New Technologies in Facial Plastic Surgery

Aesthetic surgery is unique among the medical disciplines as many of its advances are created in industry, not the academic laboratory. Patients and surgeons are relentlessly searching for effective solutions that maximize results while minimizing recovery time. Consequently, the pace of innovation can easily outstrip the ability of the facial plastic surgeon to stay abreast of the latest developments.

This issue highlights the exciting developments that are happening at the forefront of technology in our specialty. Historically, lasers have been applied to the surface of the skin to counteract the effects of aging. Several authors in this issue discuss novel uses for lasers under the skin to contour the subcutaneous fat and tighten the dermis. On the cellular level, platelet gels and stem cells are promising new methods to achieve long-lasting results and shorten recovery time. In addition, the state of the art in craniofacial implants, hair transplantation, and facial reanimation are thoroughly examined.

I thank the authors who contributed their time and expertise to this issue. The innovations described by these surgeons have great potential to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. I am grateful to Anthony Sclafani, M.D., for his guidance and patience with the preparation of this issue of Facial Plastic Surgery and am honored to have participated in this endeavor. I would also like to thank the authors for their hard work and insight in preparing these papers. I hope that you find this issue as illuminating as I did.