As we age, sagging facial muscles become a common concern, especially in bustling cities like New York City. The "apple muscles," or the prominent area of the cheeks, often show signs of sagging, which can make a person look tired and older. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to address this issue. Here is a comprehensive top - five list of solutions for improving sagging apple muscles in New York City.
1. Facelift Surgeries
Facelift surgeries are a well - known and effective way to tackle sagging apple muscles. These surgical procedures are performed by experienced plastic surgeons and can provide long - lasting results.
Types of Facelift Surgeries
- Mini Facelift: Ideal for younger patients looking to correct moderate signs of aging. This procedure focuses on the mid - face and jawline. Incisions are carefully concealed behind the ears. It can address sagging tissue in the lower half of the face, and since it draws lax tissue upwards toward the ears, it can offer mild improvement to the upper neck. Dr. John E. Sherman is one of the plastic surgeons in New York City who specializes in this type of facelift. The mini - facelift allows him to restore definition to the chin and jawline.
- Short - Scar Facelift: Surgeons like Dr. John E. Sherman, who has over 20 years of experience in this technique, use small incisions made on the facial skin that borders the ear and along the back of the ear. This allows optimal access to reposition fat deposits, skin, and underlying structures in the mid - face area to be lifted and tightened successfully without leaving obvious surgical marks or affecting the hairline.
- Deep Plane Facelift: Dr. Sam Rizk is an expert in deep plane facelift and extended deep plane facelift. In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon accesses the facial muscles through incisions in the hairline at the temples, extends these incisions down in front of the ear (possibly into the creases), and continues them behind the earlobe to end in or near the lower scalp. This type of facelift provides more significant results than a traditional facelift, but also has a longer recovery period. However, Dr. Rizk is able to minimize recovery time as well as the appearance of scarring by placing the incisions in very specific locations.
Benefits of Facelift Surgeries
- Lifted and tightened skin in the cheek area, reducing sagging of the apple muscles.
- Restored youthful, energetic facial appearance.
- Removal of wrinkles and frown lines around the cheeks.
- Elimination of excess tissue around the jawline for better definition.
- Repositioning and remodeling of the fat pads in the face that shift with age for fuller, more elevated cheeks.
Recovery and Considerations
Recovery time for facelift surgeries can vary depending on the type of facelift and the individual patient. Patients may experience mild bruising, swelling, and discomfort in the first few days to weeks after the surgery. It is important to follow the surgeon's post - operative instructions, which may include wearing a compression garment, taking prescribed medications, and avoiding strenuous activities. Ideal candidates for facelift surgeries should be in good physical health, willing to stop smoking, and have positive yet realistic expectations of the procedure.
2. Non - Surgical Facelifts
Non - surgical facelifts are a popular alternative for those who want to improve sagging apple muscles without going under the knife. These procedures use a combination of injectable fillers and thermal energy therapy to stimulate collagen production and temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
Popular Non - Surgical Facelift Treatments
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable dermal fillers such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Sculptra, Radiesse, and Voluma can restore lost volume in the cheeks and smooth lines and wrinkles. These fillers contain compounds like calcium hydroxylapatite, hyaluronic acid, and polyalkylimide. They typically last between 6 and 12 months. For example, Sculptra helps to add volume back to the face by stimulating the body to produce new collagen at the injection sites, effectively lifting the apple muscles and restoring a fuller, more youthful appearance.
- Ultherapy: This is an FDA - approved treatment for skin tightening. It uses ultrasound energy to reach deeper layers of tissue and skin to induce collagen production. It can be safely used on the face, specifically targeting the apple muscles. The handheld device delivers the right amount of energy at the right depths, bypassing the upper layers of the skin. Results build gradually over 2 to 3 months and can last about 2 years. Dr. Jacono is among the doctors in New York City who offers ultherapy as part of non - surgical facelift treatments.
- Thermitight: Thermitight directs radiofrequency energy into the neck and jawline area, which can also have an impact on the apple muscles. A small electrode is inserted under the skin to melt away fat and tighten muscles, reversing skin laxity and other unwanted signs of aging. Results typically last 3 to 5 years.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non - Surgical Facelifts
Advantages: Fast procedure time, little discomfort, no general anesthesia, and significantly cheaper than a surgical facelift. Disadvantages: Less dramatic results, outcomes do not last as long, and repeat visits can become costly.
3. Skin Tightening Procedures
There are several skin tightening procedures available in New York City that can help improve the appearance of sagging apple muscles by stimulating collagen production and firming the skin.
Popular Skin Tightening Procedures
- Ultherapy: As mentioned earlier, it uses high - intensity focused ultrasound technology to heat and stimulate collagen production in the deepest dermis layer of skin. It can be used on the face, neck, jowls, chin, and chest. Patients can see changes within several weeks of the initial treatment and more visible results within 2 - 3 months as collagen production increases.
- Sofwave: This skin tightening treatment uses synchronous ultrasound parallel beam array technology to heat the mid - dermis at the optimal depth while bypassing the outer layer of skin. The sound waves transform into heat and stimulate the body’s natural healing response to increase collagen production and tighten loose skin. The procedure takes approximately 45 - 60 minutes, and patients can see complete results within 12 weeks as collagen production increases over time.
- Fraxel: Fraxel re:pair is an FDA - approved CO2 laser that works on a cellular level. The laser creates tiny wounds in the dermis at precise depths to treat various skin concerns, including sagging skin. The micro - channels stimulate collagen production and cell renewal to tighten loose skin and smooth lines and wrinkles. Many patients have significant results with one treatment, but multiple sessions can be scheduled for optimal results. Results may vary, but many patients see results within 3 - 14 days once the skin is healed.
Recovery and Results
Most skin tightening procedures have minimal downtime. Patients may experience mild redness, swelling, or tenderness after the treatment, similar to a sunburn. It is important to protect the skin from the sun during the healing process. Results can vary depending on the procedure, but generally, patients can expect to see an improvement in skin firmness and a reduction in sagging over time.
4. Liposuction for Facial Contouring
Liposuction is not only used for body contouring but can also be used for facial contouring, which can indirectly improve the appearance of sagging apple muscles by removing excess fat and re - defining the facial contours.
Facial Liposuction Process
Dr. David Rapaport, a well - known plastic surgeon in New York City, performs liposuction in the facial area using the tumescent technique. This involves injecting a dilute solution of lidocaine as a local anesthetic and epinephrine to control bleeding prior to the actual suctioning of the fatty tissue. A small cannula is inserted via a tiny puncture in the skin to carefully remove the excess fat. The procedure is generally performed while the patient is comfortably sedated by a board - certified anesthesiologist.
Benefits for Sagging Apple Muscles
By removing excess fat from the cheeks and surrounding areas, liposuction can help to re - contour the face, making the apple muscles appear more lifted and defined. It can also improve the overall facial profile and reduce the appearance of fullness in the lower face, which can contribute to the appearance of sagging apple muscles.
Recovery and Considerations
Recovery from facial liposuction is relatively quick. Most patients can return to work within a few days and resume normal activities within a week. There may be some swelling and bruising in the treated area, but these usually subside within a few weeks. It is important to follow the surgeon's post - operative instructions, which may include wearing a compression garment and avoiding strenuous activities.
5. Collagen Induction Therapy
Collagen induction therapy (CIT) is a treatment that can help improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin, including the area of the apple muscles. Two common methods of CIT are microneedling and laser treatment.
Microneedling
Microneedling involves using a device with fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin. This stimulates the body's natural healing response, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. At Tribeca MedSpa in New York City, they offer microneedling with Morpheus8 RF, which is the latest generation of microneedling technology that uses radio frequency energy to specifically target sagging skin on the face, neck, hands, and body. Microneedling can improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten the skin around the apple muscles.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatments, such as ablative and non - ablative lasers, can also stimulate collagen production. Ablative lasers remove the thin outer layer of the skin while heating up and tightening underlying tissue, which also stimulates collagen growth. Non - ablative lasers heat up and tighten underlying tissue without removing the outer layer of the skin, promoting the production of new collagen. Laser treatments can be customized to the specific needs of the patient and can effectively improve the appearance of sagging apple muscles.
Recovery and Results
Recovery time for CIT can vary depending on the intensity of the treatment. After microneedling, the skin may be red and slightly swollen for a few days. Laser treatments may require more downtime, especially ablative lasers. Results from CIT typically improve over time as the body produces more collagen, leading to firmer and more elastic skin in the apple muscle area.
Conclusion
In New York City, there are a variety of options available for improving sagging apple muscles. Whether you prefer surgical or non - surgical methods, there is a solution that can meet your needs and expectations. Facelift surgeries offer long - lasting and dramatic results, while non - surgical facelifts, skin tightening procedures, liposuction for facial contouring, and collagen induction therapy provide less invasive alternatives with various levels of effectiveness and recovery times.
Before deciding on any treatment, it is crucial to consult with a qualified medical professional, such as a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. They can assess your individual situation, discuss the pros and cons of each treatment, and help you make an informed decision. Take the time to research different providers and read patient testimonials to ensure you are in good hands. If you're interested in improving your sagging apple muscles, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional in New York City today and take the first step towards a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
