Facial Cosmetic Surgery Guide

We oftentimes feel pressure from society to look our best. Whether it be to advance in your career or to remain young-looking for as long as possible, most of us feel pressured in some form or another. For those who are in a reasonably healthy state of mind but are looking to boost their confidence, facial cosmetic surgery is one option. It should not be used to compensate for low self-esteem; there are many risks involved and no amount of surgery can make up for a lack of self-worth. Cosmetic surgery also has its limitations, but with the right mindset and expectations, you can achieve results which can provide an excellent boost to your overall quality of life.

This article will help you understand some of the common procedures performed on the face and what kind of costs are important to consider. The costs of surgery will vary dramatically depending on the country that they are performed in. Always be aware, however, that with reduced cost comes higher risk.

Rhinoplasty (colloquially called a nose job) is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries that are performed on the face. There are surgical as well as non-surgical methods of reshaping the nose, however only surgery offers permanent solutions.

Rhinoplasty can be performed for various reasons with a wide range of costs. For those not satisfied with their nose from an aesthetic perspective, cosmetic surgery exists as an option. Patients who have suffered an accident or who have respiratory problems can have their nose reshaped for reconstructive and functional purposes, respectively, as well.

The cost varies depending on the procedure and the region of the world you have it performed, but you can expect to pay anywhere in between $3,000 to $8,000, the average cost of rhinoplasty being approximately $4,200. It's a steep price and, for younger people who tend to earn less income, it may seem like a tempting offer to go for the cheapest option you can find, but opting for a lower price is inherently riskier.

Rhinoplasty can be used to make a nose smaller, reduce a dorsal hump, shorten a long tip--essentially remodel the nose to your liking. It is always cautioned to pick a shape that compliments your face and that may not necessarily be a small, button nose.

Lips start to sag as you grow older. Some people are also simply unsatisfied with their shape and appearance. There are options for creating a fuller pout or reducing the size of your lips if they are too big and take too much focus away from the rest of your features. There is a fairly substantial list of procedures available today that can augment your lips.

Injectable Fillers

The most common method for augmenting lips is by injecting fillers. While these are rarely permanent, they come at a cheaper cost than having surgery and there is no risk of scarring. There is always a risk of infection--or the risk of your body rejecting the filler that's injected--but if you are frightened of going under the knife, injectable fillers may offer a solution. Expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $600.

Lip Lift Surgery

If there is too much distance in between the bottom of your nose and your upper lip, then a lip lift procedure may benefit you. A procedure called a "bullhorn lift" involves taking a small amount of skin from under the nose and closing the distance afterwards. The result is a shortened upper lip, though only the central part of the upper lip will have more fullness or pout. The cost ranges between $1,500 and $2,500.

Complications have arisen from this procedure. A scar might be visible on somebody young. Because the skin is being pulled taut to compensate for what is now missing, there have been reports where a lip lift procedure changing the shape of the tip of the nose by pulling down on it. The results from this procedure can be very satisfying but it's important to keep the risks in mind.

Lip Suspension

A lip suspension procedure is a safer alternative to having a bullhorn lift that does not leave any visible scarring behind. A small incision is made inside the nose, and then a suture is passed through the inside of the nose to the inside of the upper lip. The desired pout can be achieved by varying the tension of the suture when tying it. Once the same procedure is performed on the opposite side of the lip, the results become balanced and even. The cost for this procedure, on average, is $2,000.

Blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin, muscle or fat in order to get rid of wrinkles, puffiness and overlapping skin which may cause obscured vision in some patients. Incisions are made following the natural creases of your eyelids so that there is little trace of scarring left afterwards and the result is often a more youthful, rejuvenated look. For both upper and lower eyelid procedures, expect to pay somewhere around $5,000.

Cheek implants can be used to achieve balance among facial features and a more youthful look. In this procedure, a small implant is set underneath the skin. Depending on the shape of the implant, cheek augmentation has the potential to completely redefine the shape of your face. Depending on the results you're looking for, different implants can be used. While the cost for the procedure alone is $2,000 to $3,000, because of lab fees, blood tests, x-rays and other factors, the cost may range from $2,400 to $5,000 instead.

There are many different kinds of implants to choose from--so many, in fact (60-70), that you may not know where to begin. A qualified surgeon can help you choose the right one based on your consultation with them so long as you are open and honest with them about your goals and expectations.

Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that involves changing the appearance of a patient's ears. The most common procedure involves bringing the ears closer to the head (which is often referred to as ear pinning), although many other procedures exist. Otoplasty can be used to reduce large ears, reshape the cartilage and reconstruct ears that are deformed. The surgery can be performed by a plastic surgeon, an ENT surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and, depending on your specific needs, may or may not require an incision. The fee ranges in between $2,225 to $5,000.

Facial Feminization Surgery (commonly abbreviated FFS) does not cover any single cosmetic procedure but rather a group of procedures that bear some attention and which can be combined to shape a more feminine appearance. The removal of forehead bossing, which is a typical masculine trait, is often the largest focus, with rhinoplasty and other forms of surgery catering to the needs of unique individuals. For those who were born with a typically masculine appearance, FFS is a good (albeit costly option, with combined costs frequently running over the $20,000 mark) for reducing those traits.