Accidents and injuries can happen at every stage of your life. Some are minor, like a scrape or a bruise, while others are far more serious. Some injuries can be severe enough to impact your daily life. You may have difficulty getting around or performing daily tasks. When you experience a major injury to your face, you may even have a reminder of that trauma every time you look in a mirror.
Facial trauma can cause things like disfiguring scars, impaired nasal function, or an imbalance between your features. These kinds of issues can be difficult or painful to deal with after you’ve already gone through the trauma. Cosmetic surgery from Dr. Andres Bustillo can help address these issues and restore your face after it has been injured.
Removing or Diminishing Facial Scars
When your skin is cut or torn, your body responds by forming connective tissue. This tissue knits your skin back together to heal your injury and protect your body against infection. Scar tissue is inherently tough because it has to be stronger than the surrounding tissue.
The way that scars form can be unpredictable sometimes, even when those injuries are treated and cared for by expert doctors. Their appearance can be less noticeable or they can be glaringly obvious. The tissue can also change over time by puckering or pulling in unusual ways. Some scars even become overly thick and bumpy
While scars will fade in time, they may remain unsightly, especially when located on the face. Fortunately, scars can be cosmetically altered to make them less noticeable. There are several scar revision methods that can accomplish this. The undamaged soft tissue around the scar can be tightened or pulled to help smooth out the scar tissue. The scar tissue can also be completely removed, allowing the skin to heal and form a new scar that is smoother and less noticeable. If there is enough undamaged soft tissue around the scar, skin flaps or grafts can be used to cover the scar excision so the damage is better concealed.
Every scar is different and each one requires special consideration. Not all scars can be completely removed or completely concealed, but most scars can be improved through these techniques.
Improving Nasal Function
Your nose is made up of cartilage and bone. When the nose breaks and is improperly set, the cartilage and bone don’t always heal correctly. This can cause both cosmetic and functional problems with your nose. The nose may look mangled, crooked or dented, causing it to appear disfigured. You might also develop breathing problems, including snoring.
Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that can repair your nose and make it look more aesthetically pleasing. This surgery involves changing the size, shape, and position of the cartilage and bone inside your nose. Think of it like building a house – you have to get the framework for the house right before you can start putting in the walls and fixtures. When the framework in your nose is positioned and sized correctly, your nose will function properly and look normal.
If your nasal cartilage isn’t severely damaged, most rhinoplasty surgeons will try to repair your nose using what’s available. They can also borrow cartilage from your ear or rib to make a cartilage graft. If your nose has very weak cartilage or a collapsed nasal structure, it can be rebuilt using grafts or implants. The exact approach to your rhinoplasty is determined based on what your nose needs and the condition of your nasal structures.
Restoring Facial Balance
Facial trauma doesn’t always result in major scars or broken noses; sometimes it upsets the overall balance of your face. Balance and proportion are important for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. When trauma upsets that balance, it may affect your overall appearance.
Bone fractures are another common facial injury due to trauma. Your cheek bones, chin, and jaw contour your face and project out in the same way your nose does. When these bones are fractured or broken, the contouring and definition of your face may be affected even after the bones heal.
There are procedures available to help restore your facial balance. Fat transfer injections involve harvesting fat deposits from your body and then carefully injecting the deposits into your face. When these deposits are placed in places like your cheek and jaw line, they add volume. The extra volume can help even out or smooth your facial contours. The same effect can be accomplished with certain dermal filler injections.
Another option is facial implants. If your chin is especially flat or receding after trauma and fat transfers won’t be sufficient, a chin implant may help. The implant is placed through a small incision just under your chin or inside your lower lip so the incision will be easily concealed.
Begin Your Journey with a Consultation
If you have experienced facial trauma that has impacted your daily life or made you unhappy with your appearance, contact Dr. Bustillo in Miami, FL, for a patient consultation. Dr. Bustillo is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in these procedures and more. Dr. Bustillo is also a member of the Face to Face organization, which provides free reconstructive surgery to domestic violence victims.
To schedule your patient consultation, call (305) 663-3380 or send Dr. Bustillo an email through the Contact page.
