It’s no secret that as we age our faces tend to lose volume and skin elasticity weakens, leaving us with wrinkles, baggy eyes, and hollow cheeks. We’re also at the mercy of genetics, and some individuals may begin seeing these signs of ageing prematurely.

It isn’t pleasant to see a hollow, tired face staring back at you in the mirror every morning; fortunately, dermal fillers can help fill in sunken facial features, building up your face and confidence at the same time.

Sunken facial features are a result of a loss of facial fat. As we age, the face tends to lose collagen and fat that keeps us young and fresh-looking. The skin then sinks into the depressions created by this loss. This mostly happens in the cheek area, but the effects can be seen throughout the entire face.

Hollows beneath the cheeks can make you appear gaunt and tired. It also can contribute to the appearance of dark, sunken circles below the eyes. Traditional surgical procedures, such as facelifts or brow lifts, are often unable to address facial problems that develop in these areas. They also cannot help create volume where it is needed, but rather merely tighten any loose skin that is also a consequence of fat loss.

Dermal fillers can successfully build up sunken facial features, giving you a youthful, healthy glow once again. They are also less invasive than surgical procedures, have minimal recovery time, and often cost a fraction of the price.

There are many different types of dermal filler available on the market. Some are aimed at addressing only certain areas, while others can be used on a variety of features from the cheeks to the lips. A board-certified plastic surgeon can help you choose the proper filler and make recommendations.

The results of dermal filler treatments are generally temporary. The majority of products last between five and eight months; however, there are many new fillers that may have much longer lasting results, up to one or two years.

There are few risks and complications involved. The procedure is usually done in-office with no anesthesia. The surgeon will clean the area to be treated and inject a small amount of filler until even and smooth. Often it is necessary to over-inject the area initially due to the body reabsorbing some types of filler.

Afterwards, the area may appear a bit red or sore, but this will dissipate within hours. Patients can return to normal activity immediately. Possible, but rare side effects include bleeding, allergic reaction, and extended swelling or soreness.

You don’t have to wake up to a gaunt face every morning. Dermal fillers can bring back the vibrancy of youth for a small cost and minimal investment. With so many different types available today on the market, there is a good chance you can find one to suit your individual needs and aesthetic preferences. Be sure to choose a qualified and skilled cosmetic surgeon to administer any injections.

Attaining the perfect beach body isn’t easy and for many people it might just be impossible. No matter how much you sweat it out with exercise and follow a healthy diet, you can’t alter genetics and the effects of time. As you age your skin loses elasticity and your metabolism slows, making it that much more difficult to reach your physical goals.

Even in youth our bodies are preprogrammed to store fat in areas that may not be to our liking. So what options does a fit, healthy person have if those love handles or that stomach flab just won’t disappear? One effective and long-term solution to a flawlessly sculpted physique is liposuction.

This procedure is able to target problem areas that are resistant to aerobics, weight lifting, or just plain dieting. Not only does it smooth bulges, creating smooth, appealing body contours, but it helps keep your body looking that way forever. As long as you maintain in reasonably good physical condition, that unsightly flab will not develop in treated areas again.

There are a few different methods of liposuction performed today, but one of the most common is the wet technique. During this procedure, the body is injected with fluids to help loosen up fat cells and minimizing trauma to the body. A small incision is made and camouflaged as well as possible within the natural lines of the body.

A hollow tube called a cannula is then inserted into the body and moved back and forth through the fat layer, vacuuming up excess cells. Generally only a small amount of fat is removed, so it is important to remember that this is not a weight loss method; however, the plastic surgeon is able to sculpt the area, making your body look leaner and sleeker.

Recovery from liposuction varies by individual and depends on the extent of the plastic surgery. Small areas will require one to two weeks of rest with some mile bruising and tenderness. Larger areas or multiple areas may require longer recovery periods. For the first few days after the plastic surgery, compression garments often need to be worn for maximum healing.

In some cases, there will be some natural drainage occurring from the incision site. Results will gradually reveal themselves over the first few weeks, but it may take up to six months for the skin to fully tighten. As with any plastic surgery, there are risks involved. These include bleeding, skin necrosis, infection, and uneven contour. Choosing a board certified and well qualified plastic surgeon can help minimize the occurrence of these risks.

Liposuction can be used virtually anywhere on the body and is often combined with other plastic surgery procedures to maximize results and combine recovery periods. Common procedures performed simultaneously include tummy tucks, thigh lifts, arm lifts, or facial injections.

Some of the most popularly requested areas to treat are the stomach, love handles, and below the chin; however, liposuction can even be used in areas such as the knees, ankles, inner and outer thighs, and the lower arms.

Otoplasty has become more popular throughout the years. If you are interested in getting ear surgery and improving the shape of your ears, make sure you choose a good surgeon who has years of experience.

Many people decide to get ear surgery to help reshape the ear. Many times an individual may have ears far from their head and they want to get the surgery to move them closer. Others choose to get the surgery to reduce the size of the ears. Others want to fix an ear where the tip folds down and forward.

Others want to change the shape of very small ears or fill in one where certain folds do not exist. Surgery can also help with earlobes which are stretched or wrinkled. Finally many surgeons will even build new ones for those who were born without them or if they were damaged because of an injury.

Most of the time, the surgery is performed on children who are at least four years old because most ears are full grown by that age. Many parents choose to get the surgery for their children because they do not want them to be teased throughout life. You can also get the surgery if you are an adult and are uncomfortable with your ears.

Parents should have reasonable goals and expectations. The goal in the surgery should be to improve the overall look, not to gain perfect ears. Even a good plastic surgeon cannot ensure that they match perfectly. Before starting any procedure, make sure you have a conversation with the plastic surgeon so that he or she understands your goals and expectations.

During the consultation period, make sure the plastic surgeon has had many years experience performing the procedure. If you have any trouble finding a doctor, then you should ask friends or relatives if they have had good experiences with plastic surgeons. You and your child should also look through magazines to see if you can see pictures that you can give the plastic surgeon.

During the procedure, the doctor will examine the child and explain to you how the procedure will work. Remember that they will be performing on your child so you want to make sure they are fully qualified. Also, after the consultation, make sure you talk to your child about the procedure candidly. Explain to he or she what will occur during the procedure and what will be the desired outcome.

Ultimately this should be your child’s decision and you should only get the surgery if they want it also. During the procedure the child, will be given anesthesia for the pain. The doctor will then perform the desired procedure and will properly close all the wounds.

The child will normally stay out of school for a few days because of the healing process and the pain felt. If performed correctly, the procedure should have desired results with lasting effects. You and your child will love the look of their ears forever.

Otoplasty, or ear reshaping surgery, not only corrects large “bat” ears, but addresses a wide variety of issues including earlobe tears, asymmetry, and cartilage deformities.

Not many people put much thought into their ears, with the exception of those who have heard the taunts of “Dumbo” or “elephant” ears. Many ear deformities can easily be concealed by a clever hairstyle; however, some might be so severe that surgery is required. Otoplasty, or ear reshaping, is cosmetic surgery that resizes, shapes, or repositions one or both ears.

Otoplasty is a term that encompasses many different cosmetic procedures for ear shaping. The most common is ear pinning, also known as pinnaplasty. This procedure addresses ears that stick out too far from the side of the head, which often makes them appear larger and distracts from the rest of the face. Many children undergo this procedure successfully; however, as children get older they often grow into their ears, and it becomes unnecessary.

The procedure is fairly simple with few risks and complications. After numbing the area (general anesthetic is often used beforehand) the plastic surgeon will create incisions behind each ear. The cartilage in this area is then repositioned and molded. Plastic stitches are placed to hold the new shape and position and then the skin is stitched up and dressing is applied. The results are ears that stick closer to the side of the head, eliminating the “Dumbo” effect.

Another form of ear reshaping gaining popularity is correction of sagging ear lobes or large holes leftover from ear stretching. Women who often wear large or heavy earrings find that over time the hole will become stretched, making it difficult to keep an earring held in place. The lobe may also become stretched, creating an unpleasant appearance.

Younger generations who have experimented with large gauge piercings also find that as they age they dislike the sagging, stretched lobe that is left behind or the skin may have torn creating unsightly rips. In all of these cases, a cosmetic surgeon can help reconstruct the lobe and either eliminate the appearance of the hole or tighten it so earrings can be worn properly again. This is another fairly simple procedure with few risks and complications.

Misshapen cartilage or noticeable asymmetry can also be addressed by otoplasty. Cosmetic surgeons can reshape the cartilage and reposition the lobe to create a more balanced appearance. Although no two ears are possible to be matched exactly, major improvement can be made to where any imbalance is not readily detectable.

Risks and complications for any otoplasty include infection, bleeding, removing too much cartilage, scarring, and swelling. There is also the chance of dissatisfaction with the results, but revision surgery is normally possible to make further corrections when necessary. Full recovery generally requires at least one week if not two before returning to work and other normal activities; however, some people find they feel comfortable enough after only four to five days.

Consult with a board-certified and qualified plastic surgeon to find out more about available procedures and surgical details. They can provide you with before and after photos of past patients as well as an in-depth explanation of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.