Small incision laser lift for forehead creases and glabellar furrows

A new technique for eliminating or reducing glabellar frown lines and forehead creases with a small (3- to 5-cm) incision, KTP (potassium [K]-titanyl-phosphate) laser (Laserscope), and endoscope (Karl Storz) has been performed on 62 patients over the last 18 months. This endolaser technique takes advantage of the unique properties of the frequency-doubled Nd:Yag (neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet) (KTP) laser coupled with an optimized quartz contact probe. It enables the surgeon to incise or excise the procerus, corrugator, and frontalis muscles, with little or no bleeding, at a distance from a small incision immediately behind the hairline. This small incision frontal lift has been as effective as the standard forehead lift in rejuvenation of the upper face, avoiding the paresthesias, scalp itch, headaches, periorbital ecchymosis, and hair loss that are common sequelae of the forehead lift. Recovery time has been markedly reduced.