Cosmetic Facial Procedures at the Emory Plastic and Reconstructive Sugery Center
Depending on the stage of maturation, certain plastic surgery procedures may be more suitable than others for enhancing physical appearance, making the initial consultation an essential component in determining precisely which procedure will be the safest, most appropriate and most effective for the patient.
Surgical Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Non-Surgical Cosmetic Facial Procedures
SURGICAL COSMETIC FACIAL PROCEDURES |
Facelift
Facelifts involve repositioning underlying facial tissues to a firmer position and then re-draping the skin to achieve a natural appearance. With age, fat is often lost or descends in the face and neck. Therefore, fat injections to the deeper lines may be recommended to enhance the natural results. Incisions are tailored to the patient's hairline and sideburns to minimize or eliminate alteration in hairstyle. Scars are strategically placed to minimize visibility.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Eyelid Surgery (Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty)
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is designed to reduce the puffiness and the folding around the upper and lower lids that may occur with aging or as the result of a familial tendency. "Circles" and "crow's feet" around the eyes can often be eliminated by removing excess skin or fat, creating a smooth transition from the eyelid to the cheek area. Typically, the necessary incisions heal well. For women, the standard objective is to restore a clean crease in the upper eyelids and to re-create a smooth, visible strip of skin above the lashes. The usual approach in men is more conservative, avoiding an accentuated crease.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Cheek Lift (Mid-Face Lift)
This procedure is performed through the lower blepharoplasty incision (see above) and produces a more natural elevation of the cheek area, which often begins to sag with aging. A cheek lift can be combined with a facelift for superior results and can also be performed on younger patients who are not candidates for a complete facelift.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Brow-Forehead Lift
Endoscopic or traditional approaches are used in this procedure to reposition the eyebrows, smooth the forehead and reduce the frown lines between the eyebrows. The endoscopic technique requires three small incisions behind the hairline, producing improved results with minimal scarring. A brow lift is often performed in conjunction with an upper eyelid lift for an enhanced, longer-lasting outcome.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Reparative or Reconstructive Facial Plastic Surgery
Many of the cosmetic facial procedures listed here can be applied to correcting problems caused by similar procedures performed elsewhere.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
One of the more common corrective or aesthetic plastic surgery procedures, nasal surgery can improve breathing and correct birth defects or traumatic injuries. In most patients, incisions are made inside the nose to reduce visible scarring.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
While ear surgery is usually performed on children that are approximately six years old to reposition prominent ears, it can be performed safely and effectively at any age. Typically, the surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear and then sculpts the cartilage to bend it back toward the head. Usually the procedure leaves a faint scar behind the ear that fades over time.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Facial Implants
Patients of all ages are candidates for facial implant surgery, designed to strengthen the appearance of the jaw line or balance the chin and cheekbones with the rest of the face by using implants manufactured from a variety of materials inserted into pockets under the skin.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Fat Grafting
Fat transfer involves liposuction of the patient's own fat cells for immediate injection into the face or other areas to correct deep lines, improve facial contour or to enlarge the lips, thereby avoiding the use of collagen or other fillers.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Laser Resurfacing
An improved, high-tech form of dermabrasion, laser resurfacing diminishes facial lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scarring and uneven pigmentation. Using Erbium lasers, damaged skin is removed layer by layer so that new cells can form during the healing process to produce a smoother and more flexible skin surface. The laser penetrates to a precise, controlled depth, reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
« Home Page, Emory Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center
NON-SURGICAL COSMETIC FACIAL PROCEDURES |
Botox (Botulinum Toxin)
Botox can be injected during an office visit to reduce the contraction of muscles that cause vertical frown lines between the eyebrows and "crow's feet" wrinkles around the eyes. Injections may be repeated every three to six months.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Microdermabrasion (Power Peel)
Performed without anesthesia, this painless skin resurfacing technique treats blemishes and fine wrinkles and can be used to prepare the face for laser resurfacing or a chemical peel. Recovery time is immediate.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Chemical Peel
Chemical solutions of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers; correcting blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation; removing pre-cancerous skin changes; and softening acne scars. AHAs are the mildest of the peel formulas, producing light peels and treating fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. TCA is used in different strengths, the most common uses being medium-depth peeling for deeper wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Facial Fillers
Purified collagen may be used instead of fat injections to flatten deep creases or smooth fine wrinkles. Facial fillers can be injected to define the lip line or to increase the size of the lips. Since the skin eventually absorbs most of the collagen, periodic touch-up injections are necessary.
« Back to Top, Cosmetic Facial Procedures
« Home Page, Emory Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center
|
