Minimally invasive face-lifting: S-Lift and S-Plus Lift rhytidectomies

Limited-incision facial rejuvenation procedures are not new. A minimal-incision operation involving an elliptic skin excision preauricularly was described in 1963. Responding to the desires of many patients for a limited procedure with limited downtime, the S-Lift was described in 1999. The "short scar" face-lift has gained popularity with patients and surgeons. Much like endoscopic brow-lifting, there are clear advantages to more limited incisions in cosmetic procedures. The concepts of cosmetic surgery are evolving to earlier patient interventions with less aggressive procedures. Surgeons must recognize this trend and embrace less invasive, limited-incision techniques for these selected patients. Indeed, less may not always be more but, in many patients, it is more than enough.