Fight sagging skin via internal facelift

A facelift may not be the answer to a sagging face, but an "internal face lift" using implants may result in a more youthful face, a U.S. expert suggests. Dr. Jim Gilmore, a triple board-certified facial and plastic cosmetic surgeon in otolaryngology -- head and neck surgery -- at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, says the internal facelift technique combines midface and jaw/chin implants to counterbalance shrinking in the chin and cheeks common with aging. The technique also uses liposuction or tightening of the muscles under the chin to eliminate double chins and turkey neck, Gilmore says. The more traditional skin-tightening techniques of facelifts, and facial fillers and Botox then may be used to smooth out underlying areas, Gilmore says. "Sometimes overlooked is what I call the internal facelift," says Gilmore says in a statement. "The internal face lift employs 3-D remodeling to re-create the youthful triangle of the face." Looseness of facial skin is often caused by shrinkage of the underlying bone, muscle and soft tissue, Gilmore says. "No surgery can permanently prevent aging, but it can make the individual appear more youthful and refreshed," Gilmore says.