Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Do I Need a Facelift? Or Fillers?

If you have sagging skin on your mid or lower face, deep wrinkles, and other cosmetic facial issues, cosmetic plastic surgery can provide you with many options to get firmer, smoother skin.  But with so many choices, finding the right treatment can be difficult. Many patients first consider a facelift to combat the effects of sagging and wrinkled facial skin, but you may not always need one.

Cosmetic dermal fillers can help treat wrinkles and deep lines, while facelifts are a more comprehensive, surgical approach to cosmetic facial treatment. When thinking about therapy for aesthetic facial issues, keep the following in mind:

Dermal Fillers vary widely in their abilities and there are dozens of trusted brands available to choose from. Fillers are capable of plumping-up loose skin, smoothing out wrinkles around your nose and mouth, and erasing forehead lines and crow’s feet. If your cosmetic problems are less severe, therapy with dermal fillers is a non-invasive way to get rejuvenated skin that’s smoother to the touch. Many dermal fillers even encourage your body to produce more of its own natural collagen, helping you keep your results for up to a year, in some cases.

Facelifts, as you likely know, are a surgical intervention for common signs of aging, such as loose skin in the mid-face, or the appearance of jowls. These more advanced aesthetic issues are best treated by repositioning tissues so they appear firmer and removing excess skin that causes jowls. Facelifts can even address issues of sagging skin on the neck or in front of the ears.

While both facelifts and fillers allow your skin to look smoother, dermal fillers are unable to remove excess skin or correct advanced cases of loosened skin.  Facelifts are typically recommended for patients who are experiencing these comprehensive aesthetic problems, or whose problem areas cannot be effectively targeted with fillers.

The best way to figure out which cosmetic facial procedure is right for you is to talk to a plastic surgeon. After you discuss your goals and concerns, your doctor will help you find treatment that is conservative and achieves the look you had in mind. If you’re wondering whether a facelift or dermal filler therapy is right for you, contact our Lubbock, TX office to speak to Dr. Eric Minns; we can help you design the treatment plan that fits your needs.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

What to Look for in a Cosmetic Surgeon for Rhinoplasty

Making even minor surgical adjustments to the nose can positively change a person’s facial aesthetic. The increase in popularity of cosmetic nose surgery has made it easy to find private practices offering this treatment, however selecting the right cosmetic surgeon for your procedure is incredibly important.

Beautiful results with nose surgery require the surgeon to exhibit technical precision and efficient patient communication to understand the desired end result. For patients considering nose surgery to treat a medical condition, or to make their nose appear smoother and more aesthetically pleasing, getting the right care is essential.

In general, finding the right cosmetic surgeon to perform your upcoming rhinoplasty requires research and cross-referencing. Here are several criteria to consider when seeking the right clinic for your rhinoplasty:

Board Certification and Academic Recommendation: Starting your search by first looking into board certified surgeons. When combined with excellent academics, prestigious residencies and fellowships, membership into these organizations can indicate that a surgeon is dedicated to providing exceptional work, as well as continuously improving their abilities.

Before and After Photos: Surgical portfolios featuring multiple pictures of patients’ finalized treatment allows potential patients to visualize the surgeon’s skill in transforming the nose. These photos may also depict patients whose cosmetic concerns are similar to your own, suggesting that the surgeon has previous surgical experience with these issues. Before and after galleries help indicate what sort of results you can expect.

Former Patient Testimonials: The Internet is a great tool for discovering patient testimonials. When searching for testimonials, be sure to locate and read through patient reviews on multiple sites, to get a good idea of former patients’ experiences at certain offices. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations and comments about their surgeons, such as their ability to answer questions and concerns, as well as their bedside manner.

Positive Initial Consultation: The only person who can determine the right cosmetic surgeon for you is you. In addition to answering any questions and concerns, your cosmetic surgeon should also be able to tell you how many procedures they’ve done that are similar to your unique circumstances and walk you through your upcoming treatment. This should include what to expect and how long your specific recovery time may last.

If you’re considering enhancing your appearance with rhinoplasty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Minns at his Lubbock practice today. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Minns and his staff can help you achieve facial symmetry and stunning results.