Half of my Face is Sagging, but Fully Functional. Is Cosmetic Surgery the Answer to Fix This? (photo)

Question

I've recently been in a lot of photos ¬iced half of my face is much different then the other. I don't know if this is something new or if it's always been this way. One side has a lower cheek, eye, eyebrow, lip and the nostril is larger as well. I've done some reading & I don't have any numbness or muscle problems. Is this from a deficiency in my diet or from smoking over the last few years? Can I fix it naturally or is it something that can be fixed with surgery? What are my options?

Jennifer Lauren Crawford, MD · Answer

To start off, you are a very attractive lady...just to be reassuring. There have been many face lift surgeons who have analyzed pictures of patients over the years, and they found that some degree of asymmetry exists in everyone's face. Look closely at others and you will start to see it. Many folks have one eyebrow that is higher or a cheek that is more full. Many never realize it. There is a syndrome that always results in very severe facial soft tissue asymmetry. You do not have this. And, your face has many cosmetically pleasing features. Your options are to 1) Do nothing 2) See someone for sculptra or fat grafting to enhance volume in more deficit areas 3) Look into non-invasive skin tightening treatments such as the endymed or Venus. Personally, I really don't see that you are a face lift candidate at this point. You do not have that degree of skin laxity. Once again, you are lovely looking and I hope that your minor degree of asymmetry is not distressing you.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"I suggest reaching out to an expert for a formal consultation. I like to recommend my patients start a combination of facial rejuvenation treatments.

1) Skincare with products and microneedling/PRP
2) PDT Light Therapy a few times per month with growth factors
3) Laser treatments like Clear + Brilliant regularly and others (Fraxel, Moxi, Viva, CO2, Erbium, Halo) a few times per year
4) Sculptra injections a few times per year for collagen production with fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Radiesse, and/or Bellafill
5) Thermage/Ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone-based Instalift threads for lifting
6) Botox every 2 to 3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest

Best, Dr. Emer."

George J. Beraka, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi.

	You have an attractive face with a little asymmetry, which can actually add interest.  You don't need surgery.  Perhaps a little Juvederm filler strategically placed (cheek, nasolabial fold, in front of jowl) in the "sagging" side will help.

Half of my Face is Sagging, but Fully Functional. Is Cosmetic Surgery the Answer to Fix This? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Mild facial asymmetry is normal and can look good.

Answer: Mild facial asymmetry is normal and can look good.

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Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Half of my Face is Sagging, but Fully Functional. Is Cosmetic Surgery the Answer to Fix This? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Mild facial asymmetry is normal and can look good.

Answer: Mild facial asymmetry is normal and can look good.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.