Achieving facial harmony is now easily achievable by surgeries that can often be performed without creating visible scars. Surgery to implant synthetic materials in the face can help patients who were born with facial deformities, patients who have suffered trauma that resulted in changes in the bones of the face, or patients who simply desire a more aesthetic appearance due to aging changes. When looking at someone’s face, we see the skin, which is just a “canvas”, reflecting the underlying bone structure of the facial skeleton. As we age, our facial bones change in a predictable pattern. Thus, an aged facial skeleton will influence the appearance of overlying skin. Addressing this aging process requires rejuvenating the underlying bony skeleton, which can result in positive changes throughout the face.
Facial implant surgery can usually be done without creating a visible scar. In some cases of chin implants, an external incision is needed under the area, but it hides well. Surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, based on your preference and what the surgeon feels is appropriate. Enlargement of many regions of the face is possible, including the periorbital region, the cheek, the chin and along the jaw line.
For placement of an implant along the tear duct or cheek, an incision may be made inside the eyelid to avoid a visible scar. Alternatively, the incision can be made through the skin of the lower eyelid, within a preexisting wrinkle line. It is often possible to combine your implant surgery with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty to further rejuvenate the area.
Likewise, an incision can also be made inside the mouth to enlarge the cheek and malar regions. This can help add volume to the cheek, thus restoring youth. For placement of a chin implant, the facial plastic surgeon may use an incision in the mouth or under the chin, where the scar will hide well. The incision is usually very small and heals imperceptibly. Chin implants are often used in conjunction with a rhinoplasty to help restore harmony to the face, particularly when viewing the profile.
The patient will likely be discharged on the same day as the surgery. The surgeon will provide appropriate pain medication and may prescribe antibiotics. Many surgeons place a bandage over the implant site to maintain pressure in the area. One can resume normal activity in four weeks after the surgery.
