The Nefertiti Lift with Sculptra Aesthetic Rather than Botox

About one year ago, I reviewed a published article considering the "Nefertiti Lift" (http://www.pickartplasticsurgeryblog.com/2008/12/the-nefertiti-lift-can-botox-tighten-an-aging-jaw-line.html).  The Nefertiti Lift is a technique for using Botox to rejuvenate the aging jawline and neck.

• My immediate conclusion was...  "I'm skeptical."
• My conclusion one year later, after having tried the Nefertiti Lift on a number of patients:  "Bogus."

However, I have since discovered that Nefertiti Lifts are possible with certain non-surgical techniques.  Botox just isn't the right product.  Sculptra Aesthetic can--non-surgically--rejuvenate some poorly defined jawlines, baggy jowls, and loose neck skin.

Sculptra works by stimulating a patient's body to make collagen.  The manufactured collagen provides volume.  The subsequent inflation helps the patient's tissues stand up at attention.  To some degree, the face and neck are, therefore, lifted.

I have grown more and more pleased with the results from Sculptra.  Nevertheless, I am not throwing out my scalpel.  For most "waddles," the surgical face/neck lift is still the gold standard.

Comments

[San Diego Plastic Surgery]

The point in your original review about the surgeon not using the same technique when taking the before and after photos is a good one. That's a very common problem with plastic surgery images that are designed more for advertising purposes than to give an accurate, clinical view of the results.

I read an article recently that pointed out that even the focal length of the lens used can make a big difference, not just the lighting and angle, etc. It's hard to resist the urge to take a flattering photo of a successful outcome, but it serves future patients better when they can see a realistic portrayal of results.

D. McCarty