Facial Implants
Facial implants are small pieces of medical-grade silicone that are used to enhance the structure and harmony of the face and provide greater facial contouring.
Dr. Cat Begovic is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, California. She is a three-time winner of Best of Beverly Hills Award in the cosmetic surgeons category.
What are facial implants?
Facial implants are small pieces of medical-grade silicone that are used to enhance the structure and harmony of the face and provide greater facial contouring. There are three areas of the face where facial implants are most commonly used:
Jaw Implants (Mandibular Implants)
Jaw implants can give a more defined jawline and is a popular procedure for both men and women. Some patients opt to combine jaw implants with a rhinoplasty because of the aesthetic connection the jawline shares with the structure of the nose.
Chin Implant
A chin implant can provide greater harmony to the face by enhancing the look and size of the chin area. Both men and women with smaller, less defined chins choose this surgery to bring more balance to the face.
Cheek Implants
Also known as cheek augmentation, cheek implants give the area between the nose and eyes more volume and fullness. Because the cheek area consists of multiple regions, the procedure is divided into three distinct types of cheek implants:
Malar implants, which when placed atop the cheekbones, create a higher cheekbone appearance.
Submalar cheek implants give more fuller looking cheeks.
Combined cheek implant procedures, as the name implies, use both malar and submalar implants.
Who is a candidate for facial implants?
If you feel like adding more fullness and structure to your cheeks, chin, or jawline, you may be a good candidate for facial implants. Both men and women can benefit from the balancing effects facial implants provide. On the other hand, for patients who feel their face has too much volume, a Buccal Fat removal procedure can create greater contouring and remove unwanted volume from the face.
Prior to surgery, I will evaluate your physical and mental health to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. To ensure your health and safety, you’ll be asked to get clearance from your primary care provider prior to surgery as well since you will be under anesthesia.
Benefits of Facial Implants
Facial implants provide an effective long-term solution for patients wanting to enhance their face’s structure and facial harmony. While facial fillers offer a quicker, non-surgical way to plump up the skin of the face, the gel isn’t recommended for areas that require more structure like the jawline and chin. Facial fillers also do not typically last beyond a year following the procedure. Facial implants however are a more permanent solution that doesn’t require continuous upkeep like facial fillers.
What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used?
Typically general anesthesia is used for facial implants. Facial implant surgery is generally a quick procedure, which should take about an hour or two. Before surgery, you will be required to obtain medical clearance, which ensures patients are healthy enough for surgery by ensuring all criteria are met.
How long do facial implants last?
Facial implants are permanent implants that do not need replacement. However, if at some point you would like to change the look of your face, removal of facial implants is a very easy and quick procedure. The implants used for facial augmentation are made of high-quality medical-grade silicone, a substance that is non-reactive to your body’s tissue. Breast implants use a liquid form of silicone that can break down over time. That’s why it’s recommended that breast implants be replaced every 10 years. However, facial implants use a solid silicone which doesn’t require replacement.
Facial Implants Recovery and Results: What to Expect
It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising in the implant area after your surgery. Depending on the location of your facial implant, you may also feel some muscle tightness and constricted facial movement. Recovery typically takes around six to eight weeks. After the recovery time, you should feel back to your normal self and can resume your everyday activities. Your implant area will feel like natural tissue to the touch.
Dr. Aric Park is our facial cosmetic surgery expert. His artistry and meticulous attention to detail provide patients with natural looking results that enhance the harmony and balance of their face. Dr. Park’s decades of experience allow him to give patients the aesthetic results they are looking for.
Are facial implants painful?
Dr. Park’s gentle technique prioritizes patient comfort. Since the procedure will be done using general anesthesia, you won’t feel anything during surgery. Post-surgery, there may be some minor discomfort at the surgery site for 24-48 hours, but over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol should be sufficient in easing this discomfort. Facial implants are a minor surgery and Dr. Park makes the smallest, most minimal incisions in order to provide for less pain and a quick recovery.
Do facial implants leave scars?
Because facial implants go on a very visible area of the body, many people are concerned about scarring. However, Dr. Park uses an incision closure technique to produce nearly invisible scars. This is extremely important. For facial implants along the chin and jawline, Dr. Park makes sure incisions are done in the least visible regions of the face possible. We understand that you want to achieve facial harmony while not having a visible scar that shows you had plastic surgery work done. By choosing an expert in facial plastic surgery, like Dr. Park, you can ensure the most refined, natural-looking results.
About Dr. Cat
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Cat Begovic is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. She graduated from Harvard University with Honors in Molecular and Cellular biology. From there she was awarded her medical degree at UCLA, where she also finished two surgical residencies. Dr. Cat has been in private practice since June 2010.
Dr. Cat’s passion for plastic surgery and for women’s transformation, her meticulous attention to detail, and her unique skills have positioned her as a leader in the field of cosmetic surgery.
