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 or an erbium Fraxel® 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 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

Fraxel re:store® is an erbium laser that treats Sun damaged skin and other signs of aging skin including fine lines and skin discoloration. A series of treatments with about 4 days of mild downtime with each treatment is standard to obtain reliable skin rejuvenation.

Clear + Brilliant is an entirely new class of aesthetic laser that fills the gap between over the counter skin treatments and more aggressive CO2 or Fraxel® laser treatments to provide a more effective skin treatment for those in between patients. The treatment provides excellent results on the brown and red blotches of skin pigmentation that is so pervasive and bothersome in younger aged individuals. Essentially the treatment is pain-free and has no downtime.

Isolaz Therapy is a breakthrough aesthetic treatment that uses a revolutionary combination of pneumatic energy and broadband light. Isolaz 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 Isolaz Therapy. More info.

Thermage® (the "lunchtime lift") is a procedure that employs a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology called Thermage CPT®. 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 Thermage CPT®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. Other filler products are available. (Find out more.)

Other facial treatments and procedures include: skin care products; chin surgery; forehead lift; fat & filler injections; lip enhancement; face/neck liposuction; cleft-lip and palate surgery; ear deformity surgery; head/neck and skin cancer surgery; scar revision; skin grafting; orbit and facial bone reconstruction.

See also skin cancer and the feature article About Facelifts.