Surgical Approach to the Thick Nasolabial Folds, Jowls and Heavy Neck—How to Approach and Suspend the Facial Ligaments

Abstract

Patients with thick skin typically present with a redundant, baggy, lax skin envelope together with prominent nasolabial folds, jowls, and a heavy neck. Durable and natural-appearing rejuvenation is not possible unless the deformities are addressed adequately and harmoniously in these patients. Traditional superficial musculoaponeurotic system techniques do not include surgical release of the zygomatic cutaneous ligaments and repositioning of descendent malar fat pad, and may lead to an unbalanced, unnatural appearance and the lateral sweep phenomenon. Additional attempts to improve unopposed nasolabial folds such as fat grafting to malar region are more likely to result with a “stuffed” look, far from a natural and rejuvenated appearance, and must therefore be avoided. The facelift techniques including true release of the anchoring ligaments of the midface and allowing adequate repositioning of saggy tissues are ideal for these patients to obtain harmonious, natural result. Despite the extensive dissections, maximal release, and maximal lateral pull, additional maneuvers, e.g., platysmaplasty, subplatysmal fat removal, or partial resection of submandibular glands may be required for satisfying result in patients with heavy neck. In this article, the authors outline the relevant anatomy of the facial retaining ligaments and their implications to surgical management of patients with heavy skin are discussed.