Chin Implant
This procedure is often used to increase the projection of the chin away from the face. It is often combined with rhinoplasty (nosejob) to give the illusion of a smaller nose and improve the overall contour of the face. It can also be used with rhytidectomy (facelift) without increasing how far the chin projects away from the face. In this instance it would be used to improve the shape and contour of the jaw and jowl.
Dermabrasion
This resurfacing technique is used to remove fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Facial plastic surgeons typically use this for perioral wrinkles around the mouth. This addresses the “texture” aspect of the “triad of aging.”
Dermal Fillers
These are mainly used to treat the “volume loss” aspect of the “triad of aging.” These are composed of either hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite. They are extremely safe and last from six months to 3 years. Injection of these fillers in the face is a very delicate and should be performed by a facial plastic surgeon.
Cleft Lobule
This is most commonly referred to as “ear lobe repair.” This can happen traumatically or as a reaction to a metal. The method of repair is critically important to having a satisfactory result, and patients should be informed how this can be prevented in the future.
Endoscopic Brow Lift
Also known as an endoscopic forehead lift, this technique replaced the old fashioned brow lifts that required incisions to be made across the scalp or forehead. This can be performed using only access points in the hair for instruments and an endoscope connected to a monitor. It is often combined with blepharoplasty or “upper lid lift” and other facial rejuvenation procedures such as the endoscopic midface lift or facelift.
Endoscopic Midface Lift
This modern technique has only been mastered by a handful of facial plastic surgeons in the world. Through the same access points as the endoscopic brow lift, the midface or cheeks can be elevated to their original youthful position. This then fills the hollows under the eyes, elevates the midface, effaces and improves the nasolabial fold (parenthesis lines around the mouth) and decreases the appearance of the jowls.
Facial Plastic Terms
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
This procedure is also referred to as a “lower lift.” It is mainly used to improve the neck, jowls and jawline. It’s often described as “the best neck lift.” There are several techniques for performing this surgery, so results can vary tremendously from one surgeon to the next.
Fat Grafting to the Face
This facial plastic procedure is used to treat the “volume loss” component of the “triad of aging.” Fat is removed with a tiny cannula from the abdomen using a liposuction technique and then placed into deficient areas of the face using a fine needle. The percentage of fat that “takes” will be permanent and this percentage is extremely technique dependent.
Hair Transplantation or Restoration
There are two modern techniques for achieving completely natural looking results. FUT (follicular unit transplantation) refers to removal of the donor hair from the back of the scalp using a fine incision. FUE (follicular unit extraction) refers to removal of each follicular unit separately as a punch.
Laser Resurfacing
Several lasers can be used for this procedure which removes fine lines and evens skin tones. It is commonly used around the eyes, especially in conjunction with blepharoplasty. This addresses the “texture” aspect of the “triad of aging.”
Liposuction
Facial plastic surgeons use this procedure to remove fat and recontour the neck or submental area. It is often combined with a facelift (rhytidectomy) and neck lift (platysmaplasty).
Lower Blepharoplasty
Often referred to as “lower lid lift,” this procedure can now be performed using several different facial plastic surgery techniques. Bags, fat and excess eyelid skin can be removed and recontoured.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Often referred to as “upper lid lift,” this procedure is very often performed in conjunction with an endoscopic brow or forehead lift. It consists of excision and recontouring excess upper eye lid skin, fat and/or muscle.
BOTOX®
This is an injectable neuromodulator that actually weakens muscle movement to reduce the appearance of wrinkles with motion. Used appropriately, in the correct locations and the correct amounts, BOTOX® can result in a “chemical brow lift.”
Chemical Peel or Resurfacing
Facial plastic surgeons use this procedure to even skin tones, lighten dark spots and remove fine lines from the face. This addresses the “texture” aspect of the “triad of aging.”
Mohs Reconstruction
Facial plastic surgeons typically repair the defect created after a dermatologist removes a skin cancer using this technique.
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
This is referred to as platysmaplasty amongst plastic surgeons. It is most commonly used simultaneously with a facelift (rhytidectomy) to improve the submental area or neck.
Otoplasty
This is also called “ear pinning.” It can be used to reposition different part of the ear and/or to the set the entire ear closer to the skull.
Rhinoplasty
Often referred to as “nose job,” this procedure is considered by most to be one of the most challenging operations in surgery. Even super specialists like facial plastic surgeons find this procedure to be one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of their practices.