Facial Plastic Surgery vs. Cosmetic Injections Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Melanie Malone

The Pros and Cons of “Going Under the Knife”

If you are considering making a cosmetic change to your face in order to reverse aging, sculpt your jaw, or refine your nose, you are likely aware that there are an incredibly wide variety of aesthetic treatment options for Facial Plastic Surgery on the market. Plastic surgeons, med spas, and more offer different solutions in the form of surgeries, injectables, and laser treatments. With all of these different options, how can you possibly narrow it down? And more importantly, how can you determine which is going to be the best possible treatment for you?

Having surgery or “going under the knife” is always a decision that should be made with careful consideration. It’s normal to have a lot of questions. Are facial plastic surgery options more extensive than what you really need to address your concerns? Will a non-surgical option be enough? Does less invasive mean safer? Won’t I need to get regular maintenance with non-surgical techniques? Let’s explore the options.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Facelifts

A facelift is a common term for a procedure that contours, sculpts, and “lifts” the face to produce a younger, more vibrant appearance. Surgical facelifts take the skin and underlying tissue and reposition them to achieve this effect. This could include deep plane facelifts, traditional facelifts, or mini facelifts.

A deep plane adjusts the skin and tissue together for a very natural result while a traditional facelift positions the skin separately and is sometimes used when signs of aging are not as pronounced. In the same way, a mini-facelift can be used for moderate aging and mostly focuses on the bottom third of the face. With a skilled and experienced facial plastic surgeon, all of these surgical options are incredibly safe and can produce results that make you look ten years younger or more.

There are also many effective non-surgical options for a facelift, including Botox, dermal fillers, Adipose Derived Stem Cell (ADSC) treatment, RF microneedling, and more. These treatments all work to either fill or change the skin or tissue on the face to lift the face, smooth wrinkles, and reverse sagging skin. Those who may want a more subtle change, have mild signs of aging, or are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery often consider these choices. In a quality facility under the guidance of our Facial Plastic Surgeon, these can be great options for some patients.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Neck, Chin, and Jawline Contouring

Sometimes used alone or in conjunction with a facelift, neck lifts, or surgical lower facial contouring can address an aged look from the chin down. Loose skin on the neck can be tightened and smoothed with a standard neck lift or a mini neck lift.

For additional lower face adjustment not always related to aging, surgical procedures like chin implant, masseter reduction, or gonial angle implant can refine the features or enhance a masculine or feminine look.

Alternatively, there are some incredibly effective non-surgical treatments that can also provide stunning results in the neck, chin, and jawline. Dermal fillers can be used for contouring and jawline sculpting, and certain laser methods can effectively tighten up a sagging neck and jowls. Kybella, a targeted injectable, is designed to eliminate fat pockets and get rid of a double chin in one simple appointment.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty has long been a standing part of Facial Plastic Surgery. It can be performed in either an “open” or “closed” manner, depending on the particular needs of the patient. In open rhinoplasty, there will be very minimal, tiny scarring typically in between the nostrils. A closed rhinoplasty is performed using incisions made only in the interior of the nose, making it a “scarless” procedure.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty utilizes dermal fillers to shape and contour the nose. This is a great option for those who want to avoid surgery or to get a preview of what surgical rhinoplasty might look like. HA fillers used for this method either fade on their own or can be reversed so there is very low risk. Since the nose is a delicate and complex structure, it’s very important, whether you opt for surgery or a non-surgical method, to see a highly trained and experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon.

It’s Your Choice - Be Informed

It’s so important when making any decision for our bodies to have all the information. Sometimes figuring out what will be best for you personally can be difficult through just online research and articles alone. Even the experiences of friends or family may not be enough to help you land on the right method. This is why when working with an experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon patients have the optimal way to land in just the right spot for your treatment.

A facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Melanie Malone can bring expertise and vast experience to the table, and consulting with them can open up the possibilities and give you personalized information. The key is that there is no “one size fits all” treatment, so determining which is best for you relies on a doctor working with you directly and getting to know your particular aesthetic goals and preferences.