Otoplasty
Aesthetic plastic surgery can improve the shape or positioning of your ears if they are large in proportion to your other features or protrude more than normal. Surgery is possible at any age, but is often recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. When the ears are corrected prior to the child entering school, the surgery helps eliminate potential psychological trauma.

The ears are positioned closer to the head by reshaping the cartilage (supporting tissue). This is usually accomplished through incisions placed behind the ears so that subsequent scars will be concealed in a natural skin crease.

After surgery, a gauze dressing or bandage may be worn for a few days or several weeks to ensure that the ears heal in their new, corrected position. Strenuous activities and contact sports should be avoided for several weeks.

Fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and the eyes and on the forehead and cheek areas may be improved with a wide range of treatments. For enhancing the overall texture and appearance of the skin, there are gels, creams and lotions, including Retin-A and products containing alphahydroxy acids, which may be prescribed for at home use.

Chemical peels of varying types and strengths can be applied in your surgeon's office or operating facility. An acid solution is applied to the entire face or to specific areas to peel away the skin's top layers.

Dermabrasion- a procedure in which a high-speed rotary wheel, similar to fine-grained sandpaper, is used to abrade the skin- sometimes is recommended for extensive sun damage, wrinkling or pockmarks. Skin resurfacing using a variety of lasers is another popular technique to reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture and achieve some degree of skin tightening.

A few days following a deep peel, dermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing, a new skin emerges. Its bright pink color will fade over several months and may be covered with makeup. Permanent pigment changes, usually lighter in color, may occur with some treatments. Avoid strenuous activities and exposure to sunlight for the first few weeks, and always use a sun block when going outdoors.

Your surgeon may recommend injectable filler such as collagen or fat to diminish facial lines and wrinkles. To improve deeper creases or enhance lip fullness, there are also filler materials that can be surgically implanted. Injections of botulinum toxin may be used for temporary reduction of lines and wrinkles caused by facial muscle contraction.

Laser hair removal has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure. It is a non-invasive, convenient way to permanently reduce unwanted facial or body hair.

Technique:
The process takes from several minutes to several hours, depending on the area of the body involved. Laser hair removal uses a low-energy laser. The laser energy passes through the patient's skin, being absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. A percentage of the follicles are instantaneously and permanently disabled with each treatment. In most cases, no anesthesia is necessary.

Benefits:

• A non-invasive, gentle technique that eliminates undesirable hair from all parts of the body.
• Leaves skin looking smoother and silkier.
• Treats larger areas effectively because it removes more than one hair at a time.
• Minimal discomfort.
• Replaces waxing, electrolysis and razors.
• Immediate return to normal activities.

Other Considerations:

• An ongoing process that requires multiple sessions.
• Sometimes there is a temporary slight reddening of the skin or localized swelling.
• May have to use specially formulated skin care products, and/or a prescribed skin care regimen. Sunscreen is recommended for any treated areas exposed to the sun.
• Patients with darker pigmentation may not respond well.
• Blonde, white or gray hairs are less responsive to laser treatments and sometimes cannot be treated