Achieving harmony of facial features is one of the most important goals of cosmetic (aesthetic) plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgery can reshape the nose or reduce prominent ears. Sometimes enhancing a single facial feature improves facial balance thereby enhancing overall appearance.
Buccal Fat Pad Excision
The buccal fat pad is a discrete pocket of fat under the cheek bone and above the jawline. Those individuals with a full midface, or "chubby cheeks", who desire refinement, sculpting, or enhancement of their skeletal features, and reduction of facial fullness by diminishing midface volume, are potential candidates for excision of the buccal fat pad. This is a facial contouring technique that can give the illusion of a slimmer jawline. Hollywood starlets in the late '90s used to have it done to enhance their cheekbones. It is ideal for those with moderate-to-good-elasticity, and reduction of this heaviness can create a cleaner, leaner jawline contour. The procedure can be performed via an intraoral approach, with or without concomitant lipoplasty of the jowls and neck, or in conjunction with other related facial procedures, including a facelift. Ultimately, the goal of buccal fat pad excision is enhanced facial aesthetics - contouring that highlights the angularity of the facial skeletal features.
Rhinoplasty
The goal of rhinoplasty is to reshape the nose so that it complements other facial features.
Reshaping is generally performed using incisions inside the nose. In some instances, an "open" technique is required which entails the use of an incision on the column of skin between the nostrils. Herein, the nose can be reduced, or built up, by adjusting its supporting structures. This is accomplished either by removing or adding bone and cartilage allowing the skin and soft tissues to assume their new shape over this "scaffolding". In addition, breathing problems consequent to irregularities in the internal structures of the nose can be addressed thereby improving the nasal airway. This can be done as an isolated procedure or in conjunction with alterations which would influence the external appearance of the nose.
Refinement of the nose, unlike any other aesthetic procedure, demands great skill by the surgeon in order to produce the desired result while simultaneously avoiding an operated look. Knowledge of anatomy is critical as is the fundamental concept that alteration of one component part profoundly affects the others thereby exerting a profound influence on external appearance.
Otoplasty
Otoplasty can improve the shape, size or position of the ear. A reduction in size or correction of protrusion often enhances facial balance, harmony and improves the overall facial aesthetic.
Ear surgery may be performed at any age though it is often recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction prior to school age helps avoid potential psychological trauma from classmates.
During otoplasty, the supporting tissue of the ear, or cartilage, is reshaped in order to produce the desired outcome. This is accomplished through incisions placed behind the ear. As the ear may be conceptually divided into upper, middle and lower regions each can influence overall appearance and therefore may need correction as an isolated entity or in combination with the others. Careful assessment of the ear from different views during procedure helps to ensure this outcome. Once again, correct examination and diagnosis lead to proper treatment.