Techniques for Improving the Facial Contour in Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery offers many effective methods for improving the facial contour, allowing patients to look several years younger.

Certified plastic surgeon Anda Gaile explains more about these techniques and how to achieve the desired results through collaboration between the patient and the plastic surgeon.

First and foremost, it is important to understand what changes occur in tissues as we age:

Bone structure changes

When comparing the shape of the skulls of a young person and an older person, one observes a lowering and smoothing out of the so-called bony eminences, or protrusions. Consequently, the distribution of soft tissues and the facial profile also change. Correction of bony protrusions, or eminences, is performed through the targeted injection of fillers and the use of various implants.

Changes in facial muscles and fascia, and a reduction in adipose tissue mass

Just like the rest of the body, the facial muscles lose their volume and tone. Their elasticity decreases. As the volume of the subcutaneous fat layer and fat pads changes, the volume of the face changes, and it becomes visually thinner and less expressive.

How can plastic surgery help improve the facial contour?

The goal of plastic surgery is to restore facial volume lost due to aging, prevent the formation of expression lines and static wrinkles, and restore a youthful appearance to the eyes, cheeks, and lower third of the face. Here are Anda Gaile’s recommendations:

Botulinum Toxin Type A

In my opinion, it is the best way to control, reduce, and smooth out the fine lines caused by facial muscles. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that inhibits the activity of a specific facial muscle, thereby preventing the formation of—or significantly smoothing out—expression lines caused by that muscle, such as frown lines, “crow’s feet,” etc.