Every day people come to Smith Cosmetic Surgery wondering how to fix problem areas on their neck, face and brow. With the abundance of information in media and print many first-time patients come to us seriously misinformed about the achievable results related to popular non-surgical procedures and surgical options such as a mini facelift.
By surveying confused and frustrated patients, long-time facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brent J. Smith and staff members in Denver have learned a lot about half-truths floating around—and where they’re coming from. We hope we can set the record straight about common questions regarding the health of the body’s most beautiful and prominent feature: the face.
We know there’s a matrix of misinformation on the Internet, which is one of the first places most people privately research information on a variety of lifestyle choices, including plastic surgery. Undocumented articles and advice are prevalent on the Web, and sadly far too many people take this written information at face value—as fact. This is a great disservice to qualified facial cosmetic surgeons and patients alike.
Additionally, Smith Cosmetic Surgery regularly consults with new patients who come in asking for the same procedure that a friend or family member raved about. With such enthusiasm come very high expectations that a similar procedure, whether a surgical facelift or non-surgical injectable or filler, will produce the same effects on a completely different and individual face. This mindset creates a conundrum, as we must quickly dispel the myth that cosmetic surgery techniques are universal. In fact, the opposite is true. Dr. Smith customizes each surgery to ensure that patients simply look like a refreshed and younger version of themselves—rather than refining a face to mimic another.
So how does the average person wade through all of this information from so many different sources? They don’t. That’s what we’re here for. When you come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Smith he will evaluate your concerns and long-term goals to help you make the most informed decision possible based on your individual face and future.
Even with over 25 years of experience operating exclusively on the face, Dr. Smith cannot give advice about whether a surgical or non-surgical procedure is optimal for an individual without an in-person meeting. These important decisions are always case-by-case, and there’s never a universal surgical or non-surgical solution that works perfectly for every person. Part of our job as professionals in the plastic surgery and skincare industry is to educate our clients, and we take that charge very seriously at Smith Cosmetic Surgery.
By far the No. 1 issue patients inquire about is an unattractive neck. This could be a natural loosening of skin under the chin caused by waning elasticity, creating a “turkey neck”; other times it’s a genetic double chin that’s become more prominent over the years. The neck is a common area of concern, and we certainly understand why.
Many who are unhappy with the look of their aging jowls and neck ask Smith Cosmetic Surgery about non-surgical neck-sculpting procedures they’ve heard or read about that are claiming dramatic results. Smith Cosmetic Surgery certainly doesn’t de-value non-surgical procedures, such as the popular Botox and Juvederm products, and other laser-based skin resurfacing procedures. We offer many of these advanced non-invasive offerings for good reason. Our goal as cosmetic experts is to set reasonable expectations around all non-surgical methodologies.
It all starts with educating patients about the real aging process. It may be surprising, but most prospective patients trying to make a decision about surgical and non-surgical options are not clear about how the body—and specifically the skin on and around the face—actually ages. Once they are informed about how all skin loses elasticity and collagen over time, resulting in hallowed cheeks, sunken eyes and/or a sagging forehead, it’s much easier to discuss the most appropriate procedure or combination of techniques.
Generally, Smith Cosmetic Surgery considers its non-surgical offerings—fillers, injectables, laser-based resurfacing, skincare lines—preventative or maintenance procedures. That means when started early enough, regular resurfacing or effective fillers, for example, can make a big difference in how you look as you age. We consider these smart preventative measures leading up to a mini facelift or full facelift in the future.
Likewise, non-surgical aids work very well to help maintain a previous surgical procedure, in effect extending the fresh, youthful look created by a well-crafted, natural-looking mini facelift. These simple, outpatient procedures can work wonders to fill in those emerging wrinkles, reverse the surface appearance of sun-damaged skin and create the illusion of a tighter, more radiant face.
However, what non-surgical approaches cannot do is change the muscle structure in any part of the face. The reality is no professional-grade skin cream, injectable or laser-sculpting device can elevate the brow or reduce sagging skin around the neck. Once the deep musculature of the face has relaxed and shifted due to the inevitable aging processes, some form of surgery will be required to achieve a younger-looking face.
When it comes to sorting through the non-surgical “miracle” cures on the market, our advice is simple: If it seems too good to be true, think twice. There is no magic solution. Before you spend your money on a procedure, get informed with a free consultation with Dr. Smith.
We’re here to help answer all of your pressing questions—and truly make the face you’ve always wanted (or didn’t even know was possible) a reality. We listen and support you through your entire cosmetic surgery journey. Dr. Smith’s national reputation and 25 years of experience operating exclusively on the face should assure you that you’re in capable hands. Let’s start the conversation today.
