Facial harmony is more than just a concept—it’s a pursuit of balance and proportion that enhances one’s natural beauty and confidence. This principle guides various cosmetic procedures aimed at achieving a harmonious appearance by addressing specific facial features. By combining treatments like eyelid surgery with other facial procedures, individuals can achieve comprehensive results efficiently, minimising both recovery time and the overall number of procedures needed.
Eyelid Surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a prime example of how targeted enhancements can rejuvenate the face. This procedure not only addresses sagging and puffy eyelids but also contributes to a refreshed and alert look, reducing signs of aging around the eyes. Understanding the role of such procedures within the broader context of facial harmony helps individuals make informed decisions about achieving their aesthetic goals effectively and safely.
Nose Surgery
The nose is the most prominent feature of the face, and even slight irregularities can have a significant impact on facial harmony. Cosmetic rhinoplasty, also called nasal surgery or nose job, can alter the size and shape of a person’s nose for improved facial balance. This procedure can also help improve breathing for people with a deviated septum.
To reshape the nose, the surgeon makes an internal incision or cut and then lifts the skin to access the bones and cartilage beneath. The surgeon can remove or add cartilage as needed to achieve the desired nose shape. The surgeon can also change the angle between the nose and the mouth. Once the nose is in its new shape, the surgeon closes the incisions and places splints inside the nose (and sometimes outside it) to keep it stable. The splints will usually come out in about a week, but the patient may experience some swelling and bruising of the nose until this happens.
Patients considering rhinoplasty should understand that the nose will not be fully healed until about a year after the procedure. This is why it’s important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon to discuss what results can be expected and what the surgery will involve. During this consultation, the surgeon can assess the patient’s general health and medical history to ensure that rhinoplasty is safe for him or her.
Ear Surgery
The ear — especially its shape and position — can have a significant impact on one’s appearance. Ear surgery (otoplasty) reduces protruding ears and is usually done in childhood to help children better adapt to school and social situations. It is also an option for adults.
To perform otoplasty, surgeons make an incision behind the ear to expose the cartilage. They then fold and reshape the cartilage, sometimes cutting or abrading it before folding it, to reduce prominence. They may also remove excess skin and then stitch the wound closed.
A less invasive approach is to use sutures on the back of the ear. This allows the surgeon to achieve similar results but does not leave visible scars.
Another common reconstructive procedure involves repairing the mastoid bone, which houses a honeycomb of air cells that protects fragile middle and inner ear structures. In rare cases, this structure can become infected or develop a cholesteatoma, a condition where the air cells are filled with fluid and soft tissue. The surgeon can repair this damage by removing the fluid and soft tissue and then reconstructing the structure with bone.
Plastic surgery is a powerful tool for reconstructing parts of the body that are damaged by trauma, illness, or disease. It can also improve self-esteem for patients who have had to change their body image to accommodate an injury or congenital defect.
Facial Implants
Reconstructive surgery restores normal appearance and function to body parts affected by a disease, injury, or birth defect. Depending on the type of procedure, reconstructive surgery may be done in an outpatient clinic, surgery center, your doctor’s office, or a hospital.
Some of the most common facial reconstructive surgery procedures involve implants, which are soft synthetic materials that provide volume and definition to a face that has lost its natural shape through age or due to trauma or illness. Often used in the chin, cheeks, or jawline, these implants are safe and effective and are an important part of our cosmetic surgery arsenal.
These implants can be made from a synthetic material like silicone or with the patient’s own fat (known as “fat grafting”). Infection and shifting of implant position are the primary risks of facial implant surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with information and instructions for minimising these risks.
Infection is a very rare event; however, as with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. If an infection develops, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, enhances the appearance of your upper and lower lids, diminishing sagging creases around the eyes to create a more youthful, alert look. It can also correct for hooding and puffy bags caused by excess fat or age-related changes in the shape of the face, such as a deepening of the orbital rim, known as the tear trough, creating an unnatural “dark circle”.
To perform eyelid surgery, your plastic surgeon like Dean White Melbourne Plastic Surgeon will use local anesthesia to numb the area, combined with oral or intravenous sedatives, so you remain awake but relaxed throughout the procedure. Depending on your specific needs and the type of eye lift technique chosen, she may make tiny cuts through which to remove excess skin and fat (and muscle, if required) from your upper and lower lids. He/she will then close these cuts with fine sutures, which will typically dissolve or be removed one week after the procedure.
After your surgery, you will have some bruising and swelling, which should gradually resolve within two weeks. You may experience dry or itchy eyes from the lubricating drops or ointment you will be using to keep your eyes moist, and you might notice some blurring of vision as your vision adjusts to your new facial contours. You will be able to resume most of your normal, non-strenuous activities after this time.
In conclusion, the pursuit of facial harmony through procedures like eyelid surgery exemplifies a commitment to enhancing natural beauty and confidence. By addressing specific features such as sagging eyelids or puffy bags, these treatments not only rejuvenate appearance but also contribute to a refreshed, balanced look. Understanding these procedures within the broader context of cosmetic enhancement empowers individuals to make informed decisions, achieving their aesthetic goals efficiently and safely. With advances in surgical techniques and personalised care, restoring facial harmony has become more accessible, offering transformative results that align with each person’s unique vision of beauty and self-assurance.