We all, sometimes in subtle ways, have engaged with some level of facial contouring. Even if it’s only putting on makeup or changing our hairstyle. Our face is our first impression, and many begin down the path of surgical or non-surgical facial contouring to finally achieve the look they have in their mind’s eye. As we age, our face can change a lot. Skin begins to wrinkle and sag, fat builds up and we lose facial volume. But with today’s technology there is a treatment for any facial contouring concern one can have right from our epidermis down to the bone itself.
Here, we intend to list and explain both non-surgical and surgical treatments that have different effects for every part of every face.
Fat Reducers
Kybella the “Fat Melting Injection” has gained much popularity over recent years. it uses synthetic deoxycholic acid to fully destroy fat cells – meaning that once you have achieved your desired results (usually after several sessions) the fat shouldn’t be able to build back up in most cases.
It is mostly used for treating double chins and fat around the neck. The reason we rarely use Kybella on other areas is because removing larger amounts of fat with Kybella can be prohibitably expensive, more expensive than alternatives such as liposuction. But it can still be an option for those who cannot have, or do not want, surgery.
SculpSure is a body contouring treatment that uses specific wavelengths of heat laser to raise temperature in your fat layers. This high temperature will kill fat cells, which over the next few months will be discarded by the body.
SculpSure is used as a ‘toning’ treatment than an obesity treatment. Which is why Healthline advises that it isn’t suitable for people with a BMI over 30 [1]. However, SculpSure is a newer treatment so it has little independent scientific research.
Both FaceTite and AccuTite both work via use of Radiofrequency-Assisted Lipolysis (RFAL), which has the simultaneous effects of tightening skin, stimulating collagen production and contouring fat. While they use the same technology, they are not exactly the same procedure. FaceTite is more appropriate for larger areas like the neck, whereas AccuTite is better for contouring smaller areas. Your provider will be able to advise you on which is the best option for your specific concerns.
Evoke is a similar treatment also using radiofrequency technology. It is mostly used around the lower face and neck, and will most likely require multiple sessions.
Approved by both the US FDA and Korean FDA as a non-invasive facelift procedure, Ultherapy uses a High Intensity Focused Ultrasound device to lift down to the deepest layers of skin. It can also be targeted to customize the treatment for individual patient’s needs. Ultherapy is performed under local anesthetic and one treatment can be completed in less than half an hour. It is the gold standard for non-surgical facelifts. However, it does come with a price tag.
ID Hospital’s Dermatology Clinic performs the most Ultherapy treatments in Asia.
There are several ingredients that can be used as the base for temporary dermal fillers: Hyaluronic acid (HA), Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) and Poly-L-lactic Acid are the main ingredients in products such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra and more. HA is mostly used to treat minor wrinkles and lasts between 6 and 12 months. CaHA is used to treat deeper wrinkles and lasts up to 12 months. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) works differently than the other two. It is known as a “collagen stimulator” and helps your skin rebuild collagen in the target area. It can last between 1 and 2 years [2][3].
However, the US FDA warns against the use of dermal fillers if you have certain medical conditions that effect bleeding or cause allergies [4]. You should always confirm with a medical expert if you suspect you may have some of the above conditions.
If you have a face with deeper indents or little volume, a facial fatgraft may be a better alternative for you to consider.
There is a third kind of filler you may have heard about – “permanent filler”, of which the only FDA approved variant is called Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) [5]. PMMA and other (less legal) substances like it do not get absorbed into the body, so it seems like a perfect option for permanent filling, right? Well, when the filler is permanent, so are the complications, and these complications can be very severe such as tissue necrosis, lumps, granuloma, migrating filler and chronic inflammation. Permanent filler is very difficult to remove and sometimes requires surgery.
Research on 500 people by Mortada et al. published in 2022 found that the rate of permanent filler complications could be as high as 64% [5]. Although this study does have some limitations. And research from Salles et al. at the University of São Paulo describes a much lower risk of complications [6].
The icon. Everyone knows botox. Most associated with wrinkle reduction, botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin. When properly administered by a licensed professional, it is not harmful and can have both cosmetic and medical benefits.
Focusing on the cosmetic side, botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause superficial wrinkling of the skin. Recently content about jaw botox has been going viral online, the botox is injected into the masseter muscle to create a slimming effect. However, it may not be the most effective solution for very deep lines such as prominent nasolabial folds, which would be better addressed by fillers, fat grafts or lifting procedures.
Furthermore, botox only has a temporary effect. So, unless you can commit yourself to regular injection sessions, it might not be good for those looking for a long-term solution.
V-Line surgery has become a cornerstone procedure of East Asian plastic surgery. This procedure slims the entire jawline from the outer jaw to the chin. Many associate V-line surgery with removing the squareness of one’s jaw, but in fact it is a very versatile procedure. It can help those with facial asymmetry, protruding chins or recessed chins.
Before your surgery an in-depth scan of your face will be taken so that surgeons can protect your jaw’s nerve line. The surgery involves osteotomy of the mandibular angle (cutting the squareness from the outer jaw). Followed by the reshaping of the chin via ID Hospital’s patented “Diamond Osteotomy” (Dia Osteotomy) technique. This procedure was developed at ID’s Facial Bone Center, and has been published in the academic journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery [7]. It is a technique that is only performed at ID Hospital.
The chin will be reshaped with surgical pins according to the Golden Ratio of features, it can be pushed forwards, backwards and made slimmer to match with the new angle of the patient’s jawbone.
V-line surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires overnight hospitalization.
One of the most common aesthetic surgeries in the world, rhinoplasty is a broad category of surgeries that reshape the nose. There are an incredible variety of rhinoplasty procedures available to suit various ethnicities and cultures. Would you like your nose bridge higher or lower? Is your septum bent? Bulbous tip? How about the position of your nostrils?
Because rhinoplasty varies so much, things like cost, healing time, type of anesthesia and hospitalization can be different from patient to patient.
Cheekbone reduction, like V-line surgery, is often combined with skin tightening treatments to prevent any sagging that may result from changing the underlying bone structure.
During this surgery, your plastic surgeon will make two cuts into the bone. The most protruded part of the cheekbone will then be pushed inward and secured with surgical pins. This procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and at least one night of hospitalization is required. It’s a great option for people who have extremely pointed or protruding cheekbones, or those who suffer from facial asymmetry.
Brow bone reduction is a popular surgery for transgender women as part of a Facial Feminization Surgery package. But it can be performed on people of any gender. It can make the face look more feminine by reducing the supraorbital bones and the glabella – which are usually more prominent in men.
ID advises that overnight hospitalization is not required for brow bone reduction patients, and the surgery will be done under general anesthesia.
Buccal fat removal has been a hot topic as of late. With some loving the facial definition it can give, while others criticizing the practice say it results in a malnourished appearance that will not age well. But like all things in plastic surgery, results vary with each person’s face. You should focus not just on whether you like the result on others, but also whether it will work in harmony with your existing features.
Buccal fat pads are located inside the lower cheeks, and thus their removal will lessen volume in that area. Some people like how it can create a slimming effect on the face and can emphasize cheekbones. During Buccal fat removal incisions are made on the inside of the patient’s mouth, the buccal fat is then detached and removed. It is often a lighter procedure done under local anesthetic without the need for overnight hospitalization [8].
This form of liposuction is a surgical alternative to Kybella, and can be more economical depending on the case. It involves a surgeon inserting a cannula (thin metal tube) into a small incision in the skin. Precise back-and-forth motion dislodges the fat, which then is removed through the cannula.
Under-chin liposuction is considered a permanent procedure, but, like call kinds of liposuction, the affect can be ruined if the patient’s lifestyle causes them to re-gain a lot of weight.
It is usually carried out under local anesthesia without overnight hospitalization.
You must decide based on level of change desired, budget, tolerance for surgery, recovery time and other surrounding factors such as time off work and your general health.
A medical professional is always the best person to consult when you are deciding between options. They can give you all the details so that you can make an informed decision of what is best for you.
Click on a procedure below to learn more!
“ID Hospital helped me to overcome all of my insecurities and made my dreams come true. I live the life I’ve always wanted with a self-confidence and harmony. Thank you!”
“The first thing I noticed was that my nose bridge got a lot higher and even though it was very swollen I could see a huge difference. I checked in with both of my surgeons, saw my X rays and I loved my results. The recovery was more uncomfortable than painful, but it all was worth it.”
“All in all I am more than satisfied. The way they did the surgery was very tasteful. I got just the right amount of feminine touch that I needed. I really love it.”
“The protruded bone on my eyebrows was trimmed. I also got an eyebrow lift and forehead fat graft for a perfect feminine forehead line. After all the bruising and swelling got down and I got my rhinoplasty cast removed I was amazed by the result. My side profile looked completely different and now I’m in love with my result. I feel that I found a true self thanks to ID Hospital and its professional surgeons.”
“I’m more confident than ever. I achieved my goal look and now I’m ready to continue my actress and model career. That’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I recommend ID 100 percent. The treatment and care was amazing, they have nurses and staff around all the time, so you can get the help you need at all times.”
ID Hospital is the leading plastic surgery hospital in South Korea. We only employ board-certified plastic surgeons Our research and exclusive surgical techniques have been recognized both by audiences at international symposiums and academic journals, including The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. We also prioritize patient safety by performing comprehensive medical examinations before surgery, monitoring our operating rooms with CCTV and investing in our high-tech hospital building which has an uninterruptable power supply system and fire-proof construction.
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1. Healthline (2021) Understanding SculpSure for Nonsurgical Fat Reduction. Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/sculpsure#purpose Accessed 29th November 2023
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2020) FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers. Available at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/fda-approved-dermal-fillers Accessed 29th November 2023
3. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (2023) Injectable Fillers Guide. Available at https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/non-surgical/injectable-fillers-guide/ Accessed on 29th November 2023
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2023) Dermal Filler Do’s and Don’ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More Available at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more#:~:text=Temporary%20fillers%20include%20the%20following,)%2C%20a%20biodegradable%2C%20synthetic%20material Accessed 29th November 2023
5. Mortada et al. (2022) ‘Complications following Permanent Filler Injection: A Prospective Cohort Study and Protocol of Management’, Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 10(11): e4687.
6. Salles et al. (2008) ‘Complications after Polymethylmethacrylate Injections: Report of 32 Cases’ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 121(5):p 1811-1820
7. Lee et al. (2013) ‘Contouring of the Lower Face by a Novel Method of Narrowing and Lengthening Genioplasty’, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 133(3):p 274e-282e. Available at: https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/abstract/2014/03000/contouring_of_the_lower_face_by_a_novel_method_of.13.aspx Accessed 29th November 2023
8. Johns Hopkins Medicine with Boahene, K. M.D. (2023) Buccal Fat Removal. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/cosmetic-procedures/buccal-fat-removal Accessed: 29th November 2023
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