New York City, New York, June 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Top NYC plastic surgeon, Dr. Darrick Antell has conducted a study that compares the two most popular facelift techniques using identical twins and triplets. Comparing the full-incision facelift with the short-scar facelift, Dr. Antell concluded from his unique study that the full-incision yielded more permanent results in the long term.
While both techniques are successful in the sense of immediate results, those who opted for a short-scar facelift were more prone to sagging skin forming on their neck in the years following their procedure.
“This study clearly suggests that the short-term results for both incisions are equivalent, but about five years later, those who received a short incision showed a relapse,” described Dr. Antell. Although patients like the idea of a short incision, if it doesn’t yield equivalent results, patients should consider the full-incision facelift. “This is probably the first and only study that examines these two incision techniques,” continued Dr. Antell, whose intensive research is published in the June of 2016 medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Antell's research on identical twins has also been featured in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
His study included performing facelifts on 4 sets of identical twins (3 female and 1 male set) and 1 set of identical triplets (female) in 2006 with the age of participants ranging from 56 to 73. The results were photographed between 1 and 5 years after their procedures. The photographs were then reviewed and analyzed by 8 board-certified plastic surgeons. These surgeons were not told which patients received which technique.
The combined results depicted that there was no difference between facelift techniques at the 1 year mark, but noteworthy differences occurred when photos from the 5 year mark were compared. It was found that patients who underwent a short-scar technique experienced less permanent results in the long term.
“To my eye, I would say the differences in the neck tended to make the short-incision patients look older, and the graders graded the neck as superior in those patients with the full incision,” said Dr. Antell. Dr. Antell also noted that the full-incision technique provides plastic surgeons with more maneuverability when positioning tissue.
“It’s innovative research not done before, and at Northwell Health we’re always looking for ways to improve medical care and educate future medical leaders,” concluded Dr. Antell. With more than 128,000 facelifts being performed in America annually, Dr. Antell has shed light on which technique can truly provide the most pleasing, long-lasting results.
To learn more about full-incision facelifts, short-scar facelifts, or facial plastic surgery, please contact Dr. Darrick E. Antell at (212) 988-4040 or request an appointment online.