Your eyes have started to give away your age, so you decided to have eyelid surgery to make them look more youthful and to reduce any puffiness, wrinkles or other signs of aging in the area. While you might be aware that you’ll need to take it easy for a week or two after your surgery, one question that might be on your mind is when can you start wearing makeup again?
After eyelid surgery, you might want to wear makeup to cover any bruising from the procedure or to show off your newly youthful eyes. It’s important that you check in with your surgeon before applying concealer or mascara. Using cosmetics before your eye area has sufficiently healed can cause a number of problems.
In general, it’s best to wait for your incisions to heal before you break out the eyeshadow, liner or mascara again. Your makeup can cause a few problems if it gets near or in the incisions. One issue might be infection. Eye makeup tends to attract bacteria. If that bacteria gets in the incisions, you can end up with a nasty infection near your eye.
While an infection is a worst case scenario, makeup in the incisions can cause problems in other ways. It might simply irritate the eye area or the incision, which can be unpleasant enough and is a good reason to wait to apply makeup until your surgeon gives you the all-clear.
A more complicated problem that can occur if you apply cosmetics to the eye area before the incisions have healed is tattooing of the area. If pigmented or tinted makeup gets in the incision, and the incision heals over the makeup, there’s a chance that the area will remain permanently made up, as if you’ve tattooed that part of the eye area with your mascara or eyeliner.
Bruising can persist for about a week or so after your surgery. While trying to cover up your bruises in the first few days after eyelid surgery is usually not recommended and is often not worth the effort, since you aren’t going out in public, you might want to try concealing any discoloration once you feel well enough to get back on your feet.
Using concealer is tricky, even when you’re not trying to cover up large areas of bruising. Wait until your surgeon says it’s okay to use it, and ask for advice on the best products to use. Depending on your skin tone and the amount of bruising you have, you might need a thicker concealing cream or you may be able to get away with simply using some foundation in the area.
Certain colored concealers can also cover up bruising by creating contrast. Complementary colors are often used to cover up the area. For example, yellow concealers work best on purplish bruises. If you’re not dealing with bruising so much as redness, green concealers are often ideal.
Usually, you’ll want to wait a bit longer after the surgery before you start wearing real eye makeup, such as mascara or eyeshadow. Your situation may be different, but it’s often recommended that you wait about two weeks before putting on eye makeup after your surgery.
Eyelid surgery provides the perfect excuse for investing in a whole new set of eye makeup. Used mascara or eyeshadow might be contaminated with bacteria. While it might have been fine before you had surgery, the risk of infection is too much to keep using it afterwards.
Certain types of eyeshadow are best avoided in the first few weeks after your surgery. Steer clear of anything glittery, whether it’s your eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara. The same is true of frosted eyeshadow or any type of eyeshadow that flakes easily. You want to reduce the risk of having bits of makeup flake into your incisions while they’re healing.
Your surgeon can provide you with specific guidance on the types of makeup to avoid, the types that are best to use and the best time to start using cosmetics again after your procedure. Everyone heals slightly differently, so taking your doctor’s advice is often the best way to go.
Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Smith can give you an idea of what you can expect following eyelid surgery and when you can start using cosmetics again. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith at one of his two practices in , call today.
If you look back on your childhood years, you might remember a classmate who picked on you relentlessly. Kids can be cruel, calling attention to perceived flaws in their peers. Now that you have kids of your own, you most likely want to do everything you can to keep them from being bullied.
For some parents, that means deciding to have their child undergo ear surgery, or otoplasty, at a young age. While most other types of plastic surgery are reserved for adults or fully-grown teenagers, otoplasty is one surgery that can be performed on kids, and is in fact, actually recommended for that age group if the need arises.
No matter how old your child is, the decision to have ear surgery isn’t one to take lightly. There are a few things to think about, including his or her emotional maturity and how he or she might respond to the surgery.
There are a few reasons why you might think that ear surgery is a good option for your child. One common reason for the surgery is that the ears stick out or protrude from the sides of the head. The surgery can also be performed to reduce the size of very large ears or to fix ears that have folded over themselves.
Children’s ears are usually nearly fully grown by the time they are age 5, making the years between age 5 and 14 the ideal time for otoplasty. The ears are not only the right size when a child is younger, the cartilage is also still soft and malleable. It’s easier for a surgeon to shape and adjust the size of the ears when the procedure is performed on a younger person.
That doesn’t mean otoplasty can’t work on an adult. Fully grown people have ear surgery all of the time. But, having it done while a person is still a child can not only put a stop to any teasing or bullying, it can also make the surgery better.
Age is really just a number when it comes to ear surgery, though. Some children’s ears might be ready for the procedure, but their minds might not be. If your child seems very fearful about the idea of having surgery, it might be best to put it off for a few a years or to postpone it indefinitely. Your child should understand what the surgery will involve and how long the recovery period will take. If he or she protests a lot, it’s best not to push the idea.
It’s also recommended that you wait to schedule the surgery until your child is able to listen to and follow directions. Your surgeon will give very specific instructions for you and the child to follow after the surgery. Not following the instructions can slow down the healing or increase his or her risk for complications.
Your child’s health also plays a big part in determining if he or she is ready for otoplasty. If ear infections are a chronic problem, your surgeon will most likely recommend putting off the surgery until the infections clear up or until they are less of a common occurrence.
You’ll most likely want to schedule the surgery at a time that’s least likely to interfere with your child’s daily activities. Summer break is often recommended, but if your child is an avid swimmer or likes to play sports, scheduling otoplasty for the summer months can interfere with his or her activity schedule.
Another ideal time for ear surgery might be during your child’s winter holiday break, especially if it is a week or longer. In most cases, children need about five to seven days to recover from the surgery, after which they can head back to school. The surgeon will usually recommend waiting another few weeks before your child can go back to activities such as gym class or sports.
Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Stephen Smith is a fourth generation surgeon in . He can evaluate your child’s ears and let you know if ear surgery is the right choice at the moment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith at his , practice, call . You can also see Dr. Smith in Columbus, . Call 614-678-7180 to schedule an appointment today.
Wrinkles are just one sign of aging. A loss of volume on the face is another. While pronounced or chubby cheeks and a narrow chin signal youth, a wider jaw line and sunken cheeks add years to your appearance.
If you are bothered by a loss of volume in the facial area, you have a few options when it comes to restoring it.
Temporary options include using a dermal filler, such as Belotero. Fat transfer, also known as lipotransfer, is a more permanent option, but it might not be right for everyone.
Fat transfer might be a good option for you if youβve started to lose volume in the face. One commonly treated area is the cheek area. Everyone is born with pads of fat, known as the malar pads, just above their cheekbones. While it might seem like youβre gaining fat everywhere else on your body as you get older, youβre losing fat from the malar, or cheek, area. The result is cheeks that look sunken and an under eye area that seems more prominent.
The cheeks arenβt the only part of the face to lose fat and volume as you age. The lips also lose volume and become thinner. If you find that your lips are very thin or almost invisible, injecting fat into them will plump them up.
Another way to tell if fat transfer is right for you is to look at the amount of fat you have on the rest of your body. The procedure involves using your own fat, not someone elseβs. Itβs usually harvested from areas where there is an ample amount of extra fat, such as the thighs or abdomen. While part of the lipotransfer procedure involves liposuction, in many cases, the amount of liposuction isnβt enough to make a big difference in your overall size and appearance.
Still, youβll need to have enough fat on your body for the surgeon to successfully perform liposuction. If youβre not a candidate for liposuction because you are very thin or donβt have fat to spare, your surgeon will let you know of other options for filling in your face.
Being in good health is critically important before deciding to undergo fat transfer. If youβre a smoker, youβll be asked to quit for several weeks before or after the surgery. Smoking slows down healing and affects your circulation. Your surgeon might advise against the procedure if you have any other circulation issues in your body.
Itβs also helpful to have a realistic idea of what to expect from the surgery. The liposuction portion of fat transfer wonβt help you lose substantial amounts of weight. Itβs typically recommended that you be at or near your ideal weight before any type of liposuction.
Adding volume to your face will help you look younger. But, it wonβt change your overall appearance. You wonβt go into the procedure looking like one person and leave looking like a completely different person. Instead, youβll most likely look somewhat refreshed afterwards.
Fat transfer is a multi-step process. First, the fat is harvested from the body. Then, it needs to be purified to remove any debris from it and to ensure that the transfer is effective. Finally, it is injected into the desired area. The procedure is more complicated than a simple injection, but worth it for many.
You will want to take some time off of work to give your body a chance to heal following lipotransfer. The recovery period isnβt so long after fat transfer as it is after surgery, but isnβt as quick as the recovery from an injectable filler. The incisions from the liposuction will need time to heal and your face will need to time to adjust to the newly injected fat.
Your surgeon might inject more fat than desired in the final look. Your body might naturally absorb some of the fat as it heals. It can take a few weeks for the swelling to decrease substantially and for you to see the results you were hoping for. Once the swelling goes down, you can expect to enjoy the results for a long time. The duration of results varies from person to person. In some cases, your body might reabsorb enough of the fat that you need a second injection.
Dr. Stephen Smith offers lipotransfer to patients at in . To learn more about the procedure and find out if itβs the right pick for you, call (614) 702-7342 to schedule a consultation today.
While you may experience some discomfort after your rhinoplasty procedure, and your nose might feel a bit strange for a few days, in most cases the recovery period is nothing to fear. If you plan well, you might find that youβre able to use the recovery time productively, catching up with a few books or reconnecting with people youβve been
meaning to call or email.
To make your recovery as comfortable as possible, follow the instructions your surgeon gives you and follow up with him or her if you have any concerns. The following tips will help you have an enjoyable and pleasant recovery process.
Youβll get the best possible results from your recovery and your surgery if you make an effort to take it easy afterwards, especially for the first day or two. Before your surgery, set up a comfortable area in your home, where you can relax. If youβll be in bed, put plenty of pillows on it to keep your head elevated. If youβll be on a couch or easy chair, make sure itβs comfortable enough for you to sit with your head upright. Your surgeon will recommend keeping the head elevated for a few days after the procedure, to keep swelling down.
Plan a few light activities for that first day or two back. You can watch a movie, read or try to write a letter. You may simply want to use the time to take a nap, and thatβs perfectly fine.
Your nose will be in a splint or dressing for the first week or so after the surgery and will most likely be packed with gauze. As it heals, youβll want to be very gentle with it, avoid bumping it or causing yourself any discomfort. If your surgeon gives you permission, go ahead and put a cold compress or ice on the area to reduce swelling and bruising. But be careful not to press too hard.
Your nose may feel stuffed up after the surgery. Itβs very important that you not blow it, as that can impact the healing. Donβt sniff through the nose, either. If you feel that you need to wipe or clean the nose, use a damp cotton swab to gently wipe the area, being careful not to shove the swab into your nostrils. Moist towelettes can also be useful for wiping the nose.
Youβll also want to be careful about what you put on the nose, what you use around the nose and the way you get dressed after the surgery. Avoid pulling things over your head and face and stick with garments that button or zip for the first few weeks, so that you donβt bump the nose. Your surgeon will most likely recommend not wearing glasses for several weeks after your surgery. Contacts are usually fine, as they donβt put weight on the nose.
Eating a healthy, high fiber diet is a must after rhinoplasty for a few reasons. It will provide you with an adequate amount of nutrition, which your body needs for healing. Fiber will also help you avoid constipation, which can occur when youβre sitting around a lot. Constipation can cause straining, which can be problematic for a healing nose, as it can put pressure on the area and slow down healing.
If you werenβt in the habit of wearing sunscreen before your surgery, use it as an excuse to start. Sun exposure after surgery can discolor the area of the incision, and that discoloration can be permanent. You may want to completely avoid the sun for the first few days after surgery. After that, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and wear a hat with a brim when outdoors.
Your surgeon will most likely recommend that you hold off on heading to the gym for about a month after rhinoplasty. Youβll also want to avoid low impact exercises such as swimming, since you donβt want to get water up your nose.
One form of exercise that is recommended, starting a day or so after your surgery, is walking. Walking has a number of benefits, from improving blood flow to reducing constipation. Just remember to take it easy when you walk and avoid straining or bending. If you feel tired, itβs okay to stop for the day and go back to resting.
Recovery after rhinoplasty isnβt something to rush. In many cases, people feel well enough to go back to work or school after a week. But, everyoneβs different and itβs best to listen to your surgeon and follow his advice.
Dr. Stephen Smith performs rhinoplasty at β two locations in . If you are interested in learning more about the surgery and what to expect during recovery, call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith today.
If you are looking for a facial surgery that will rejuvenate your face and make you look younger, you generally have two options: a full facelift β which tightens the skin, fat and muscle around the cheeks, chin and neck β or a mini facelift β which also reduces sagging in the cheek, neck and chin area, although a smaller scale.
Since there are two options available, you may wonder why anyone would go for the mini or smaller version of the surgery.
But if youβre the right candidate for the procedure, a mini facelift can have a number of benefits. It also has a few drawbacks, which is why weighing the pros and cons of the surgery with your doctor is always a good idea.
One of the main attractions when it comes to a mini facelift is the significantly reduced recovery time compared to a full facelift.
While many patients need about two weeks to recover after a traditional facelift, plus a few more weeks of taking it easy, most patients are able to get back to their life just five to seven days after a mini facelift.
The amount of discomfort a patient feels after a mini facelift is also usually minimal. A surgeon may prescribe some pain medication to make discomfort even less noticeable. Usually, there is some bruising and swelling, but much less than there is after a traditional facelift surgery.
A big con when it comes to a mini facelift is that the results often last for a much shorter amount of time than the results for a full facelift. The results from a traditional facelift can last for a decade, or in some cases, even longer. How long the results last after a mini facelift depends on a number of factors, including the rate at which the patient ages, the skill of the surgeon who performed the procedure, and the type of procedure he or she performed. In our practice, we utilize techniques of traditional facelift techniques in order to achieve greater duration of correction.
Although the results donβt last as long, one positive aspect of the mini facelift is that the procedure itself doesnβt last very long. It can take several hours for a doctor to perform a full facelift. After the surgery, the patient needs time to wake up from the general anesthesia and for the grogginess from the anesthesia to wear off. In contrast, a mini facelift typically takes about an hour and a half. Most patients are given a local anesthetic and sedation, so that theyβre unaware of whatβs happening during the surgery but they arenβt fully out.
Not only do the results from a mini facelift not last as long as the results from a full facelift, they also tend to be less dramatic. Surgeons usually recommend a mini facelift for patients who are only just beginning to show signs of aging on their face. The procedure will most likely not be very helpful for people with significant sagginess in the jowls or chin area.
Mini facelifts tend to be more budget conscious, at least upfront, compared to full facelifts. Since the procedure is less involved and shorter in duration, the cost of surgeon fees and other associated fees is much less. It should be noted, however, that a mini facelift can cost more overtime. With a traditional facelift, a patient may need just a single surgery to restore a more youthful look. A mini facelift may provide the results a patient wants at first, but as those results wear off, he or she may need an additional surgery or may decide to have a traditional facelift done, which will bring the cost up quite a bit.
While a mini facelift offers plenty of advantages, itβs not a procedure to rush into. The surgery has as many risks as a full procedure, meaning thatβs its important to choose an experienced facial plastic surgeon to do it. Itβs also important to be in good health and have realistic expectations about the results.
At , Dr. Stephen Smith offers both full and mini facelift procedures. If youβre ready to weigh the pros and cons of either surgery and decide which procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith. Call for your appointment today.
As the oldest procedure in the facial plastic surgery playbook, rhinoplasty continues to be one of the most popular. Even thousands of years ago, doctors were performing this cosmetic procedure to help individuals change the way they look. It is also one of the most complex facial surgeries, since the nose is such a delicate and intricate part of the body. For this reason, every procedure is customized according to a patientβs needs and desires.
The list of reasons for rhinoplasty surgery is long, ranging from beauty concerns to medical necessities, from functional to reconstructive to cosmetic. Whatever your reason may be, a rhinoplasty can be the solution to your problems once and for all.
Changing your nose can change your entire look, as many rhinoplasty patients can attest. For many, this key facial feature is a source of stress, discontent, and frustration. When you hate the way your nose works, a rhinoplasty surgery is a miracle in itself. Working with a plastic surgeon, you can plan the way your face will look and finally achieve the beauty youβve always wanted. It may boost your confidence, help you become more outgoing, and let you love what you see in the mirror.
If you donβt like the way your nose looks, you can change it, plain and simple. You can make your nose bigger, smaller, shorter, longer, straighter, narrower, wider, and more. Smooth out that bump on your nose that ruins your profile. Create the nose that helps you give a great first impression every time you meet someone new.
From deviated septums to obstructed airways, the nose can have many problems that result in breathing difficulties. Many patients seeking rhinoplasty from a surgeon are aiming to solve these bothersome problems. This surgery can help to fix misaligned or off-centered cartilage that could be causing the breathing trouble. Even loud snoring can be cured for good with a little surgical reworking of the nose. Imagine sleeping through the night without waking yourself up or disturbing your partner!
Whether recently broken or healed for decades, a damaged nose is a big reason for patients to opt for rhinoplasty surgery. The nose is a delicate part of the body, so when it suffers the stress of being broken, airways can be obstructed or bones can set incorrectly. Those who do choose to have follow-up surgery after suffering a broken nose might do so to help alleviate trouble breathing because of misaligned airways. Still, it is very common to seek rhinoplasty surgery because a broken nose is misshapen and needs to be reconstructed, or perhaps redesigned altogether.
A sinus infection can be an unpleasant experience, one that many people repeat year after year when the worst of their allergies strike. Unfortunately, most chronic sinusitis patients donβt realize that the cause of their repeat infections is poor drainage, thanks to trouble with the passageways. Nose surgery is a great option for those who are struggling with sinus infections, especially if misalignments are discovered. In some cases, airways can be widened to allow for easy passage of mucus and other fluids. Seek a consultation with a plastic surgeon to determine if youβre a candidate for a rhinoplasty surgery; it could change the way you look at allergy season forever.
Sometimes, unfortunately, patients of previous rhinoplasty surgeries seek a second physician to correct problems with their new nose. When things go wrong, or your nose comes out looking worse than before, there are options to help you! In most cases, dissatisfaction with a previous surgery can be fixed to look more like what you originally envisioned. While not as common as some of the other reasons for rhinoplasty surgery, a revision rhinoplasty procedure can be a very important one. No one wants to be stuck with a nose that looks wrong, right? These follow-up surgeries can help to restore the function and appearance of your nose, hopefully keeping you from needing more and more surgeries in the future.
If any of these reasons sound familiar to you, it might be time to consult with a rhinoplasty specialist to discuss your options. Dr. Smith, founder of , is a specialist rhinoplasty surgeon who will go over the procedure and what it can do for you. Choose the right surgeon the first time around so you can skip out on your own revision surgery. Contact Dr. Smith today at . Visit at , , or go online to https://smithfacialplastics.com and fill out their contact form and get information about the rhinoplasty surgery that can solve your problems.
For hundreds of years, society has been tantalized by tales of eternal youth. From stories about the βFountain of Youthβ to plastic surgery procedures
that virtually erase the signs of aging, there are plenty of real and
fictitious ways to avoid everything from wrinkles and crowβs feet to
blemished skin and uneven pigmentation. One such procedure is Botox,
which is perhaps the leading way to reduce the signs of aging and
promote a rejuvenated appearance in patients of all ages, and from all
backgrounds.
Thanks to advances in plastic surgery, Botox presents one of the least invasive ways to reduce the signs of aging that can seriously affect some patientsβ self-esteem. The procedure uses a very fine needle that is used to inject the solution into certain muscles throughout the face. Doctors are actually able to target specific areas of the face, treating only those muscles that have allowed the skin to sag or wrinkle.
Though the needle is quite small, some patients do request an
anesthetic cream to be applied prior to each injection. This is widely
available and itβs a great way to make the procedure even less invasive
than it otherwise would be.
Botox treatments are not permanent, due in large part to the nature
of the injections and how they work. That means patients who pursue
Botox treatments to reduce the signs of aging on the face will need to
work with their plastic surgeon to arrange future visits in order to
maintain the youthful appearance promoted by this treatment.
Furthermore, Botox treatments should not be considered a way to fully
erase all signs of aging. There will be a great deal of improvement in
the appearance of the face, but patients will still see some minor lines
or wrinkles. This is actually a preferred consequence of treatment, as
the more natural appearance after each injection prevents patients from
looking βplasticβ or like their youthful appearance is somehow
artificial.
Though the primary effect of a Botox treatment is a reduction in the
signs of aging throughout the face, a secondary side effect is just as
noticeable and worth sharing: Most patients will actually experience a
great degree of added confidence. An elevated sense of self-esteem
almost always comes with the territory, with researchers finding that
patients feel more confident, more proactive, and more encouraged to be
assertive, than they did before their first injections.
With ongoing treatment, Botox injections can help to sustain this
feeling of greater, more youthful confidence. Patients looking to boost
their appearance with this non-invasive procedure should, as always,
make sure that theyβre working with a board-certified plastic surgeon
who can offer the best chance of minimal side effects, great results,
and no long-term medical complications as a result of treatment.
Over the course of the past decade or so, the amount of money
reimbursed to traditional physicians through insurance company programs
has decreased in a major way. In fact, these decreases have been so
stark that otherwise lucrative careers have seemed to become dead-end
jobs, where raises are less frequent and salaries are nowhere near as
high as they were at the beginning of the 21st century. In a medical
climate like this one, there are plenty of incentives for doctors to
diversify their careers and branch out into services like plastic
surgery.
Plastic surgery,
in fact, is one of the most popular βsecond careersβ for physicians who
are looking to engage in a more lucrative type of practice. Thatβs
because virtually all plastic surgery procedures are paid for
out-of-pocket, without the assistance of traditional medical insurance
plans. Physicians who provide these services are therefore likely to
enjoy a much better compensation structure. The problem, though, is that
many physicians are simply not certified to branch out into this field.
That can lead to major medical complications and aesthetic
embarrassments for todayβs patients.
One of the peculiar things about the plastic surgery industry is
thatβs virtually unregulated in comparison to traditional medical
practices. Doctors who engage in everything from gynecology to family
practice services and beyond, all must pass board certification
examinations issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties. When
people refer to βpassing the boardsβ or being a βboard-certified
physician,β this is what theyβre often talking about.
In plastic surgery, though, passing board exams and completing at
least three years of a medical residency is simply not required. In all
but three states, doctors can declare themselves to be plastic surgeons
as long as they already have any type of board certification from the
ABMS. That means patients might be getting cosmetic work performed on
them by physicians who donβt know who to properly complete the
procedure. What results is a botched nose job, a serious infection, or a
dramatic injury that requires tens of thousands of dollars in follow-up
work.
The only way for patients to maintain peace of mind when seeking a qualified plastic surgeon is to make sure that theyβre choosing a physician that specifically holds a plastic surgery certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties. Shadow organizations, often with similar names that include the word βboardβ in their title, do not guarantee any level of prior experience, residence, or specific education, and that means patients will be at serious risk of injury or cosmetic defects.
Because the stakes are so high with all plastic surgery procedures,
and malpractice can lead to significant financial difficulty, medical
complications, and long-term suffering, patients owe it to themselves to
make sure that their plastic surgeon is properly certified in not only
cosmetic surgery, but also the specific type of surgery that they
perform. Even though it might not be the law in most states, itβs still
the best way to avoid major headaches after the procedure.
Since rhinoplasty first became a major part of plastic surgery operations, the procedure has been almost exclusively associated with Caucasian patients who strive to have the βperfect nose.β Typically, that constitutes a nose that is tall, slender, and somewhat narrow, and this shape is almost exclusively associated with white patients. In recent years, though, plastic surgery professionals have been working to refine their skills and broaden their horizons, embracing different ethnic groups with a diverse number of βperfectβ looks and facial features.
The result has been what some are calling βethnic rhinoplastyβ or, in
some cases, ethnically-sensitive rhinoplasty. These procedures take
into account not only the patientβs goals, but also the natural shape of
their nose and the ethnic facial features that set African-American,
Hispanic, and even Asian patients apart from their Caucasian
counterparts. The result is a more natural look, a greater degree of
self-esteem after the procedure, and longer-lasting confidence that
doesnβt require a second or even third operation.
In Venezuela, plastic surgery procedures
have only recently become popular among women at all levels of society,
and of all racial backgrounds. For quite some time, the most popular
request made by rhinoplasty patients of color was that their physician
should help them achieve a more perfect nose. Their goal was to
transform the wider, flatter noses of those with African and mixed-race
backgrounds into the taller, more slender noses associated with white
society.
Though a large number of these procedures were performed, the end
result of the plastic surgery work was quite stark. Though patients were
initially impressed with their physicianβs work, and appreciative of
their transformed appearance, researchers in Venezuela found that
self-esteem levels soon plummeted back to pre-surgery levels. Many
patients simply werenβt satisfied with the long-term changes made as
part of their surgery, and many actually felt as if they had given up a
key part of their ethnic identity.
In light of the research done in Venezuela, surgeons around the world
have been focusing on ways to bring plastic surgery to those of all
races. Primarily, the goal of this work is to make sure that those with
African heritage, or even those with Hispanic and Asian backgrounds, can
get the same benefits from plastic surgery that Caucasian men and women
have enjoyed since the outset.
Ethnic rhinoplasty, and other race-sensitive procedures like it, is designed to help
patients achieve the perfect idea of beauty within their native race.
Itβs a look that appears much more natural on the surface, and
procedures that take this more refined track have been known to produce
long-term benefits in self-esteem, confidence, and interpersonal
relations.
Ethnic rhinoplasty, then, is just one more example of how the plastic
surgery profession is changing with the times, adopting a more nuanced
view of beauty and how aesthetic preferences apply to a much more
diverse cross-section of society at large.
The fractionated CO2 laser is a very exciting technology that may prove
to be the best technology that we have at our disposal. It combines the
vigorous CO2 laser wavelength, but has been recently engineered to
lessen downtime and eliminate side effects with the fractionated
ultrapulse delivery. We are very encouraged by itβs ability to improve
skin texture, tone, fine wrinkles, and even some scarring.
