According to expert Board-Certified Plastic surgeons, the goal of cosmetic surgery is to make a woman look like a refreshed, enhanced version of herself. While many seek cosmetic surgery to turn back the clock; (a respectable, personal choice) there is a downside. The eerie expressionless, puffy, distorted, look makes people appear even older than they are. To help us understand and achieve a more maintained, elegant look, we tapped the expertise of Board-Certified Chicago Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Horn.
Most Common Culprit… Too Much Filler
According to Dr. Horn, the best way to begin is to look at photos of a person decades younger to assess their aging progression and facial symmetry. “You want to look at the facial features to see where there is drooping or volume loss so as not to run the risk of overfilling the face. When too much filler is used, facial balance is thrown off.”
Dr. Horn explains that today we’re seeing young women in their 20’s trying to look like they’re photo filtered in real life. “They start Botox too young or overfill their lips, breasts, and derrieres. The odd consequence is that they end up looking older. There are several celebrities who are under 25 and look 30, and 40 due to the work they’ve done. The lips and cheeks are often the first facial features to be overdone in younger patients.”
Facial Breakdown
Cheeks: Dr. Horn says, “Over-suctioning cheeks through liposuction can make you look older. Stiffness or “puffy cheeks” can also occur if there is an unnecessary fat transfer or filler injections are overdone.”
Brows: A highly arched eyebrow or a brow without any arch can instantly age you. “Getting the eyebrow height perfect to achieve a natural look is one of the most challenging techniques plastic surgeons face with Botox, be sure to find someone who specializes in brow area Botox.”
Chin: “The overall balance of your face can be thrown off if a chin implant is too large,” says Dr. Horn. He adds, “Facial structure goes from more of a heart shape to a square shape. Also, the softness of your face gets lost.”
Neck: Removing too much fat from the neck can result in an excessive deep and sharp angle that gives more of a harsh look.
Midface: Some women get a facelift before it’s needed. Think of many of the stars of Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise. “When it’s unnecessary or not done properly, the underlying facial tissues give an unnatural fullness in the cheeks that makes the face look aged, explains Dr. Horn.”
Eyes: Fat removal under the eyes is popular in younger patients. The problem is that removing too much fat can really make a patient look hollower rather than refreshed.
Injectable Toxins: The Frozen Look
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all effective in reducing lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to stop movement. Problems arise when they are overdone. The face can look very severe and certain facial features can become exaggerated. It is strange to see a woman over 50 with fewer forehead and brow mobility than a pre-teen!
Dr. Horn offers a tip and reminds us that injectable toxins are not permanent, and the result will fade away in time. “It’s best to let the product completely wear off before getting injectable toxins applied to the face again. It’s always best to start off with much less because you can always work your way up to more,” he advises.
Too Large Breast Implants:
Implants that do not fit a woman’s frame and are overexaggerated, are never a good idea at any age. The older a woman gets, the more this is going to scream, “look at me” and be incongruous with the rest of her appearance. Jane Fonda is a perfect example of a woman in her 80s with implants that match her body in a flattering way.
Ignoring Your Hands and Décolleté:
So many women make the mistake of obsessing over their face, legs, derriere, breasts, and abdomen that they completely forget their hands and décolleté. The latter is a dead giveaway of age, no matter how young the rest of you looks.
Examples of Elegance:
According to Dr. Horn, here’s who he feels have “gotten it right” when it comes to aging gracefully whether they have had plastic surgery or not include, including Jane Fonda, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Raquel Welch, Kathie Lee Gifford, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jayne Seymour, Sharon Stone, and Padma Lakshmi. Use these celebs for inspiration when contemplating cosmetic enhancements.
Dr. Michael Horn
Board-Certified Chicago, Illinois Plastic Surgeon
www.lakeshoreplasticsurgery.com
With more than 10,000 breast augmentation surgeries performed during his career of more than 23 years, Dr. Horn is known in the Chicago land area as the authority on breast augmentation. His artistic eye, mastery and surgical skill in performing various face and body procedures, his dedication to patients’ safety, combined with his focus on unparalleled care and attention, make him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the Midwest.
Dr. Horn earned his medical degree at Loyola University in Chicago. He completed a general surgery residency with the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as a sub-specialty training in plastic surgery with a second residency at Loyola University. Dr. Michael Horn is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Chicago Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Horn is a frequent lecturer on the subject of plastic surgery and his work has been featured in several professional publications. He frequently attends national meetings to continue developing innovative plastic surgery techniques. His ongoing commitment to patient safety and satisfaction is evident in the personal attention and care he provides to each of his plastic surgery clients. From the initial consultation to the final follow-up exam, Dr. Horn provides compassionate treatment tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual.
