How to Achieve Facial Symmetry

It’s very uncommon to have a completely symmetrical face. However, many people want to fix asymmetrical features to achieve a more balanced look. While face exercises or makeup can help, some people also consider cosmetic procedures to boost their self-esteem and make themselves more confident in their appearance.

Not every cosmetic surgery is right for everyone, so you should figure out which of your facial features are imbalanced or asymmetrical. It can be hard to pinpoint exactly what should change to let you reach your cosmetic goals, but a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help. You and your doctor can discuss your goals and decide whether any cosmetic procedures are the right option. Here are some of the most popular cosmetic procedures for improving facial symmetry:

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty surgery can reshape your nose and make your face more symmetrical. Because it’s in the center of your face, a crooked or asymmetrical nose can make your entire face look unbalanced. Rhinoplasty can correct most cosmetic issues with the nose and can also improve its functioning.

During the surgery, your doctor will either make incisions on the inside of your nose or on the strip of skin between your nostrils. Then, they’ll lift the skin to expose the bone and cartilage underneath. Depending on the goals of the surgery, they may remove or rearrange the bone and cartilage to achieve a more symmetrical structure. They may also take cartilage from your ear or your ribs to widen your nose or fill in a depression.

Once your surgeon has achieved the right look and structure, they’ll close the incisions and place a splint over your nose. Most people go home the day of their surgery, but some people have to stay overnight.

Rhinoplasty is a great way to achieve facial symmetry, but it also requires patience. Most swelling goes away within a couple weeks, but some residual swelling can last for up to a year. The final results won’t be visible until all the swelling is gone, so it’s not an immediate solution. However, as long as you don’t experience any injuries or trauma to your face, your rhinoplasty results will be permanent and can make a big difference in your self-confidence.

Chin Augmentation or Reduction

A chin augmentation surgery can enhance your chin and correct any asymmetrical features. During the surgery, an implant will be placed into your chin to change its size and shape and achieve a balance with your other facial features. The implant is custom-made to fit around your chin bone, so your surgeon will design it to ensure your chin will be symmetrical. The surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, and it usually takes under an hour.

Compared to other surgeries, chin augmentation has relatively little downtime. You should be able to go back to work and your other daily activities within a week, and the recovery period shouldn’t be very painful. It only takes about three months for all the swelling to go away and for the final results to be visible.

If your chin protrudes too much and isn’t in balance with the rest of your face, you could consider a chin reduction surgery. During this surgery, your doctor will remove or reshape the bone and tissue, improving the contour of your face. Like chin augmentation, chin reduction is a fairly quick and easy procedure. Your doctor will make a small incision inside your mouth or under your chin. When they’ve achieved the desired shape, they’ll use wires and plates to secure the new bone structure.

Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation is another way to correct asymmetrical facial features. The size or shape of your lips can make a big difference in the appearance of your entire face, and lip augmentation is a quick and easy procedure. If your upper and lower lips aren’t balanced or if one side is fuller than the other, lip injections can restore symmetry.

The most common lip filler is hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in your body and can safely increase the volume of your lips. Your surgeon can control the amount of filler and the placement of the injections, so they can target specific areas of your lips to fill out to make them more symmetrical.

Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is a quick procedure that doesn’t require any downtime for recovery. Your doctor will probably apply a local numbing agent to your lips before applying the injections. The results should be noticeable immediately and usually last about six months.

Dr. Andres Bustillo is one of the most sought facial plastic surgeons in South Florida. He specializes in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, neck lift and facelift in Miami, FL. To learn more about Dr. Bustillo, you can visit his website: https://www.drbustillo.com

*PR post for Andres Bustillo, MD