COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF THE AGING FACE - CUTANEOUS AND STRUCTURAL REJUVENATION

As people age, characteristic changes occur in the skin, the soft tiss ue envelope, and the bony skeleton of the face and result in the aging face syndrome, An understanding of the pertinent biomechanical and hi stologic changes is necessary for developing an appropriate treatment plan, The advent of many new techniques, including cosmetic exfoliatio n, laser skin resurfacing, open rhinoplasty, and endoscopic, multiplan e plastic surgical procedures, has enhanced therapy for the aging face syndrome. Treatment protocols should be individualized for each patie nt's needs and desires. Several of these recent treatments for facial rejuvenation are reviewed herein.