More and more surgeons try to relift sunken facial features using Aptos or barbed sutures made of nylon or resorbable materials. The sutures have small hooks and are laid in a loop from the temples to the cheeks. The method has not been fully scientifically endorsed and some complications have already been reported.

The idea that beauty is relative is only partially correct. Our perception of a beautiful face depends on certain characteristics and features.  Dr. Dr. Frank Muggenthaler has developed a beauty test which allows the beauty of a face to be precisely evaluated and assessed in the form of a grade between 0 and 100. Even laymen can easily carry out this test.

Using the biological implant, hyaluronic acid, extensive corrections can be made to the signs of aging on the face and many imbalances in the harmony of the face can be corrected.  Dr. Dr. Frank Muggenthaler has developed a procedure (BeautyFacing) which identifies the factors disturbing the harmony and specifically targets these in his treatment.

If the eyebrows are positioned low either naturally or through aging, the eyes appear small, tired or even unfriendly. By correcting the upper lids, the eyebrows would be  pulled even further downwards, making the overall appearance even worse. On the other hand, lifting the eyebrows opens the look of the eyes and creates more harmonious facial proportions. The intervention can be carried out by endoscope to be minimally invasive, or by an incision at the hairline. After only a few days the face appears younger and more expressive. 

In a multi-layer facelift the mimetic facial muscles  (SMAS) are raised and tightened.  Excess fat on the cheeks and neck is removed and a natural tension is restored to the slack skin of the face. The intervention is carried out under a light or general anaesthesia.  The incisions are positioned so that they are practically invisible later. After about two weeks the patients can resume normal activities. After a facelift, the face appears about ten years younger. 

The techiques of Facelifting have constantly improved over the past years. A multi layer lifting (SMAS - Lifting) can restore the youthful shape of a face. Unnatural excessive stretching of the skin is no longer an issue. Thanks to skilful incision and suturing techniques, practically no visible scars are left. Patients can resume their normal social activities after only 10 to 14 days and appear about 10 years younger.

Signs of aging not only affect the face but are also particularly noticeable on the neck.  The neck becomes slacker and fat deposits may collect under the chin.  Strong expressive muscles also draw the face downwards. This makes the face appear old and ponderous. A neck lifting raises the skin, subcutaneous layers of fat and expressive muscles. The result is a slimmer, better-defined neck with clear contours to the lower jaw and with no sign of slackening. The face appears significantly younger and more expressive. 

The shape of the chin and lower jaw plays a key role in the harmonious appearance of the face and neck. A receding chin and very narrow jaw make the face appear  weak or soft and disturb the clear definition of the neck.  Through a small incision in the mucous membrane of the mouth, silicone or Goretex implants can be inserted or the contours can be built up by using injections of the patient´s own fat.
If the chin is too prominent, bone can be removed or repositioned. This also takes place via an incision in the mucous membrane of the mouth.
A chin correction is often carried out in combination with other interventions such as a nose correction or a face lifting.

The assumption that the attractiveness of a neck is relative is only true to a limited extent. Our perception of a beautiful neck depends on certain characteristics and features.  Dr. Dr. Frank Muggenthaler has developed a beauty test which allows the beauty of a neck to be precisely evaluated and assessed in the form of a grade between 0 and 100. Even laymen can easily carry out this test. The test enables the surgeon to define the proper treatment for obtaining optimal results.

Whether a face is considered beautiful and attractive depends to a very large extent on its proportions and decisive features. The nose, chin and cheekbones are very important for the over all harmony. The analysis of the face is based on the Golden Ratio, which gives a highly reliable definition of the harmonious proportions of a face. This is of great value in planning the optimal treatment. Taking this as a guideline, the chin and cheeks can be correspondingly  built up with implants or the patient´s own fat or an over-prominent chin can be  reduced in size. Even the shape of the nose can be accordingly modified  to match the harmonious ideal.

To improve the look of a face, a thorough assessment of all facial features is mandatory. The optimal corrections can then be directly deducted. Dr. Dr. Frank Muggenthaler has developed a procedure (Qualiface), which serves both purposes. This enables the optimum harmonisation and rejuvenation of the face to be achieved with targeted yet gentle treatment.

Eyebrows which are sunken at the sides and a slackening of the lower lids can make a face appear tired even in young years. Lifting the temples is a small intervention which significantly rejuvenates the central and lateral face.

As a result of slackening due to age and over-active mimetic facial muscles, the eyebrows may drop downwards and deep vertical and horizontal lines establish on the forehead. The face may then appear tired or even unfriendly, in contrast to our feelings. It would be a fatal mistake to remove only the seemingly excessive skin on the eyelid. Instead, the eyebrows should be lifted and the hyperdynamic mimetic muscles have to be weakened. This is successfully achieved through a forehead lifting. Incisions are made in the hairline or in the hair and are practically invisible later. After only a few days the region of the eyes is larger and the face appears younger and friendlier.

From about the age of 35, visible slackening may occur in the central cheek and midface. The face starts to look tired and tense. Over the past few years skilled techniques have been developed to precisely position different layers of the mimetic muscles  (SMAS) and the skin into the original position. The intervention is carried out under twilight anesthesia and takes about two hours. After one to two weeks the patients are able to resume normal social activities and appear about ten years younger.

• Glossary