. Skin tightening is incorporated into the skin health using the EndyMed 3 DEEP radiofrequency device to provide optimum improvement in skin elasticity.

The key technique in the Natura Lift is performed using the revolutionary and state of the art Silhouette Sutures. These sutures utilise absorbable cones instead of barbs to lift the tissues. The cones enable long-term support – up to four years – without the shortcoming of cutting through which used to occur with barb sutures.

A significant advantage of the Natura Lift is the avoidance of general anaesthesia or hospital stay, as this is carried out as a local anaesthetic, out-patient procedure. There is a very short recovery time of three to five days with minimal risk of bruising or infection. A small scar is hidden in the hair with no visible scars.

The Natura Lift is also suitable for patients with facial palsy to improve facial symmetry. Additional procedures may be recommended in order to achieve the optimum natural facial rejuvenation.

Brow and neck lifting can be part of the Natura Lift using Silhouette Sutures or a mini-facelift may be required to remove excess skin laxity. For patients who have moderate to severe facial sagging with significant jowls, a combination of mid-facelift and the Natura Lift will restore a youthful facial fullness.

Surgery to restore the youthful face has come a long way since early techniques – the goal of a natural, safe and long lasting procedure is here with the Natura Lift.