Face Procedures

Recent Advances in Facial Aesthetic Surgery

Los Angeles board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Hoefflin performs facelift surgery using the most advanced techniques, while placing the highest priority on patient safety and comfort. Dr. Hoefflin has lectured and interviewed on safety in outpatient plastic surgery operations.

Dr. Hoefflin’s patients benefit from his vast extensive knowledge and teaching of preventing potential complications in during facelift surgery. In fact, he has been invited to speak at international society meetings and medical institutions about facial rejuvenation techniques and safety in facelift procedures. He is frequently sought out for his opinion and expertise in the latest advances and concepts in cosmetic facial surgery and facial rejuvenation.

There has been tremendous improvement and evolution in the facelift technique. Advances in modern surgical techniques allow Dr. Hoefflin to create natural, youthful, and long-lasting facelift results with minimal downtime and discomfort. Highly skilled surgical techniques are involved in the treatment of excessive loose skin as well as improving the supportive tissues or "foundation" of facial beauty. Dr. Hoefflin believes that the face should be treated as a whole, often requiring a combination of procedures to obtain true facial harmony. Among the cosmetic facial procedures performed by Dr. Hoefflin are the facelift, mid-face or cheeklift, endoscopic browlift, eyelid or blepharoplasty, primary and revisional rhinoplasty, facial liposuction and fat grafting, buccal fat pad excision, and necklift. Adjunct procedures include facial liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, and lip augmentation.

To learn if you are a candidate for a facelift or other cosmetic surgical procedures, please call our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Hoefflin.

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Facelift or Rhytidectomy

Los Angeles and Santa Monica board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin specializes in all aspects of facial rejuvenation, including facelifts (also known as rhytidectomy). Facelifts are one of the most commonly requested procedures he performs on patients. Patients travel from all over to his practice, desiring natural and youthful results. Known for his artistry, Dr. Hoefflin believes that true facial beauty can be achieved through surgery by bringing out the unique features of each individual patient.

Hereditary factors, personal lifestyle choices, and sun exposure all contribute to the aging process and changes in our facial appearance. As we age, important structural facial fat is lost or descends in our midface. This, together with the loss of elastic support in our skin can create excessive wrinkling and sagging skin. The result is a tired or drawn out facial appearance. Combined with the very fine lines from excessive sun exposure, the aging process becomes revealed. A facelift can correct these conditions and provide a more natural, youthful, and rejuvenated appearance.

Dr. Hoefflin performs facelift surgery in his state-of-the-art and fully credentialed Los Angeles plastic surgery facility. During the procedure, you are completely asleep under the care of a board certified anesthesiologist. The procedure involves tightening of the facial and neck skin and muscles, as well as the removal of excess skin. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places, such as behind the hairline and in natural folds of the face and ears, with scars fading to near invisibility in time. The neck area can be dramatically improved and is often one of the highlights of a successful facelift. These procedures can be performed in combination with face and neck liposuction and fat injections to restore lost volume and enhance your facial appearance.

The "right" time to consider a Los Angeles Facelift is when the aging process becomes noticeable and bothersome to you. The average age of patients presenting for facelifts is typically in their forties and fifties. However, due to individual variability, Dr. Hoefflin consults with patients of all ages. Facelift surgery does not "stop the clock" but it does turn back the hands. The aging process continues, but you will always look several years younger than you would have without the surgery. While a facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may also enhance your self- confidence.

Although facelifts can be performed very quickly and shortcuts are available, Dr. Hoefflin believes that the best facelifts are those that are performed slowly and with great care. Dr. Hoefflin believes every patient out to be treated as an example of facial beauty for the next patient.

To learn more about Dr. Hoefflin’s ten step skin care program, click here

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Mid-Face - Cheek lift

The Mid Face Lift or Cheek Lift is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce excessive wrinkling or sagging facial skin, and restores natural volume to the cheek region. A deficient cheek structure can make one’s face appear drawn and gaunt. By restoring the natural convexity using one’s own tissues to the midface region, the result is a natural, youthful, and rejuvenated appearance, without any signs of facial scars.

Dr. Hoefflin performs the advanced endoscopic (camera-assisted) technique by placing small inconspicuous incisions within the scalp and the mouth that become invisible when completely healed. The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient under local anesthesia with deep sedation, and may take from 1 to 2 hours. In the properly selected patient, the result is a natural, youthful and rejuvenated midface without any signs of surgery. By rejuvenating the face from the cheek area down to the jowl and neck, this technique offers a rapid recovery, with patients often returning to routine activities within one to two weeks.

To learn if you are a candidate for a facelift or other cosmetic surgical procedures, please call our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Hoefflin.

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Endoscopic Browlift

Dr. Hoefflin uses the latest in surgery techniques in performing his forehead or Los Angeles and Santa Monica forehead and brow-lifting procedures. Brow-lifting procedures can elevate and reposition brows that have become tired and droopy, and can improve the wrinkles between the eyes and the forehead. Using the revolutionary advances of endoscopy, several small incisions are placed in inconspicuous locations behind the hairline, thus avoiding any visible facial incisions. During the procedure, the forehead muscles above the eyes are elevated to smooth out excessive forehead lines, raise the eyebrows to a more pleasing level, thus creating a more youthful and balanced appearance. Often, a forehead or browlift may be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as facelift, eyelid or blepharoplasty, and necklift.

Here is Southern California – the entertainment capital of the world – many of Dr. Hoefflin’s patients desire procedures that can provide consistently youthful and attractive results, and be performed with minimal discomfort and downtime. Most patients are exceedingly pleased about the innovations and results associated with this procedure.

To learn if you are a candidate for a browlift or other cosmetic surgical procedures, please call our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Hoefflin.

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Short-scar Temporal Lift

In addition to performing the traditional or open brow lift, closed brow lift, coronal brow lift, endoscopic and endoscopic-assisted brow lift, Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin performs an advanced facial surgical technique called the short-scar temporal lift. During the procedure, the brow and skin in the forehead and above the eyes are elevated, thus creating a more youthful and balanced appearance.

During the lateral temporal lift, small inconsipicuous incisions are placed in the hairline to elevate and create a more youthful brow position. These procedures can be performed with very minimal discomfort and downtime.

During your consultation with Dr. Hoefflin, the various techniques and options available for forehead rejuvenation will be discussed at length after an individual analysis has been performed.

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Eyelid or Blepharoplasty

Youthful appearing eyes greatly contribute to our sense of beauty. They are one of our most expressive facial features. Unfortunately, the eyes are also one of the first areas to demonstrate signs of aging. Excess upper eyelid skin, droopy upper eyelids, bulging bags under the eyes, and excessive wrinkling can give us the appearance of being tired. Fine wrinkles around the sides of the eyes can develop and present early in our twenties and thirties. In some individuals, excessive upper eyelid skin can obstruct your visual field. In such cases, the procedure becomes a medical necessity and may be reimbursable by your health insurance. An important goal of plastic surgery is to draw attention to our eyes. Eyelid rejuvenation procedures can eliminate the fatigued appearance of aging eyes, and restore your self-confidence. Read more about Dr. Hoefflin’s article on "Beautiful Eyes."

Dr. Hoefflin uses the latest eyelid surgery techniques to ensure natural, non-operated eyelid rejuvenation results. Using a special technique for eyelid surgery called transconjunctival blepharoplasty (TCB), whereby surgical incisions are made inside the lower eyelids, thus avoiding any external incisions or the use of sutures. Unlike traditional eyelid techniques, TCB does not injure the muscles under the eyelids. He also performs other complex and advanced eyelid procedures for droopy upper lids (ptosis repair), poor lower eyelid support (ectropion or eyelid retraction), and revision of scarring from previous eyelid procedures. Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can also be combined with a forehead or browlift for further aesthetic enhancement.

During your consultation with Dr. Hoefflin, the various techniques and options available for forehead rejuvenation will be discussed at length after an individual analysis has been performed.

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Cheek and Chin Augmentation (Facial Implants)

One of the most dramatic improvements in facial appearance can be achieved through the use of facial implants. Dr. Hoefflin performs cheek, mandible, and chin augmentation procedures for patients who wish to further enhance their facial balance and harmony. Although frequently performed as an isolated procedure, facial augmentation can be performed in combination with other procedures such as facelift, necklift, rhinoplasty, and facial liposuction to further improve overall facial aesthetics. Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are usually performed through small incisions. Cheek, chin, and mandibular facial implants can provide a long lasting refinement to your mid and lower facial regions.

During your consultation, an individual facial analysis, along with digital photography, will allow Dr. Hoefflin to provide you with his professional expertise and recommendations for the type and placement of facial implants. Patient satisfaction after facial augmentation is usually very high, with long-lasting results. Patients can expect minimal postoperative bruising and quick recovery times.

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Buccal Fat Pad Removal

Dr. Hoefflin performs a natural-looking cheek reduction procedure known as buccal fat pad removal, or buccal fat pad excision. Using small incisions inside the mouth, excessive cheek fat can be removed to create a more sculpted and youthful appearance to the cheeks. Buccal fat removal is often performed during and in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a facelift, necklift, or facial implant placement. In addition, the removed fat may be liquefied to correct and fill out any facial depressions or contour irregularities.

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Necklift

An unattractive neck often demonstrates loose skin, separation and widening of the muscles. In the aging neck, broad vertical bands can appear from the chin and mandible to the base of the neck. Fat accumulation in the neck is often hereditary and much less affected by weight loss or dieting. Liposuction alone can yield significant improvements in both fat reduction and skin retraction. However, older individuals with excess skin and platysmal muscles may require a full necklift.

Dr. Hoefflin’s approach to creating a beautiful neckline may be performed as an isolated procedure, but is frequently performed in combination with a facelift. Using advanced facial techniques to rejuvenate the neck and jawline, he emphasis natural and smooth results, while avoiding the "pulled" or surgical appearance.

During your consultation with Dr. Hoefflin, and individual assessment of your concerns and aesthetic goals will be discussed at length. Computer imaging can be used to demonstrate likely effect of some proposed surgical improvements.

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Otoplasty or Ear Pinning

Otoplasty, also know as ear reshaping or ear pinning, is a surgical procedure in which the large or prominent ears are sculpted and brought in closer to the head for improved aesthetics. Both children and adults with prominent ears, whether through the result of hereditary or developmental abnormalities, can suffer from self-esteem issues.

Using a minor surgical procedure, Dr. Hoefflin performs otoplasty to set the ears back to a natural position. Dr. Hoefflin combines several well-established techniques to provide natural and long-lasting ear correction results. Incision lines are hidden behind the ears and are essentially invisible. There is very little discomfort and children can resume a fairly normal schedule within a week.  There is no risk to the patient’s hearing from otoplasty. Adults undergoing this procedure can usually return to work in a couple of days.  In most cases, otoplasty is deemed an elective procedure, and your insurance may not cover the cost. However, if the surgery is performed to correct a disfiguring birth defect, your insurance company may cover the cost.

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Primary Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

Rhinoplasty, or corrective nose surgery, is one of the most technically demanding plastic surgery procedures. It requires an artistic eye, as well as an in-depth knowledge of nasal anatomy. Under Dr. Hoefflin’s expert care, rhinoplasty surgery sculpts and recontours the nose to achieve a more balanced and natural appearance. His approach avoids the pinched-in, turned-up, or scooped-out appearance of other techniques.

Generally, the entire operation is done through incisions inside the nose and there is no external scarring. Simultaneously, your nasal septum may need to be addressed to improve breathing. Meticulous surgical technique, in combination with intraoperative facial nerve blocks can help to minimize any post-operative bruising or swelling. There is often no packing placed in the nose after the surgery, which allows for a much quicker and less painful recovery. Following surgery, patients are surprised at how little pain and discomfort they experience. Most patients can go back to work in less than 5 days.

Dr. Hoefflin’s nose reshaping or rhinoplasty expertise include primary (initial), corrective and complex secondary (revisional) rhinoplasties, open and closed techniques, septal (nose) or auricular (ear) cartilage, dorsal grafts, nasal tip grafts, preventing post-operative airway problems, ethnic and individual unique characteristics, septoplasties, turbinate reduction, and the performance of rhinoplasty in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures, i.e. facelifts, eyes.

During your consultation with Dr. Hoefflin, individual aesthetic goals and concerns will be addressed. His belief is that each nose reshaping operation should be customized to an individual’s needs and unique characteristics. Dr. Hoefflin emphasizes preservation of an individual’s unique ethnic facial and nose features. Read more about Dr. Hoefflin’s article "Ethnic and Revision rhinoplasty." At the end of the consultation, instructional pamphlets will be provided that address your pre-operative and post-operative questions.

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Secondary or Revision Rhinoplasty

As an expert nasal surgeon, Dr. Hoefflin is frequently consulted for patients requesting secondary or revision rhinoplasty. He utilizes advanced surgical techniques to restore and improve any contour irregularities from the patient’s previous surgery. Septal (nose) or auricular (ear) cartilage grafts can be used to fill, support, and better define deficient areas of the nose. In addition, these can be used as spreader grafts to improve difficult breathing in patients who present with compromised nasal airways. For more complex or collapsed noses, Dr. Hoefflin may use small sections of rib cartilage to rebuild and support your existing nasal framework.

To lean more about secondary or revision rhinoplasty, read Dr. Hoefflin’s article.

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Facial Liposuction & Facial Fat Grafting

Dr. Hoefflin performs an elegant and natural-looking facial liposuction procedure in selected candidates. As we age, we tend to lose or redistribute facial fat in dependent areas within the face, such as the midface, jowls, and nasolabial folds. Through a combination of both facial liposuction and fat grafting, the facial can be sculpted and recontoured in creating a more natural and youthful appearance.

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Lip Augmentation or Enhancement

As we age, we lose volume in our lips and can develop wrinkles around both the lips and corners of the mouth. Lip augmentation or enhancement can be done through a variety of techniques and products to greatly improve both the youthfulness and beauty of your lips. Dr. Hoefflin is considered an expert in facial rejuvenation, and because of his in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy as a plastic surgeon, he has written articles of "creating beautiful lips."

Dr. Hoefflin offers a extensive array of injectable augmentation products, i.e. Restylane®, Juvaderm™, Perlane®, and Evolence. Dr. Hoefflin is a national consultant and has traveled extensively to teach other plastic surgeon about the newest techniques and products in lip enhancement or augmentation. To read more about Dr. Hoefflin’s article on the newest lip augmentation products, click here. Dr. Hoefflin performs all his own injectables, rather than have his staff provide these services.

To read Dr. Hoefflin’s article "Creating Beautiful Lips," click here

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Laser Skin Resurfacing

As we age, our facial skin experiences a profound decline in its quality and texture. Excessive sun exposure, personal lifestyle choices, and hereditary factors all contribute to the appearance of our face. This may result in a more wrinkled, and sun-spotted appearance. While a facelift can improve the deeper lines and provide greater structural support of the, the fine lines often remain. The ability to rejuvenate sun-damaged and wrinkled skin has been revolutionized by the technology of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) lasers. Performed as an outpatient procedure, the computerized laser skin resurfacing removes both the first several layers of skin and causes the remaining deeper dermis to contract. The result is often dramatic, producing a smooth, tighter, and more youthful appearance to your skin.

To read Dr. Hoefflin’s article “The Laser Facelift,” click here

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