Endoscopic Face Lift: An Alternative to Classic Face Lift?

Dr. Mert DR. ERSAN, Assistant Professor from Yeditepe University's Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, stated that endoscopic face lift surgery is not a 100% alternative to classic face lift surgery, and said that the method can be applied especially in patients who do not have significant skin excess and who have newly beginning sagging in facial tissues. DR. ERSAN stated that in endoscopic face lift, an incision of approximately 3 centimeters is hidden within the scalp, and said, "It is not possible for us to correct problems in the entire face and neck with a smallincision."
Dr. Mert DR. ERSAN stated that the most important difference of endoscopic face lift surgery from the classic face lift method is the location of the incision. DR. ERSAN, who stated that in classic face lift the incision starts in front of the ear and is visible, said that in the endoscopic method, the incision is made within the scalp, approximately 2 centimeters behind the hairline.

'We Perform the Surgery Through a 3-Centimeter Incision'

Stating that the camera system used in the endoscopic method provides the surgeon with the opportunity to see tissues in a magnified way, Mert DR. ERSAN said, "The most important difference is actually the placement of the scar. In a classic face lift, our incision starts in front of the ear and is in a visible position. In endoscopic face lift, our incision is hidden within the hair and is approximately 3 centimeters long. With the help of the endoscope, we can see all tissues in a better way through a magnified camera system. Therefore, we can perform this surgery with a scar of approximately 3 centimeters, without a visible incision."
Stating that no tissue is removed during the surgery, DR. ERSAN said, "We make an incision from within the hair, approximately 2 centimeters behind the hairline. Through the incision we make here, we visualize all facial tissues through a camera system, and we perform our entire surgery through this 3-centimeter incision. After the surgery is finished, we close our incision. Therefore, our scar remains in an invisible place again. The surgery takes an average of 2 to 2.5 hours, but of course it varies from procedure to procedure."

'We Lift the Tissues with an Upward Vector'

Explaining the effect of endoscopic face lift, DR. ERSAN stated that with aging, facial tissues move downward under the effect of gravity. He noted that in classic face lift, tissues are pulled more outward, while in the endoscopic method, because the incision is above, tissues are moved in an upward direction.
DR. ERSAN said, "The displacement of tissues is in accordance with the aging pattern. However, saying 'endoscopic face lift is more natural' is not a correct approach. What is important here is actually the patient's expectations. Some patients may want the results to change more dramatically. Therefore, understanding the expectation here would be much healthier. However, if we consider that tissues displace downward, endoscopic face lift surgery, in which these tissues are lifted upward, will give a natural result."

'It Is Generally Applied in Patients Between the Ages of 20-50'

Stating that endoscopic face lift is especially preferred in patients who do not have significant skin excess, DR. ERSAN said that the method is generally suitable for people between the ages of 20-50.
DR. ERSAN said, "The best indication for endoscopic face lift is actually between the ages of 20 and 50, and along with this, not having an obvious skin excess. If we do not have an obvious skin excess, we can displace all downward-sagging tissues in an upward direction. However, if we have an obvious skin excess, removing these tissues with the classic method would be much more appropriate."
Also emphasizing that the patient's age alone is not determinative, DR. ERSAN said, "Everyone's aging pattern is different. One of the best indications of this surgery is that it is planned individually. Some of our patients want a change only in the cheek and mid-face area. Especially in the younger population, we have patients who want a little change around the eyes, almond eye aesthetics, and brow lift aesthetics. Therefore, deciding according to the patient's expectation and current anatomy would be much healthier."

Also touching on the post-surgery recovery process, DR. ERSAN said that edema, swelling, and color changes may be seen in the face. He stated that after patients generally rest at home for 1-2 weeks, they can return to their social lives from the third week.
DR. ERSAN said, "This is a surgery, so the surgery will definitely create trauma in the face. It will require a recovery process. Depending on this surgery, we definitely expect some edema, some color changes, and swelling in the face. Their beginning to heal and the patient's beginning to socialize happens on average between 2-3 weeks. Generally, after resting at home for 1-2 weeks, patients can return to their social lives fromthe3rdweek."
Also stating that protection from the sun is important during the recovery period, DR. ERSAN said that patients should avoid sun exposure as much as possible during this process.

'Endoscopic Face Lift Is Not a 100% Alternative to the Classic Method'

Underlining that endoscopic face lift does not completely replace classic face lift surgery, DR. ERSAN said that the method is especially aimed at lifting sagging tissues upward without skin excess.
DR. ERSAN said, "Endoscopic face lift surgery is not a 100% alternative to classic face lift surgery. This surgery is more of a surgery for lifting sagging tissues upward without obvious skin excess. This needs to be understood very clearly."

'Neck Lift Is Required for Serious Sagging in the Neck'

Stating that endoscopic face lift will not solve advanced problems in the neck area alone, DR. ERSAN expressed that neck lift surgery may be required especially in cases of prominent neck bands, "bulldog" appearance, and sagging due to muscle laxity.
DR. ERSAN said, "The area we target with the 3-centimeter incision is the face area. If there is serious banding in the neck, if prominent bulldog appearances are present, and if we have serious sagging due to muscle laxity, this surgery is performed with a neck lift surgery performed from behind the ear. Endoscopic face lift is a quite effective surgery, but it is generally effective for newly beginning sagging in the upper, middle, and lower face areas. For prominent neck problems, neck lift surgery is also required."
Stating that endoscopic face lift is a method performed with a small and hidden incision and can be shaped according to the patient's expectations, DR. ERSAN drew attention to the importance of correctly evaluating the patient's expectations and anatomy before surgery.