Method of laser cosmetic surgery

Abstract

Laser surgery is utilized to perform cosmetic surgery. A quartz fiber is used to direct the laser energy to the target area for the incision, division or resection of tissue. An endoscope may be utilized in conjunction with the quartz fiber to perform the cosmetic surgical techniques. One application utilizes laser energy to eliminate glabellar frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles. Another application employs laser energy to rectify brow descent. A further application uses laser energy to perform a neck lift. In yet another application, laser energy is utilized to reduce nasolabial folds. The use of laser energy in cosmetic surgical procedures greatly reduces the size of the incision required in the skin to perform cosmetic surgical procedures, and as a result greatly reduces the risks of potential complications.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of cosmetic surgery for reducing nasolabial folds comprising: placing an eye protection device on a patient;   marking an infraorbital foramen and a nerve corridor on a portion of skin of said patient;   performing a small transconjuctival or eyelid incision in the skin for inserting a laser transmitting means and surgical instruments such as retractors, balloon retractors, elevators, and/or hooks;   inserting a laser transmitting means beneath the skin;   performing a preseptal dissection with laser energy from the laser transmitting means;   dividing an orbital septum;   identifying a nasolabial fold area by laser section with the laser energy from said laser transmitting means;   suturing soft tissue of a nasolabial fold upward; and   closing the incision.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering laser energy having a wavelength ranging from 532 to 1060 nanometer from said laser transmitting means. 
     
     
       3. A method of cosmetic surgery for reducing nasolabial folds comprising: placing an eye protection device on a patient;   marking an intraorbital foramen and a nerve corridor on a portion of skin of the patient;   performing a small transconjunctival or eyelid incision in the skin of a patient for inserting an endoscope with a channel containing a laser transmitting quartz optical fiber with a diameter ranging from 300 to 700 micrometer and a tip diameter ranging from 100 to 250 micrometer and/or surgical instruments;   inserting the endolaser beneath the skin;   performing a preseptal dissection with laser energy from the endolaser;   dividing an orbital septum;   identifying a nasolabial fold area by laser section with the laser energy from said endolaser;   suturing soft tissue of a nasolabial fold upward; and   closing the incision.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 further comprising delivering laser energy having a wavelength ranging from 532 to 1060 nanometer from said endolaser.