Question:
Could you please explain to me the similarities and differences of a facelift and a mini-facelift?

Answer:
This is a common question, and unfortunately there are no rigid rules when it comes to the differences. That said, both a facelift and a mini-facelift are used to lift skin and tissues of the lower face and neck. Typically a facelift will involve extensive muscle work under the chin and in front of the ears, skin undermining and excision, sometimes liposuction, all from incisions both in front of and behind the ears and extending into the hairline. Mini-lifts typically are approached from more limited incisions, involve less muscle work and liposuction as well as less skin excision. The advantage of the mini-lift is less surgery time, less risks, and a quicker recovery. Unfortunately as with most things in cosmetic surgery, less invasive often means less possible results. For patients with very early aging, this may be all that is needed and a great option. For those with more extensive aging, a full facelift is often required to get the best results.

Both a mini-facelift and a facelift can be great options to achieve facial rejuvenation. Consultation with a facial plastic surgeon is the first step in deciding which option is best for you!

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Question:
Is it normal for the tip of the nose to appear somewhat upturned after a nose job? I’m a few weeks post op and my doctor says this is normal and will get better.

Answer:
A slight upturn of the nose after rhinoplasty is common and should not be of concern. This upturn is mostly due to swelling and should improve as this resolves. Keeping your head elevated and limiting activities will help. With time this should improve. If revisions would be necessary, they should not be performed until a full year from surgery.

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Question:
I have rosacea. Is it best to treat this with products like skincare or with treatments like the laser? Are there times when you would recommend a combination of the two?

Answer:
The first step to treating acne rosacea is developing a skin care regimen that includes topical prescription products. Once the rosacea is well controlled, laser treatments can be considered. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is an outstanding choice for treating both the broken capillaries associated with rosacea as well as the “blush”. At Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, we use the Limelight IPL which provides gentle treatments with minimal downtime or side effects. Over a series of treaments, patients will experience improved skin color and texture. Both skin care products and IPL are beneficial for acne rosacea and work great together in improving the skin.

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Question:
I have many age spots on my forehead and cheeks. Otherwise I don’t look too bad for a 76-year-old grandpa. I would like to reduce the appearance of these pigmented spots. Can a chemical peel do this and what would the recovery time be?

Answer:
There a many ways to treat brown spots, from topical creams such as hydroquinone, to q switched or fractional lasers, gentle IPL light treatments to fairly aggressive CO2 laser resurfacing. Chemical peels offer a one time relatively quick and inexspensive way to treat brown spots as well as mild sun damage and fine lines. While there are differing strengths of chemical peels, a medium depth peel would provide effective removal of most brown spots in one treatment. Downtime is typically 5 to 7 days. Patients can apply make-up if desired after one week, but typically will have some pink discoloration for about a month. By 6 weeks, patients should appreciate better skin and fewer brown spots.

The first step to determining if a chemical peel is right for your is scheduling a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. You can schedule your appointment by calling (317) 859-3810 or filling out the contact form here.

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Question:
I am a 42 year old mom of three. I don’t feel old, yet I feel like I constantly look exhausted. Does blepharoplasty help reduce darkness under the eyes?

Answer:
Blepharoplasty is an excellent procedure to take away the tired look of eyes. It involves removal of extra skin which cause the eyelids to look heavy as well as fat pockets which can make the eyes look puffy. Darkness in the eyelids is often due to shadowing from fat pockets, and this is improved with blepharoplasty. Darkness due to allergies, increased vascularity or skin thinness may only be partially improved. Other options for these causes include laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and topical medications such as Teamine. The first step to correcting tired eyes and eyelid darkness is to consult with a facial plastic surgeon.

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