Facial liposculpture describes a process by which excess fat is removed from the neck and lower face. This process results in a more contoured and tightened look of the facial skin. Individuals seeking to reverse the effects of aging will often turn to facial liposculpture to remove double chins, sunken eyes, smooth smile lines, and sculpt other areas of the face that accumulate fat. The procedure is minimally invasive and often can be performed in less than one hour. With this procedure, the patient will experience little to no downtime, no stitches and no scarring.

Currently, the United States government is challenging people to eat healthy and lose weight. Though many have heeded the call and joined the initiative, many individuals still continue to have problem areas despite the weight loss. Facial liposuction is designed to remove the fat deposits and tone the face in areas that are difficult to tone through exercise and diet. The procedure, according to the recipients, boosts self-esteem and confidence. The idea is that when you look better, you feel better.

Given the number of individuals trying to lose weight, in 2008, nearly 330,000 patients received liposuction. More than 90 percent of the patients were female. Experts estimate that nearly 100,000 patients or more receive facial liposculpture. The procedure is growing in popularity. The procedure is so commonplace that more individuals trust the technique and recommend it.

Facial Liposculpture Candidates

Liposculpture is usually only recommended for individuals who are within 10 to 20 pounds of their ideal weight. It is not intended as a weight loss solution. Liposculpture is designed to add tone when traditional methods fail. Physicians will ascertain whether or not a person is a good candidate prior to the procedure. Many physicians will also offer free consultations prior to the procedure in order to determine who is a likely candidate. Age requirements vary. However, physicians have performed the surgery on patients ranging from 16 to 80 years of age. Individuals should also be in good health prior to the procedure.

Facial Liposculpture Procedure

The procedure begins applying a local anesthetic to the problem area. In some instances, patients are also given an oral sedative to minimize any feeling associated with the procedure. After the anesthetic and the sedative have taken effect, the physician inserts a thin metal tube called cannulas into the problem area. The cannulas create tiny incisions, approximately 0.125 inches in length, where the tube pierces the skin. The cannulas are typically the size of a pencil or smaller. A physician will then activate a “vacuum suction pump” to remove the fat from the problem area. The vacuum suction pump uses negative pressure to gently coerce the fat from the body into the metal tube. Physicians apply pressure to the area to gently aid in the contouring process of the liposculpture procedure.

Tumescent Facial Liposculpture

Tumescent liposuction is a technique that the fairly new tumescent liposculpture procedure is derived from. Tumescent actually means “swollen and firm.” The technique was introduced in 1986 by Dr. Jeffrey Klein, a California dermatologist. The procedure is less invasive than traditional liposuction, while still providing the same or better results. Patients and doctors were amazed to hear that the average patient only loses 3 teaspoons of blood during the procedure. This loss is much less than traditional liposuction procedures.

Other liposuction techniques often left the patient scarred or with bumpy or uneven skin, after the procedure. The new tumescent liposuction technique minimizes this effect by mixing lidocaine and epinephrine. Epinephrine minimizes blood loss from capillaries and associated bruising by shrinking the capillaries with its vasoconstrictive properties. The lidocaine portion of the solution effectively numbs the facial area. This solution also acts as an agent to cause fat tissues to expand and relax in the affected area prior to the procedure. This aids in the ease of fat removal.

SmartLipo Laser Procedure

After the procedure, many physicians employ the use of “SmartLipo.” SmartLipo is a laser that is applied to permanently remove fat cells from the area. In some instances, this procedure is performed alone. In other instances, this procedure is performed in conjunction with liposculpture, which is the removal of fat with cannulas. The laser guides a light beam with a small probe onto the affected area of the skin. The laser is designed to tighten the skin by melting the fat. If used alone, sedation is not required. If used in conjunction with liposculpture, it can be applied while under the anesthetic.

The laser possesses special technology called “SmartSense.” This technology prevents the laser device for burning or overheating the skin. Most patients remark that they feel slight warmth on the face. If the skin is numb when the procedure is performed, the patient will not feel much of anything. Patients are often concerned with fat liquefying that is often associated with this process. However, if the fat is removed prior to the procedure, the chances of this occurrence are slim. This procedure is non-invasive. There is no blood or stitches associated, if used alone.

Facial Liposculpture Risks

Risks involving liposculpture are minimal in most cases. However, the risks should be mentioned as a precautionary measure. The patients may experience uneven or bumpy skin in the area of the procedure. The individual may experience sunken cheeks, if the affected area concerns that aspect of the face. Patients may also experience bruising, as well as, some swelling and pain in the area. Some patients may also experience fluid leakage from the site of the injection. This occurrence is most common in the first 48 hours. Because of this, patients also experience a greater chance of developing an infection due to the small wound. Allergic reactions also may occur. Patients, who experience any of these symptoms, are urged to visit a doctor immediately.

Facial Liposculpture Recovery

Patients will only be out of work anywhere from one day to one week depending upon the extent of the surgery. Most patients feel comfortable in public a week after the surgery with no visible signs. Exercise may resume two weeks after the surgery. The best part about getting facial liposculpture is that removed fat cells do not tend to grow back. Therefore, the procedure will be fairly permanent.