Facial Plastic Surgery

Several cosmetic surgeries, including the brow lift, eyelid, and lip lift have consistently been popular among the middle-aged and older generation. However, these procedures have recently gained popularity among younger patients and are being requested by a younger group of people more often than ever before.

The possibility of enhancing or slightly modifying facial features to achieve a specific look through a simple surgical procedure is becoming increasingly common. In the past, many people thought that facial cosmetic surgery consisted of highly invasive procedures that were only suitable for making dramatic changes to the face. However, today’s generation is becoming more aware of just how versatile cosmetic surgery can be, which applies to both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. So, although you may not think you’re quite ready for intensive or “age-defying” plastic surgery, these procedures may be the perfect option to make small, but noticeable cosmetic changes to your face.

Brow Lift Facial Plastic Surgery

A brow lift, which is also often referred to as a forehead lift, is a procedure that helps improve the appearance of horizontal forehead wrinkles and frown lines, and lift sagging or drooping eyebrows. During a brow lift, a patient‚Äôs facial skin in the forehead region is lifted in a manner that tightens the skin and repositions underlying muscle and tissue, leaving the patient with a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance. 

Brow lift surgery can be performed using two different techniques—classic or endoscopic lift. A classic brow lift involves the surgeon making one continuous incision along the hairline, starting just above the area at the top of the ears. Following the natural hairline helps to conceal the surgical scars. During an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will make a few short incisions along the hairline and use a scope or small cameral to adjust the brow area to diminish wrinkles and sagging skin. Brow lift surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, and although a small degree of swelling and bruising is common following the procedure, most patients typically recover in 10-14 days.

Lip Lift Facial Plastic Surgery

Made famous by numerous celebrities, a lip lift offers patients with unflattering or thin lips an opportunity to achieve a plump, full, and more voluptuous pout. Often, the area between the lip and nose, clinically referred to as the philtrum, begins to elongate with age, causing lips to become thinner and disproportionate to the face. Many patients choose lip fillers as a means of adding fullness to their lips. However, patients should understand that the results achieved using lip fillers are only temporary.  

Unlike lip fillers, a lip lift is a permanent surgical procedure that involves removing tissue under the nose and lifting the mouth to expose more of the lip. Results of lip lift surgery include fuller lips and a noticeably more youthful, symmetrical facial appearance that lasts for a long time. Like the brow lift, lip lift surgery can also be performed under local anesthesia. Patients should expect mild discomfort, swelling, and tightness in the affected area during the recovery phase. However, most patients fully recover in 5-7 days.  

Fun Fact: some women have “duck lips” because their philtrum is too long. These patients tend to be the best candidates for lip lift in comparison to dermal filler lip augmentation.

Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

Many people believe that large, round eyes are one of the most appealing aspects of a person‚Äôs face. This is likely one of the reasons why the eyelid lift is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for the face. Patients plagued with droopy or puffy eyes or those with excess and sagging skin in the eye area often choose eyelid lift surgery. Not only does an eyelid lift correct the overall appearance of the eye region, but an eyelid lift can also make a person‚Äôs entire face appear more symmetrical. This is especially evident in patients where the size and shape of their eyelids are different or asymmetrical. In addition to achieving a more refreshed, youthful appearance, eyelid lift surgery also makes it possible for some patients to employ makeup techniques that they couldn‚Äôt wear prior. 

Eyelid lift surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. The procedure can be performed under either general or local anesthesia, depending on the patient and the complexity of their case. The recovery process for an eyelid lift is relatively straightforward. Most importantly, patients should protect their eyes from sun exposure after surgery until they have fully healed. Wearing dark, tinted sunglasses when exposed to direct sunlight or wind is imperative to protect the eyes from becoming irritated. It generally takes approximately 2 weeks for the average patient to fully recover from eyelid lift surgery.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Facial Plastic Surgery

Nothing is more adorable than a chubby-cheeked baby or child. But, once most people reach adult-hood, chubby cheeks are no longer appealing. For that reason, adults who have naturally, fuller faces and cheeks are good candidates for buccal fat pad removal. Unlike most cosmetic surgeries that are intended to offer a more youthful look, buccal fat pad removal aims to give the patient a more mature, less child-like appearance. By removing the buccal fat pad, the patient‚Äôs face immediately looks thinner and has a more defined appearance while diminishing the appearance of chubby cheeks.  

Buccal fat pad removal is a fairly simple procedure. It involves the surgeon making a small incision on the inside of the cheek through the mouth. The fat pad inside the cheek is removed through the incision, and finally, the surgeon closes the incision with dissolvable sutures. Buccal fat pad removal can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Sometimes it is necessary for a patient to use a medical-grade, disinfecting mouth rinse during the recovery phase, and maintaining a diet of soft or semi-liquid foods for the few days of recovery is recommended. Recovery time varies, but some patients fully recover within just a few weeks. Others may need up to 4 months to completely recover.

Implants: Facial Plastic Surgery

The cheeks, chin, and jaws are the areas of the face that most often show signs of aging and make a person appear older. Many patients elect to have these areas lifted, but for others having these areas enhanced with facial implants is a better option. Unlike fillers, implants are permanent and last forever. During the procedure, implants are placed and used to add volume, increase definition, promote symmetry, and correct birth or trauma defects. Another benefit of facial implants is that the procedure often inadvertently enhances the entire face.  

Most facial implant procedures are performed under general anesthesia, but some can be performed under local anesthesia. There will be some bruising and swelling following facial implant surgery and recovery will occur gradually. Ultimately, the time in which patients fully recover depends on the specific area where implants are placed. However, most patients fully recover within 1-3 weeks.

There are plastic surgeons who specialize in head and neck procedures. When looking for a facial plastic surgeon always make sure they are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and have the experience with the procedure you’re interested in. Book a virtual consultation with one of our plastic surgeons and get a free quote within one business day.