Facial symmetry describes when a person’s facial features look the same on both sides, with equally shaped and sized ears, eyebrows, eyes, and cheeks, as well as an evenly contoured nose, mouth, and jawline. Nobody’s face is perfectly symmetrical, but imbalances aren’t always noticeable.
When they are, they can be particularly damaging to a person’s self-image. Luckily, multiple types of plastic surgery procedures can be used to correct these irregularities.
Assessing Your Concerns With Dr. Tran
The first step in addressing significant facial asymmetry is to see a doctor. If you’ve noticed sudden drooping, numbness, or paralysis on one side of your face, it could indicate a serious underlying condition; please seek immediate medical attention.
But for aesthetic concerns like a crooked nose, one ear or eyebrow being higher than the other, uneven wrinkling, or acne scars, facial symmetry surgery can be a great option. Dr. Anthony Tran is a board-certified plastic surgeon and highly trained expert in multiple cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures.
During your consultation, he will carefully examine the proportions of your facial features. After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Tran will map out a customized treatment plan that strategically aligns your features for the best possible aesthetic balance.
What Causes Facial Asymmetry?
Some patients are simply born with facial asymmetry, such as in the case of a cleft lip. Uneven lips or brows may even run in your family. If your imbalanced features have developed gradually over time, they might have been caused by smoking, dental work, or the aging process.
If you drive for a living, the skin on the left side of your face may be disproportionately sun damaged. Similarly, lifestyle habits like always sleeping on one side or poor posture could also play a role.
Plastic Surgery Techniques to Improve Facial Symmetry
For more surface-level contouring issues, a non-surgical protocol like dermal fillers, Botox®, or dermaplaning might be the right option. For instance, these methods can be ideal for acne scars or providing a subtle cheek lift.
But cosmetic plastic surgery is frequently the best answer for powerful facial symmetry results. Dr. Tran may recommend one or more of the following techniques:
- Facelift – The goal during a facelift is to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of sagging skin in the midface and lower face, such as jawline jowling. Dr. Tran will ensure this lift happens smoothly and evenly on both sides.
- Ear surgery – Dr. Tran can perform cosmetic ear surgery to reshape, resize, or “pin back” one ear to more closely resemble the other.
- Browlift – A browlift is used to reduce forehead wrinkles and raise drooping eyebrows. Occasionally, one eyebrow has settled in a lower position than the other, which can also be addressed.
- Eyelid lift – The eyelid lift procedure involves correcting droopy upper eyelids or baggy lower eyelids by removing excess skin and/or fat. Depending on your symptoms, this technique could involve just one set of eyelids or just one eyelid.
- Nose surgery – A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is used to fix several nasal structural concerns that affect symmetry, such as an angled bridge or tip.
- Cleft lip repair – Correct a cleft lip for a smooth, symmetrical look of the mouth.
Learn More from Dr. Tran
To determine which type(s) of facial symmetry surgery you may be a candidate for, it’s critical to speak with an experienced plastic surgeon. Contact Arlington Plastic Surgery in Arlington, Texas, today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Anthony Tran.
