When it comes to maintaining a youthful appearance, some cosmetic treatments can have the opposite effect if done improperly. None of the following procedures are inherently bad—in fact, many are highly effective when performed on the right candidate. However, when these treatments are not aligned with an individual’s unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, they can lead to outcomes that age the face rather than achieve the intended result of a more youthful appearance.
Here’s a guide to common pitfalls and what to consider instead.
1. Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal has gained popularity for its ability to create a sculpted look. For the right patient, this is a transformative procedure. However, removing too much fat can lead to a gaunt appearance for some patients, especially as they age and naturally lose facial volume. This can prematurely age your face, making you look older than you are. Instead, opt for a personalized consultation with your surgeon to determine whether buccal fat removal is right for you and to ensure a balanced approach.
What to Consider Instead
Consider injectable fillers like Sculptra in your cheekbones or chin to create the appearance of a slimmer face. Other options include a neck lift or mini lift to refine your jawline or Botox injections in your masseter muscle, which can slim the lower face by relaxing bulky jaw muscles.
2. Excessive Filler Use
While dermal fillers can restore volume and smooth wrinkles, overfilling can lead to a distorted appearance known as “pillow face.” This unnatural fullness can make you look older rather than refreshed. To avoid this, choose an experienced provider who understands facial anatomy and focuses on subtle, natural enhancements.
What to Consider Instead
Facial fat grafting can provide a more natural, long-lasting solution by using your body’s own fat. Facial implants or fat redistribution during a lower blepharoplasty can also restore volume in a way that aligns with your natural anatomy, avoiding the overfilled look.
3. Heat-Based Devices Penetrating Too Deep
Heat-based treatments like Thermage can effectively tighten and rejuvenate skin. However, if the energy penetrates too deeply, it can diminish facial fat—a key element of a youthful face. This loss of volume may result in a hollowed or aged appearance. Ensure your provider uses the appropriate settings tailored to your skin and facial structure.
What to Consider Instead
While heat-based devices can address skin laxity to a certain extent, they aren’t always the best option. Depending on your needs, fractional laser skin resurfacing might be more appropriate for improving skin texture and reducing fine lines. For more significant laxity, a surgical procedure like a facelift is the gold standard for the most effective and lasting results.
4. Too Much Botox, Too Soon
Botox is excellent for smoothing wrinkles, but overuse or starting too early can weaken facial muscles over time. This can lead to an unnatural, frozen look or even exacerbate sagging as muscles atrophy. The key is moderation. Use Botox to enhance your natural expressions rather than eliminate them entirely.
What to Consider Instead
Consider prescription-strength skincare such as retinoids, which increase cellular turnover and thicken the dermal layer. This makes the skin appear plump and healthy while reducing fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing pores, and evening out texture and tone. Skincare provides a natural way to enhance your appearance without compromising your facial expressions.
Discover Your Personalized Anti-Aging Treatment Plan
Ultimately, the key to successful cosmetic procedures is understanding what works best for your unique features. Choosing treatments that align with your candidacy and working with an experienced plastic surgeon ensures you achieve outcomes that enhance your natural beauty rather than detract from it. With informed decisions and a tailored approach, you can achieve a refreshed, youthful appearance that feels authentically you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and receive a customized treatment plan designed to achieve your cosmetic goals.
¹ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Exploring facial overfilled syndrome from the perspective of anatomy and the mismatched delivery of fillers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38369859/. Accessed December 27, 2024.
² Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. A prospective study analyzing the application of radiofrequency energy and high-voltage, ultrashort pulse duration electrical fields on the quantitative reduction of adipose tissue. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4950457/. Accessed December 27, 2024.