Beyond the Nose: How Rhinoplasty Can Rebalance Your Facial Harmony
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is often perceived as a procedure aimed solely at changing the nose’s appearance. However, its impact goes far beyond the nasal structure, touching upon the broader aspect of facial harmony. Here, Toronto plastic surgeon Lawrence Tong, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.C. delves into the transformative power of rhinoplasty, revealing how it can enhance overall facial balance, symmetry, and proportion, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance. An Introduction to Facial Harmony Facial harmony is the concept that our features should complement and balance each other, creating a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing look. The nose, being the central feature of the face, plays a crucial role in this balance. A rhinoplasty, or nose job, can adjust its size, shape, and proportion, not only improving the nose itself but also how it interacts with other facial features. The Art of Proportion One of the fundamental aspects of rhinoplasty is understanding and manipulating proportions. A nose that is too large, small, wide, or narrow can throw off facial balance. By adjusting these dimensions, rhinoplasty can bring a more pleasing proportion to the face, ensuring that the nose fits harmoniously with the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Symmetry and the Illusion of Perfection Symmetry is closely tied to our perceptions of beauty. A symmetrical face is often considered more attractive, but perfect symmetry is rare. Rhinoplasty can correct […]
Your Eyes, Your Story
Honouring Heritage Through Ethnically Sensitive Asian Blepharoplasty When planning and performing Asian Blepharoplasty, Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong brings a unique blend of skill and cultural sensitivity to double eyelid surgery. Dr. Tong helps his patients celebrate their heritage, challenging the common misconception that the desire for double eyelid surgery stems from a wish to appear less Asian or more Caucasian. His practice is a testament to the beauty of diversity and the richness of Asian aesthetics. Debunking Myths: The Historical Roots of Double Eyelid Surgery Contrary to popular belief, the pursuit of double eyelids is not a bow to Western standards of beauty. Asian Blepharoplasty dates back to the late 1800s, long before Western influence became prevalent in Asian cultures. The procedure’s goals are deeply rooted in traditional Asian aesthetics, reflecting a beauty ideal that historically developed independent of Western influences. Dr. Tong understands this historical context and brings it to the forefront in his Toronto practice. Customizing Beauty: Tailoring the Double Fold to Enhance Asian Features Dr. Tong’s expertise in Asian Blepharoplasty lies in his ability to create an upper lid crease, and a wider, fuller look for the eyes while preserving their natural almond shape and other distinctive Asian features. Natural Asian double eyelids typically have a more subtle, narrower crease space than Caucasian lids, and the inner portion of the crease may taper to merge […]
What is a Bullhorn Lip Lift?
When it comes to enhancing one’s facial features, the lips play a significant role in achieving a harmonious and youthful appearance. Among the various lip enhancement procedures available, the Bullhorn Lip Lift has gained popularity for its ability to create a more defined and youthful upper lip. In this blog, Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Tong explores the details of what a Bullhorn Lip Lift is and how it can benefit you. What is a Lip Lift? A Lip Lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate a person’s appearance by addressing a number of common signs of aging that affect the upper lip. Over time, the lips begin to descend and sag. The distance between the nose and the margin of the upper lip increases. This natural part of the facial aging process can reduce “tooth show” (the portion of the teeth that is visible when the lips are relaxed and slightly open), which can make a person look older. The upper lip also begins to turn inward as we age, which can cause it to look thinner. A Lip Lift is performed to elevate the position of the upper lip and gently evert the lip so that it turns slightly outward and looks more youthful and pouty. What Makes the Bullhorn Lip Lift Technique Unique? The Bullhorn Lip Lift is so named due to the distinctive shape […]
5 Advantages of Mini Neck Lift Compared to Liposuction for Neck Rejuvenation
Neck contouring surgery is commonly requested of plastic surgeons. For patients who have excess (sagging or lax) neck skin, a neck lift procedure (or one of its variants) will be required. These procedures include Neck Lift, extended Neck Lift, or Facelift. What about when excess skin is NOT an issue? Patients are often better suited to a less invasive Neck Liposuction or alternatively, a Mini Neck Lift. To ensure patients’ cosmetic goals are achieved, Dr. Tong carefully assesses each patient to determine which procedure is best suited for a particular individual. In this blog post, Dr. Lawrence Tong compares Mini Neck Lift to Neck Liposuction. What is Neck (submental) Liposuction? Neck Liposuction is a less invasive procedure that is performed specifically to reduce subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat that sits beneath the skin) in the areas under the chin and neck. This area, called the submental area, is where a “double chin” resides. Submental fat is often situated under the chin from the bottom edge of the jawline, extending laterally to the ears, and is also a main culprit when patients complain about a lack of jawline definition. Treating the area under the chin and the neck with Liposuction allows Dr. Tong to sculpt the area to correct a double chin, reveal a more defined jawline, and create a slimmer neck. What is a Mini Neck Lift? A Mini […]
Maximize Your Facelift Results with Complementary Enhancements
Facelift surgery is an effective procedure that can turn back the hands of time and rejuvenate your appearance. For many patients, achieving the best possible Facelift results involves a combination of treatments. Choosing treatments which are right for you and your aesthetic goals are key to a comprehensive and harmonious transformation. As a reminder, Facelift surgery aims to: Improve deep lines and wrinkles on the face, such as smile lines Improve sagging of the cheeks and jawline Improve the appearance of the neck by tightening loose skin, removing excess fat, and smoothing away wrinkles and platysmal bands As a Toronto plastic surgeon experienced in delivering natural-looking Facelift results, Dr. Lawrence Tong shares some of his favourite complementary procedures for optimizing Facelift results below. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Blepharoplasty, also called Eyelid Surgery or an Eye Lift, enhances the eyes by addressing sagging eyelids and puffiness. The upper and lower lids can benefit from blepharoplasty. Combining this procedure with Facelift surgery restores a youthful look for a balanced and refreshed appearance. Brow lift As the face and neck sag and descend with age, so do the forehead, temples, and brows. An endoscopic brow lift or lateral brow lift are procedures that aim to rejuvenate the upper third of the face. A brow lift can elevate and tighten the forehead and temples, reduce wrinkles, reposition the brows, and reshape the brow arch. Brow […]
7 Things to Know About Eyelid Surgery Recovery
The recovery period after eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is different for every patient. Still, there are some aspects to eyelid surgery recovery that are universal. To help his Toronto-area patients feel educated and prepared for recovery after eyelid surgery, Dr. Lawrence Tong shares some helpful information about what can be expected, as well as tips to help make recovery easier. 1. Swelling and bruising are common It is common to experience swelling and bruising after eyelid surgery. This is a normal part of the healing process and should subside over the next week or two. Applying cold compresses to the area can help reduce swelling and bruising. Dr. Tong also recommends sleeping with your head elevated for the first week after your procedure. It is also normal to feel some discomfort after eyelid surgery, and your eyes may feel irritated or dry. Dr. Tong will recommend eye drops to help with this, and these symptoms should resolve quickly.1 2. You’ll need to take time off from work If you go to work performing a non-strenuous job (eg. in an office setting), Dr. Tong recommends taking approximately one week off from work after eyelid surgery. If you work from home, you can generally start working sooner, especially if you do not need to show your face on video. Dr. Tong will let you know when you are cleared to return to work, […]
How Can I Get Rid of a Double Chin?
Many patients at our Toronto practice visit Dr. Lawrence Tong in search of a way to improve the contour under their neck and eliminate submental fat in the region, which can create the appearance of a “double chin.” Whether a more defined neck profile is being inhibited by excess fatty deposits, stretched skin, loose musculature, or a combination of all these factors, our board-certified plastic surgeon offers a number of surgical and non-surgical solutions to achieve the sleeker, leaner aesthetic you desire. In general, chin and neck liposuction is considered the most effective way to reduce excessive fullness in the chin and neck region. Using a single tiny incision and a narrow surgical instrument called a cannula, fatty deposits under the chin are extracted, thereby creating a slimmer and sharper facial profile. This technique can be very effective if fatty tissue is the only component contributing to the look of a double chin; however, if a smoother neck contour is also being inhibited by horizontal neck bands, loose skin, or muscle laxity (platysmal bands), a neck lift is usually better suited to address these concerns more comprehensively. The procedure utilizes a number of discreet incisions behind the ears and beneath the chin to access the framework of the neck, allowing correction of excess fat, loose skin, and lax musculature. The neck lift (and its related procedures, such as extended neck […]
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