Face contouring

Last updated date: 17-Jul-2023

Originally Written in English

Face contouring

A person’s facial shape usually has an essential impact when it comes to determining the general image and appearance. Since we are not all the same, there are instances where one is not happy or satisfied with the facial shape or size. In such cases, finding a corrective treatment procedure is usually the most sought option. 

While there might be other options, face contouring is probably the best alternative to consider. This is a surgical operation that aims at modifying the initial shape and size of the face. It focuses on giving you the ideal appearance you want. However, finding the best healthcare provider is the key to achieving your desired goals. 

 

Purpose of Facial Contouring 

Most people opt for face contouring treatment, intending to change the structural component of the face. It can include the chin, jaws, and chin. Thus, the surgeons can perform the procedure by placing implants on the target area or extracting excess fat cells. 

The procedure also aims at making a face more balanced and appealing. This is achievable through the addition of fullness to make the cheekbones appear higher. This also gives the chin a finer look and makes the jawline broad and robust. 

While facial contouring is an effective way of modifying the face structure, it’s essential to consider the changes you intend to make cautiously. You should also find a clear picture of how you want to look at the end. This is to enable the plastic surgeon to understand your needs. 

 

Face shape

Before you begin with face contouring, you must first grasp the form of your face. Each form has various contouring needs, and you will never be able to get the ideal results unless you are familiar with them. Let's look at how to contour a face based on its form.

  • Round Face

A round face has the same dimensions for the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. To create a more angular appearance to a round face, accentuate the sides of the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

  • Square Face

A square face is identical to a round face, with the exception that the corners of a round face are softer. Contouring procedures for a square face include softening the edges.

  • Oval Face

An oval face is a perfectly formed face with a broad forehead that is larger than the cheekbones and a long face with an angular jawline. Face contouring is a good option for those with an oval-shaped face since it allows them to perfect tiny elements.

  • Heart-Shaped Face

A heart-shaped face features a broad brow and a pointed chin. Smoothing and reducing the pointiness of the chin to make it look smoother is part of contouring a heart-shaped face.

  • Long Face

A long-faced individual has an equal-sized forehead, cheekbones, and jawline but on a larger face. Contour makeup techniques for a long face entail contouring around the brow and jawline to make the face look smaller.

 

Types of Facial Contouring Approaches 

Typically, there are several types of facial contouring methods and treatment alternatives. These techniques target certain facial areas and make an individual look more beautiful and attractive. However, the type of facial contouring procedure to choose usually depends on the facial sections that require adjustments. It also depends on the overall personal objectives. 

The types of facial contouring techniques can thus include the following; 

  • Facial implants

 Facial implants provide a wide variety of contouring, redefining, and uplifting solutions in all parts of the face. This can include the lips, nose, eyebrows, jawlines, chin, and cheeks. The purpose of this form of facial procedure involves tightening and toning the facial skin. In other cases, it aims at eliminating sagging skin and reducing aging signs by making it smooth and more voluminous.

  • Facial liposuction 

This is a minimally invasive type of facial contouring surgery. It involves the removal of excess fat cells from the areas of the face that requires improvement. This makes your face more beautiful and appealing. 

  • Facial grafting 

Facial grafting 

Facial grafting is an approach that is performed by obtaining fat cells from different parts of the body. It can be from the thighs, buttocks, or belly. The acquired fat cells are then liquefied to make them injectable into the parts of the face that required adjustment or additional volume. 

  • Lip contouring 

The lip contouring method is more suitable for patients who want to contour or modify the appearance of the lips. It involves the use of simple, non-invasive treatment procedures. The plastic surgeon can recommend dermal filler injections with hyaluronic acid that is naturally generated in the body. This generally increases the volume to shapeless, thin, or pale-looking lips. 

  • Cheek augmentation 

The cheek augmentation technique has gradually evolved over the past few years. Most facial plastic surgeons do not recommend the placement of cheek implants. This is because the face muscles are continuously developing and becoming more potent with time. Therefore, the cheek augmentation procedure involves remodeling or reshaping the existing structure. Alternatively, it can include injection or direct removal of the fat cells from the body. 

  • Chin augmentation 

This facial contouring approach is more common among men. It’s an effective way of improving the jawline structure to make it appear masculine and more robust. In women, the procedure involves increasing the chin volume to make it appear more feminine and soft. 

  • Neck and brow lift 

In most women, the neck and the eyebrows are the main contention areas, especially as they age. These body parts usually display the most common aging signs. It includes the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, deep brow lines, and sagging skin. However, brow lifts and neck lift procedures can help reduce such facial issues. Furthermore, the methods are simple and minimally invasive; hence the results are appealing. 

  • Ear lobe surgery 

This surgical procedure is also known as otoplasty. It’s a non-invasive surgical intervention to correct protruding ears. It basically involves reshaping and back pinning of the ears to make them less noticeable but more appealing. 

  • Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

This is a rapid, non-surgical alternative to a surgical nose job that uses dermal fillers to correct minimal or minor nose abnormalities, asymmetry, or a nasal hump. It's perfect for people who want to avoid surgery or don't have the time to recuperate from surgical rhinoplasty.

  • Forehead and Brow Lift

Aging frequently causes the forehead to sag or the brows to droop, which can draw attention away from the eyes. Gotham Plastic Surgery's professional plastic surgeons can restore a smoother forehead or arched brows with a forehead and/or brow lift that draws attention back to your bright, renewed eyes and forehead.

  • Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can rejuvenate tired-looking eyes caused by drooping or sagging eyelids. By repairing either your top or lower eyelids, this eyelid surgery can restore the windows to your soul (or both).

  • Chin & Cheek

If you believe you have a weaker look due to a tiny chin or that your nose seems larger due to a flat cheek, skillfully placed facial implants can dramatically change your face. The overall contour of your face can be altered by placing implants in the chin and/or cheek, giving you newfound confidence in your look.

  • Otoplasty

Ears that are too huge or protrude excessively might give your face an unflattering contour. An otoplasty decreases the size or corrects the prominence of the ear(s), allowing you to feel more confident about your appearance. 

 

Who Can Undergo Face Contouring Procedure? 

The face contouring procedure is suitable for people who feel that their facial shape and structure are not good-looking. However, according to medical providers, not every person is eligible to undergo the procedure. Instead, you should consider facial contouring if you are physically, mentally, and psychologically in good health.

It’s also essential to ensure that your body and the immune system are in the best possible shape. This helps reduce the risks of various complications. On the other hand, the procedure is not suitable for individuals with underlying health issues. This could affect the entire operation and even result in additional problems. Moreover, people who smoke are not eligible to undergo face contouring procedures. 

 

What to Expect During the Procedure?

Face contouring procedure

Face contouring is generally a complex procedure. This is because it involves accurate identification of the blood vessels, soft tissues, and nerves located in the face. Furthermore, it's done by accurately and safely taking out sections of the facial bone without causing any damage. It can also involve the placement of implants without damaging the surrounding areas. 

The procedure is also done under local or general anesthesia. This helps numb the surgical area to prevent pain or make you unconscious during the process. 

In addition, you should expect the following when undergoing a facial contouring procedure; 

  • Cheek surgery 

This involves creating an incision in the upper lip in which the surgeon will use to modify the cheek. In case you also want a forehead lift or facelift, then the surgeon will use the external cuts created for the procedure to adjust the cheeks. 

Through the incision, the surgeon will insert the implant between the cheekbone tissues and neck tissues. It’s then stitched in place, and the incision is dressed to facilitate quick healing. Generally, cheek surgery can take one hour, depending on the patient’s goals and requirements. 

  • Chin surgery 

Chin Surgery

With chin surgery, the surgeon can either create an incision in the lower lip or externally on the skin beneath the chin. The chin bone tissues are then lifted off to make room for the implant. The implant is usually two inches in length. 

Once in position, the surgeon will firmly stitch the implant in place and suture the incision. Generally, chin surgery can take approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the desired facial goals. 

  • Jaw surgery 

Jaw surgery involves the creation of the incision in the mouth along the lower jawline. Through the incision, the surgeon will directly insert the implant on the jawbone beneath the tissue. 

The procedure generally involves inserting the facial implants via the mouth. Therefore, the mouth and gums should be healthy enough to withstand the process. The entire surgery can take up to one or two hours. 

 

What to Expect After the Procedure?

If you are undergoing cheek or chin surgery, then the stitch used will dissolve after some time. Alternatively, you can return to the hospital to have them removed after a few days of the operation. 

If you undergo jaw surgery, the surgeon can recommend a special diet involving liquids and soft meals. This is for at least one week or even more. You should also expect your mouth, especially the surgical site, to be sore and stiff. 

Furthermore, the recovery period for jaw surgery is usually longer. During the entire period, you might experience severe swelling that interferes with the ability to smile. This also makes it difficult to move the mouth normally for a few weeks. 

The full recovery can take about two weeks, after which you can resume your normal daily activities. However, swelling and bruising might not diminish for three or more weeks after the procedure. 

 

Before and after surgery 

1.

Before and after face contouring surgery

Before and after face contouring surgery

Before and after face contouring surgery

2.

Before and after face contouring surgery

Face contouring before and after

Face contouring before and after

 

Face Contouring using Juvederm Voluma and Juvederm Volux

 

Juvederm Voluma and Juvederm Volux

Juvederm Voluma is an injectable hyaluronic acid volumiser that shapes the face by adding volume to the chin, cheeks, and cheekbones. Juvederm Volux is a dermal filler that is designed to define and contour the chin and jawline. Both products can be used in tandem to provide all-over face contouring and structure.

Smooth, round features, high cheekbones, hollow jowls, and a slender, well-defined jawline describe an appealing face. The "triangle of beauty" or "heart of face" is formed by these characteristics, with its base at the top and peak below.

As we age, face fat loss, gravity, and loss of the skin's natural elasticity all work together to invert the composition of this triangle, resulting in a narrower, less youthful forehead and temple area and a wider, heavier jawline.

Juvéderm Voluma, on the other hand, may restore the face's equilibrium and heart-shaped proportions by re-volumising facial hollows and lost volume and re-contouring the cheeks, cheekbones, and nose for a fuller, softer, more youthful appearance. Juvederm Volux, on the other hand, can help to balance the lower face with your freshly revitalized cheeks and mid-facial by adding structure to the jaw.

Juvéderm Voluma helps to restore face volume that has been lost due to aging and weight loss. The effects are seen immediately after treatment and might remain for up to 24 months. Following treatment, your facial features should seem broader and rounder, giving your face a softer, more youthful appearance.

Juvederm Volux is a dermal filler that was created specifically to shape the jawline and chin for enhanced face contouring. This new dermal filler may be used in conjunction with Juvederm Voluma in various regions of the face to achieve all-over facial contouring. Because the effects of Juvederm Volux endure for more than 18 months, the transformation is clearly noticeable.

 

Risks of Face Contouring 

Like any other type of surgery, facial contouring surgery is also associated with several risks and side effects. Although most are treatable and manageable, you should expect any of the following risks; 

  • Acute to chronic pain and easy bruising
  • Negative reaction to anesthesia that can sometimes cause headache 
  • Swelling and inflammation around the surgical site 
  • Bleeding on the surgical area and drainage difficulty
  • Nerve damage that can result in lip numbness or asymmetrical smile 
  • Asymmetry of the face or uneven healing 

 

Conclusion 

Face contouring

Face contouring surgery is an effective approach to improve facial structure and features. It also aims at alleviating the appearance of aging signs. Normally, the skin tends to lose elasticity with age, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin. However, you will have nice-looking and more youthful facial skin after surgery.