2 mins
Novel breast lift techniques
This month, our columnist, cosmetic doctor and founder of Luxe Skin Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) shares his combination techniques for minimally invasive breast lifts
As non-surgical and minimally invasive facial treatments gain momentum, body procedures are also catching up. Energy-based devices are now more popular than ever, offering lipolysis, muscle definition and body contouring. For those wanting a more aggressive result, minimally invasive procedures are beginning to replace surgical ones, especially in mild to moderate cases. Liposuction with BodyTite has already helped some pre-abdominoplasty candidates. Another procedure that I believe will soon find its place in the realm of breast augmentation is a minimally invasive lift that uses a combination of BreasTite, autologous fat transfer and Spring Threads.
BREASTITE
FaceTite/NeckTite/BodyTite is already well-known in the UK. However, using this modality for lifting breasts and tightening décolletage is not as common in the UK as it is in the US. BreasTite is the term coined for BodyTite radiofrequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL) on the breast and chest area. The procedure is carried out under tumescent anaesthesia made up of sodium chloride, adrenaline, lidocaine, and sodium bicarbonate. The decolletage/breast area is infiltrated with the tumescent and the BodyTite probe is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, heating it to 38-42°C. This results in some lipolysis and contraction of the skin, lifting the breast.
AUTOLOGOUS FAT TRANSFER
Autologous fat transfer is a great complement to a breast lift. Fat is harvested using liposuction from another body part, such as the abdomen or inner thigh. The macro fat is then injected into the breast from an incision around the areola. Most of the fat is injected into the medial upper quadrant of the breast, resulting in the lifting and slight medial rotation of the breast, giving a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
PERMANENT SPRING THREADS
I have previously written about these permanent silicone threads for face and neck lifts with results lasting three to five years. There are also body threads which are thicker and longer. The thread contains multidirectional anchors on either side with a 50mm plain area in the middle and is inserted from the midline in the inferior aspect of the breast. The 50mm plain area forms a hammock under the breast while the two ends run on either side of the breast, terminating in the chest. Three threads are used on each breast to lift and anchor it.
Any one of the above three procedures when used in isolation would produce a mild lift. However, when all three are combined, a significant lift can be achieved, provided the right candidate is selected. Such a candidate would be someone with good-quality breast tissue and skin with mild to moderate sagginess. I believe this procedure will be most appropriate for patients in their 30s-50s who don’t want to undergo a mastopexy but still want an improvement in appearance.
DR USMAN QURESHI
Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) is a cosmetic doctor and founder of Luxe Skin by Doctor Q in Glasgow. He focuses on non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures for the face and body.