Long-term, Cost-Effective way to add Volume to the Mid-Face and Cheeks while Lifting and Smoothing the Lower Face

Most of us were not lucky enough to be born with “perfect” looks—just the right sized features laid out in perfect balance and symmetry to create what society calls “beautiful”. But even those who were will, with time, lose at least some of that ideal facial proportion due to the natural loss of facial fat.

One of the strongest characteristics of youth is fullness of the cheeks, indicating an abundance of healthy mid-facial soft tissues and subcutaneous fat present beneath the skin. As we age, that soft tissue tends to diminish causing a flattening and hollowing in the cheek area. Particularly if there is inadequate supporting bone structure, the result is sagging of the skin, the development of folds and wrinkles and an older, tired looking appearance.

Older facial-rejuvenation methods consisted primarily of removing—subtracting—skin and fat and pulling tissues tight. In many instances, this leads to a skeletonized and more aged, “operated-on” appearance.

Restoring Youhful Facial Fullness with the BINDER SUBMALAR® FACIAL IMPLANT

Developed by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. William Binder, Submalar Augmentation is an additive procedure aimed at recontouring of the mid-face to restore the appearance of fullness we had when we were younger. Unlike the injectible fillers that are used to temporarily restore facial fullness and fill wrinkles, the BINDER SUBMALAR® FACIAL IMPLANT provides permanent, symmetrical mid-facial filling, lifting and smoothing that will not migrate, resorb or diminish over time.

How Submalar Augmentation Works

Submalar Augmentation actually works in two ways. First it works through the placement of a specially designed implant to fill the submalar or “below the cheekbone” area. This helps to enhance and smooth the cheekbone area, but it also improves mid-facial hollows and depressions as well as other areas of the lower face.

With submalar augmentation, the implant lifts the skin upward and outward. We are not changing bone structure, but merely using the implant to provide a scaffolding to hold up collapsed mid-facial soft tissues. By repositioning and lifting the sagging skin, folds and wrinkles are softened, jowls are lifted and reduced. The result is not only a fuller-looking face, but a lifted, less droopy, tighter and smoother overall facial appearance.

Who Should Consider Submalar Augmentation?

The Pre-Facelift group - For some in their mid-30s, early disappearance of a youthful appearance is often due to premature loss of facial fat, causing a flattened or hollowed appearance to occur over the mid-face. This contributes to an individual looking tired, haggard, or older than is appropriate for one’s age. The relatively brief submalar augmentation facial contouring procedure can be the ideal remedy to restore a youthful vitality back to the face.

In Conjunction with Facelift Surgery - For those in their mid-40s or beyond, submalar augmentation is a way to lift and restore youthful contours and postpone a more invasive facelift procedure. And for those who are ready for a facelift, the submalar implant is able to provide the necessary foundation to achieve a more aesthetically ideal, natural looking result. It can mean the difference between looking like you’ve had a facelift or just looking younger again.

Click here for more information on combining implants with facelifts.

The Submalar Augmentation Procedure:

The Submalar Augmentation procedure is performed on an out-patient basis in as little as 45 minutes and often under local and “twilight sleep” anesthesia (general anesthesia may be given if performed in combination with other procedures.) Most mid-facial implant procedures are performed through the mouth. The incision is made high above the gum line and a pocket is created over the bone. Since implants come in numerous shapes and sizes, the choice depends on your particular case and desired effect to create the most ideal shape and natural-looking result. Different portions of the implant can be carved to further customize the implant to each individual’s structure. The appropriately-sized implants are then positioned within the pocket and stabilized to prevent them moving out of place. Supportive tissue forms around the implant after a few weeks, and once healed, it feels like your normal underlying bone structure.

Post-Operative

After cheek or submalar implant surgery, some swelling but rarely any bruising can be expected. Few patients require any pain medication afterward, although a diet of soft foods is recommended. Minor swelling lasts only two or three weeks, and is generally much less than the aftermath of having a wisdom tooth pulled. Although the main swelling is gone within two weeks, the fine definition and final form of new facial contours gradually emerge after 4-6 weeks.

The Results

Dr. Binder develops a specific approach and customizes the implant to meet each individual patients needs. In general, the results include fullness and volume is added to the mid-face and cheek area, cheekbones appear higher and facial skin is lifted and tightened causing wrinkles, creases, jowls and sagging skin of the lower face to diminish as you would see in a facelift. The results are uniform and permanent, yet totally reversible.

About Dr. Binder

Dr. William J. Binder helped pioneer the modern concept of “Facial Contouring” with new tools and techniques including a new generation of facial implants created using 3-D computer imaging. Among the most significant of his innovations is the patented BINDER SUBMALAR® FACIAL IMPLANT for restoring youthful contours and volume to the face. He is double-board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

Click here for more on Dr. Binder or go to www.doctorbinder.com