Introduction
Facial sagging is a common concern for many people, especially as they age. In New York City, a hub of medical excellence, there are numerous doctors offering various solutions for facial sagging. This article aims to provide a comprehensive ranking of doctors in New York City who are experts in improving facial sagging, along with insights into their surgical techniques and real - life surgical case photos.
Understanding Facial Sagging
Facial sagging occurs due to a combination of factors such as aging, loss of collagen and elastin, gravity, and lifestyle choices. As we grow older, the skin loses its elasticity, muscles weaken, and fat distribution changes, leading to droopy skin, jowls, and a less defined jawline. To combat these issues, different surgical and non - surgical procedures are available.
Common Causes of Facial Sagging
- Aging: Over time, the body's natural production of collagen and elastin slows down, causing the skin to become less firm.
- Gravity: The constant pull of gravity on the face can cause skin and tissues to sag over the years.
- Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure can damage the skin's structure, accelerating the aging process and contributing to sagging.
- Smoking: Smoking is known to break down collagen and elastin, leading to premature skin aging and sagging.
- Genetics: Some people are more genetically predisposed to facial sagging than others.
Treatments for Facial Sagging
There are two main categories of treatments for facial sagging: surgical and non - surgical.
Non - Surgical Treatments
- Liquid Lift: This involves using facial fillers and neurotoxins to add volume and lift to the face. According to Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, specific formulas can fill in the cheeks and other areas, giving a small lift and refreshed appearance.
- Facetite and Morpheus8: Facetite is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to contour the jawline and neck and tighten skin. It can be combined with Morpheus8, an RF microneedling technique, to significantly improve skin laxity.
Surgical Treatments
- Facelift: A facelift is a major surgical procedure where a plastic surgeon “lifts” the face by separating under the skin and muscle and re - suspending the tissues. It can address jowls, extra neck skin, general facial laxity, sagging cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and facial volume loss.
- Midface Lift: This procedure tightens the skin around the cheeks, rejuvenating the area between the nose and the eyes. It is ideal for those experiencing early signs of aging around the midface, such as sagging cheeks and deep nasolabial folds.
Ranking of Doctors for Facial Sagging Improvement in New York City
Dr. Andrew Jacono
Dr. Andrew Jacono is widely regarded as one of the best facelift surgeons in New York City and even in the world. He is a double - board certified specialist in both facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and head and neck surgery, a clinical professor in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at two New York City medical schools, and the head of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the North Shore University Hospital. He is also a prestigious board member of FACS (Fellow of American College of Surgeons).
Techniques and Approach
Dr. Jacono has pioneered and perfected the extended deep - plane facelift. Unlike traditional facelifts that separate the skin from the underlying muscle, his technique accesses a deeper layer of muscle and fascia without separating it from the skin. He then releases key ligaments before repositioning the framework on a vertical plane. This results in a smooth, wrinkle - free facial profile that does not appear overly tight, and patients look like themselves but 10 to 20 years younger. He also offers other procedures like mini - facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, and neck rejuvenation through minimally invasive techniques.
Surgical Case Photos
Dr. Jacono has a large collection of surgical case photos. For example, a 59 - year - old patient wanted to reduce the appearance of her aging, drooping face. Dr. Jacono performed a mini facelift procedure to address her mid - face concerns, along with a neck lift with platysmaplasty, a lateral temporal lift, and a blepharoplasty for her eyes. The after - photos show that she looks at least 20 years younger. Another 67 - year - old patient had a full facial rejuvenation including a deep plane facelift, lower blepharoplasty, lateral temporal lift, platysmaplasty, and a lip lift. Five years after the surgery, she still loves the amazing and natural results, and there are no visible scars even with her short pixie haircut.
Dr. Steven Pearlman
Dr. Steven Pearlman is a board - certified facial plastic surgeon in NYC, dual - board certified in both facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and in head and neck surgery. He has over 30 years of experience treating every imaginable type of facial plastic surgery patient in his practice located in the heart of Manhattan.
Techniques and Approach
Dr. Pearlman offers a variety of facelift techniques, with his favorite being the deep plane facelift. This technique addresses the muscle layer underneath the skin, called the SMAS. By releasing, tightening, and securing this musculature, he is better able to drape the skin into a more youthful contour. The deep plane facelift also repositions sagging cheeks back to their original position, restoring beautiful young cheeks. It produces longer - lasting results than a standard facelift and can look more natural because all the tension is placed on the underlying muscle layer. He also offers mini - facelifts, SMAS facelifts, male facelifts, neck lifts, and non - surgical “facelifts” like liquid lifts and Facetite combined with Morpheus8.
Surgical Case Photos
Dr. Pearlman's office maintains a collection of before - and - after photos. For instance, a patient who had a rhinoplasty septoplasty and deep plane face lift with Dr. Pearlman was thrilled with the results. The deep plane facelift tightened the patient's facial skin, improved the jawline, and restored a more youthful appearance.
Dr. Philip Miller
Dr. Philip Miller is New York City's #1 double - board certified facial plastic surgeon with 20 + years of experience in midface lift surgery. He is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 10 + years in a row.
Techniques and Approach
Dr. Miller specializes in midface lifts. He typically performs midface lifts in under two hours using local anesthesia. He makes two small incisions by the hairline, which allows him to tighten muscles, reposition fat, and remove excess skin. He also uses the exclusive Natra Look® approach and Vectra® 3D facial imaging technology to preview potential results for his patients.
Surgical Case Photos
The office provides before - and - after photos of actual midface lift patients. These photos show how sagging cheeks are elevated, and midface contours are smoothed out, giving patients a more youthful appearance. For example, a patient with sagging cheeks and deep nasolabial folds had a midface lift with Dr. Miller. The after - photo shows a significant improvement in the cheek area, with a more defined cheekbone and reduced nasolabial folds.
Dr. Richard Swift
Dr. Richard Swift is considered a top plastic surgeon in New York. He utilizes revolutionary new methods to ensure patients achieve the enhancement they want with a more natural look, less prominent scarring, and visible evidence of surgery.
Techniques and Approach
Dr. Swift offers three common variations of the facelift: the standard or full facelift, the mini facelift, and the short scar facelift. The standard facelift is recommended for those with severe signs of aging. It involves removing excess skin, tightening connective tissue and muscles in the face and upper neck. The mini facelift is for patients with mildly visible signs of aging and addresses the upper half of the face. The short scar facelift is a rare version that works best for patients with mild skin laxity and prominent jowls, and it leaves far fewer scars and is less invasive.
Surgical Case Photos
Although not as comprehensively presented as some other doctors, Dr. Swift's practice can show case photos that demonstrate how these different facelift techniques improve the appearance of the face and neck, reducing wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin.
Dr. Adam Kolker
Dr. Adam Kolker is a double - board certified plastic surgeon who believes that any facial rejuvenation plan should be carefully formulated based on the patient's particular anatomy and unique desires.
Techniques and Approach
Dr. Kolker offers a range of facelift techniques, including short scar facelifts, classical facelifts, facelifts with neck lifts, SMAS plication, SMASectomy, SMAS flap, and MACS lift. He may also suggest combined procedures such as facelift and neck lift, facelift and skin rejuvenation, facelift and blepharoplasty, and facelift and brow lift to achieve the best results for his patients.
Surgical Case Photos
Dr. Kolker maintains a comprehensive gallery of before - and - after photographs in his office. For example, a patient who had a full facial rejuvenation surgery plan including a facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, brow lift, facial fat grafting, and a lip lift with Dr. Kolker reported looking as good as she felt. The photos show a significant improvement in facial appearance, with a more youthful and balanced look.
Comparing the Doctors
| Doctor | Specialty | Techniques | Experience | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Andrew Jacono | Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgery | Extended deep - plane facelift, mini - facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, neck rejuvenation | Highly experienced, recognized worldwide | Pioneered advanced techniques, natural - looking results, published in medical literature, lectures globally |
| Dr. Steven Pearlman | Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgery | Deep plane facelift, mini - facelift, SMAS facelift, male facelift, neck lift, non - surgical options | Over 30 years in practice | Customized approach, natural results, offers a variety of facelift types and non - surgical alternatives |
| Dr. Philip Miller | Midface lift surgery | Midface lift using local anesthesia, Natra Look® approach, Vectra® 3D facial imaging | 20 + years in midface lift surgery | Expert in midface lift, uses advanced imaging technology for result preview |
| Dr. Richard Swift | Plastic surgery | Standard facelift, mini facelift, short scar facelift | Years of experience in facial surgery | Focus on natural - looking results with less scarring, customized surgical plans |
| Dr. Adam Kolker | Plastic surgery | Multiple facelift techniques, combined procedures | Skilled in facial rejuvenation | Personalized facial rejuvenation plans, offers complementary procedures |
How to Choose the Right Doctor
Choosing the right doctor for facial sagging improvement is a crucial decision. Here are some factors to consider:
Credentials
Look for doctors who are board - certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery or related fields. This ensures that they have received the necessary training and meet the high standards of the medical profession.
Experience
Consider the doctor's years of experience in performing the specific procedure you are interested in. Doctors with more experience are likely to have encountered a wider range of cases and can handle any complications that may arise.
Techniques and Approach
Research the doctor's surgical techniques and approach. Find out if they offer the latest and most advanced procedures and if their approach aligns with your aesthetic goals. For example, if you want a natural - looking result, choose a doctor known for achieving such outcomes.
Patient Reviews and Testimonials
Read patient reviews and testimonials to get an idea of other patients' experiences with the doctor. Positive reviews and satisfied patients are a good sign of a doctor's competence and bedside manner.
Surgical Case Photos
Ask to see surgical case photos of the doctor's previous patients. These photos can give you a clear idea of the doctor's skills and the type of results they can achieve.
Communication and Comfort
During your consultation, pay attention to how well the doctor communicates with you. They should be able to explain the procedure in detail, answer all your questions, and make you feel comfortable. A good doctor - patient relationship is essential for a successful outcome.
Conclusion
In New York City, there are several highly skilled doctors who can help improve facial sagging. Doctors like Dr. Andrew Jacono, Dr. Steven Pearlman, Dr. Philip Miller, Dr. Richard Swift, and Dr. Adam Kolker each have their own unique specialties, techniques, and approaches. By carefully considering factors such as credentials, experience, techniques, patient reviews, and surgical case photos, you can make an informed decision and choose the right doctor for your facial sagging improvement needs.
If you are considering a procedure to improve facial sagging, we encourage you to schedule consultations with multiple doctors on this list. Discuss your concerns and goals, and take the time to review their surgical case photos. This will help you find the doctor who can provide you with the best possible results and a satisfying experience. Share this article with friends and family who may also be interested in facial sagging improvement, and continue exploring related topics to stay informed about the latest advancements in facial rejuvenation.
