Ultrasonic Facelift Montreal

• Comprehensive facial and neck contouring: This procedure addresses midface descent, jowling, and neck laxity as a continuous unit rather than treating each area separately.
  
  
• Salivary gland management for jawline definition: Sonicision ultrasonic dissection enables contouring of prominent submandibular glands, a source of neck fullness that standard facelifts leave unaddressed.
  
  
• Controlled tissue coagulation: Ultrasonic energy provides precise coagulation with limited thermal spread, which may reduce certain surgical risks compared to traditional electrocautery.
  
  
• Natural-looking structural results: The deep plane technique repositions tissue vertically, lifting against gravity rather than pulling laterally. The goal is a refreshed appearance, not a “windswept” one.
  
  
• Facial nerve preservation: The Sonicision’s controlled energy delivery and the deep plane’s dissection plane above the facial nerve branches work together to protect delicate nerve structures.
  
  
• Published research support: A 2025 peer-reviewed study demonstrated favorable outcomes when using Sonicision for submandibular gland management during facelift surgery.

Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

The deep plane facelift is a well-established rhytidectomy technique that works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) to reposition the foundational tissues responsible for facial support. Unlike traditional facelifts that primarily tighten the skin, this approach releases key retaining ligaments and lifts the SMAS along with the platysma muscle in the neck as a unified composite flap.

This means the surgeon is addressing the root causes of facial aging (descended fat pads, loosened ligaments, and muscle laxity) rather than simply pulling on surface tissue.

Sonicision Ultrasonic Dissection Technology

The Sonicision is a cordless ultrasonic dissection device that uses piezoelectric technology for precise soft tissue coagulation and dissection. It converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibration at approximately 55,500 cycles per second, creating controlled heat at the instrument tip through friction.

What makes this technology relevant to facelift surgery is its selectivity. The ultrasonic energy differentiates between tissue types, allowing controlled coagulation of soft tissues while limiting thermal spread to surrounding structures — a meaningful advanta

Important: Individual results vary based on each patient's anatomy, skin quality, degree of aging, and other factors. A consultation is necessary to determine if this procedure is appropriate for your situation.

Deep Plane vs. Traditional SMAS Facelift Techniques

When these structures aren’t addressed during a facelift, patients may retain fullness that limits jawline definition and the cervicomental angle (the angle between the chin and neck).

When submental fat is removed during a neck lift without addressing a prominent submandibular gland, the gland can actually become more noticeable, creating an unnatural contour.

The ultrasonic facelift with Sonicision addresses this gap. The device’s controlled coagulation is designed for glandular tissue, reducing the risk of salivary complications while enabling the contouring that standard facelift approaches cannot provide.

How Sonicision Benefits the Ultrasonic Facelift

The Sonicision’s ultrasonic energy coagulates glandular tissue with limited thermal spread, which may reduce the risk of postoperative salivary leak compared to electrocautery. Unlike traditional cautery, the heat is generated through mechanical friction at the instrument tip rather than electrical current passing through tissue. This controlled delivery may help protect nearby nerve branches.

The cordless handpiece also allows precise manipulation in the tight surgical spaces around the jaw and neck where facial nerve proximity demands careful technique.

Candidacy Factors

A consultation is required to determine whether the ultrasonic facelift is right for you. Key factors include overall health status, skin quality and elasticity, the degree and pattern of your facial aging, realistic expectations, and individual anatomy including salivary gland prominence.

The procedure is most commonly performed on patients in their 50s and 60s, though candidates can range from the late 40s to the 70s and beyond depending on health and goals. Age alone does not determine candidacy.

Schedule a consultation to discuss whether the ultrasonic facelift with Sonicision is the right choice for your goals. CTA: Book Now

Ultrasonic Facelift Surgical Steps

1. Incision Placement Incisions follow the temporal hairline, the natural crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear, and into the occipital hairline. They are designed to sit in natural creases and hair-bearing areas where they are less visible.
2. Deep Plane Dissection The surgeon enters beneath the SMAS layer, releases the zygomatic, masseteric, and mandibular ligaments, and elevates the SMAS-platysma as a continuous composite flap while dissecting carefully above the facial nerve branches.
3. Platysma Management The platysma muscle is elevated, repositioned, and plicated at the midline if banding is present, creating a unified neck contour.
4. Salivary Gland Contouring with Sonicision When indicated by individual anatomy, the submandibular gland is exposed and its superficial portion contoured using the Sonicision ultrasonic dissector. The marginal mandibular nerve is identified and protected throughout. Not all patients require this step.
5. Tissue Repositioning The composite flap is repositioned vertically, securing the SMAS-platysma to stable deep structures. The midface, jowl, and neck are corrected as one continuous unit.
6. Skin Redraping and Closure Skin is redraped over the repositioned structures, excess is removed without tension, and precise suturing minimizes scarring. Drains are placed if indicated.

Recovery After Ultrasonic Facelift Surgery

Recovery varies between individuals. The following is a general guide:

Swelling is most pronounced the first week and improves gradually over 3 to 6 months. Bruising typically resolves within 2 to 3 weeks. Temporary numbness around the ears and cheeks is normal and usually returns over weeks to months. Incision lines continue to fade for up to a year.

Potential Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, the ultrasonic facelift carries risks that are discussed thoroughly during your consultation.

General Surgical Risks

• Bleeding and hematoma: may require drainage
• Infection: rare; treated with antibiotics or intervention
• Poor wound healing: may result in widened scars
• Anesthesia-related risks: discussed with the anesthesia team

Procedure-Specific Risks

• Nerve injury: temporary weakness or numbness is not uncommon; permanent injury is rare but possible
• Asymmetry: some degree exists naturally and may persist
• Skin irregularities: contour irregularities or redundancy may occur
• Hair loss: temporary or permanent near incision sites
• Earlobe distortion: changes to shape or position
• Unsatisfactory result: outcomes may differ from expectations
• Revision surgery: additional procedures may be needed

Risks Related to Salivary Gland Contouring

• Sialocele: saliva accumulation; may resolve on its own or require treatment
• Salivary fistula: abnormal drainage; rare with proper technique
• Marginal mandibular nerve injury: may cause temporary or permanent lower lip weakness

The procedure aims to achieve natural-appearing rejuvenation with improved cheek, jawline, and neck contours, restored structural support from repositioned tissues, a sharper cervicomental angle, and a more defined jawline including management of salivary gland prominence when indicated.

Results vary significantly between individuals. No surgical procedure stops aging — your face will continue to age naturally, though from a more rejuvenated baseline. Photographs of other patients are examples only and do not guarantee similar outcomes. Longevity depends on genetics, lifestyle, sun exposure, and skin care.

Two things. First, it uses the deep plane technique, which works beneath the SMAS to reposition deeper facial structures rather than just tightening skin. Second, it incorporates Sonicision ultrasonic technology for salivary gland contouring that standard facelifts don’t include. Together, these allow more comprehensive facial and neck contouring.

When performed by a surgeon trained in head and neck anatomy, yes. Published research on Sonicision ultrasonic dissection has shown favorable outcomes compared to electrocautery. That said, risks exist with any surgical technique and are discussed thoroughly during consultation.

The submandibular glands are one of three pairs. When partial contouring is performed, the remaining glands — including the parotid and sublingual glands — continue functioning normally. Partial reduction typically does not cause noticeable changes in saliva production.

Results vary by individual. Deep plane results are generally considered long-lasting because the technique addresses underlying structural changes rather than surface tension. Longevity depends on genetics, skin quality, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Realistic expectations are discussed during your consultation.

The timeline is similar to other comprehensive facelift techniques. Some patients report less visible bruising because more of the swelling sits beneath the SMAS layer, but this varies. Most patients return to social activities within two to four weeks.

Cosmetic procedures are not covered by RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec). Complete pricing is provided during consultation based on your individualized treatment plan.