Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems.

A facelift (rhytidectomy) can improve the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of the face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. A facelift can improve the deep cheek folds, jowls and loose, sagging skin around the neck that come with age.

In laser skin resurfacing, sometimes called "laser peel," a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. The CO2 laser has been shown to actually increase the amount of collagen protein in the skin, resulting in potentially long lasting reduction of fine skin lines. More info.

Microdermabrasion (the "lunchtime peel") is an effective alternative to laser or chemical peels. It is non-invasive, non-surgical and requires no down time. You can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. In addition, your skin is free of redness, irritation and particle contamination. Microdermabrasion removes the topmost layer of skin, leaving it supple and vibrant. The DiamondTome™ Wand, an innovative technology, removes this skin layer by gently abrading with natural diamond chips while at the same time vacuuming the dead skin cells away in a sterile and controlled manner, leaving a smoother texture and promoting new growth. (See diagram.) Treatments vary from four to ten sessions.

Microdermabasion is used to: reduce fine wrinkles; rejuvenate sun-damaged skin on face, neck and shoulders; reduce age spots on face and hands; minimize blotchy skin coloring; reduce acne, chicken pox scars, and superficial scars from a past injury; extract blackheads and whiteheads; reduce minor to moderate early aging fine lines around the eyes and forehead; extract blackheads and whiteheads; reduce hyperpigmentation; improve oily skin; blend cosmetic surgery or laser treatments. More info.

In Botox® injection facial wrinkles are smoothed through injection of Botulinium toxin into muscles. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles. More info

Photopneumatic (PPx) Therapy is a breakthrough aesthetic treatment that uses a revolutionary combination of pneumatic energy and broadband light. PPx treatments are no pain treatments that are clinically proven effective and safe for the treatment of unwanted hair on the face or body; age spots or brown blotchy pigmentation on the skin; broken capillaries or broken blood vessels that cause redness; and telangiectasias or fine facial veins. Immediately following treatment, you can resume your normal activities. There is no down time after PPx Therapy. More info.

Thermage® (the "lunchtime lift") is a procedure that employs a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology called ThermaCool®NXT. It has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. (It can aslo be used on the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.) The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types. The ThermaCool®NXT device has been cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of facial wrinkles and rhytids. More info.

Radiesse™ injectable filler

Radiesse™ is the newest non-surgical facial contouring filler that delivers an immediate, longer lasting result. Facial contouring applications include nasolabial folds, marinonette lines, cheek augumentation, non-surgical rhinoplasty, jaw line and chin augmentation. (Find out more.)

Other treatments and procedures include: cheek implants; skin care products; chin surgery; forehead lift; fat injection; lip enhancement; face/neck liposuction; cleft-lip and palate surgery; ear deformity surgery; head/neck and skin cancer surgery; skull/orbit and facial bone reconstruction.

See also skin cancer and the feature article About Facelifts.