Question: I had tip work performed several months ago. Is it normal for the cartilage in the tip to feel very hard at this time?

Answer: Yes, it is not unusual at all for the tip of the nose to feel very hard a few months after a rhinoplasty procedure. I will often inject a small amount of steroid into the tip of the nose if someone is out 2 to 3 months from surgery and still has extreme firmness to it, as this will soften things up and allow some of the swelling to subside faster. Gentle massage also helps with this condition as well.

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Question: I am really interested in the mini-facelift and was wondering what kinds of approaches are new on the market? Thank you.

Answer: I do not know if there are any truly new approaches to mini-facelifts, but some surgeons are using small fiber optic lasers to elevate the skin as this can help reduce any pin-point bleeding. Some surgeons are using barbed-sutures to elevate the deeper structures of the face, but ultimately in my opinion I think it is most important that you see a very experienced facial plastic surgeon that can customize the approach for each individual’s face as opposed to performing a more cookie cutter approach to these types of facelifts. I will vary my incision and technique depending on the patient’s physical anatomy so that we can maximize their result, while minimizing downtime risks and the length of any scars.

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Question: About 2 months ago I had otoplasty surgery to have my ears pinned. I am now regretting this decision and would like my ears to look like they did before. Is there anyway to reverse the surgery?

Answer: If the surgery has been overdone there are ways that it can be at least partially reversed and it is highly dependent on the technique used as to how much improvement can be made. In most of my otoplasty procedures I perform suturing techniques to recreate the folds of the ear and to set the ear back closer to the head. If this technique has been employed, then simply removing the sutures should allow the ear to return to a relatively unchanged position depending on how much time has passed since you have actually had the procedure. If 6 months or more have passed then there may need to be releasing incisions made in the cartilage in order for it to go back to your more natural position, but if less than 2 months have occurred then more than likely your ear will simply return to its natural state once the sutures are removed.

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Question: I had a facelift years ago and feel like I could use a touchup. Is this possible and what sort of procedure would I be looking at? Would it be as extensive as the first facelift?

Answer: I am not sure what type of facelift you had for your first facelift, but you can certainly undergo a touchup or a mini-lift in the office setting as an alternative to undergoing a more extensive form of facelift that would have been performed in the operating room setting. These are typically much less expensive and there is less downtime, but it does involve a procedure that was similar to your first facelift ‘in that incisions are made in and around the ear, the deeper layer of the face is elevated and secured, and excess skin is removed, sutures are placed and these are removed in 1 week.

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Question: After my eyelid surgery when can I curl my eyelashes and apply makeup safely?

Answer: I personally remove eyelid sutures 3 to 4 days after the procedure and as long as patients are careful at that point in time they can wear cover makeup, including curling their eyelashes and applying mascara. Most patients are looking quite good in less than a week and are essentially back to doing relatively normal activities.

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