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February 2010 Archived Q & A with Dr. Levens

(Dr. Levens’ monthly column is carried by the Coral Springs Forum newspaper.)
 
Dear Dr. Levens:  I realize full lips are in fashion but I think mine are too large and too full.  Can lips be reduced? --MN

Dear MN:  Yes they can.  Typically, an incision is made along the inside of the lip, where any scars can most easily be concealed.  Then excess tissue is removed and the incision closed with tiny stitches.
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Dear Dr. Levens:  I would like to do something to reduce the unevenness, blotching and wrinkles on my facial skin, though I don’t think I need a facelift yet.  What’s the difference between laser resurfacing, chemical peels and dermabrasion?  Which would best solve my problem? --JH

Dear JH:  These three procedures are similar in terms of what can be achieved and any of them could be used to treat the condition you describe.  In all three cases, there are several levels of treatment, from superficial surface treatments to deep treatments  which penetrate further into the skin.  The superficial treatments have minimal recovery periods but moderate results.  The deeper treatments produce more dramatic results but recovery can be less comfortable and require more “down” time with increased scarring risks..  Sometimes, a series of lighter treatments over a period of time can produce very good results. 
 
Dear Dr. Levens:  How young is too young for breast implants? --RY

Dear RY:  I personally don’t perform breast enhancement procedures on patients under 18, and actually prefer patients to be a few years older, to ensure that they have reached both physical and emotional maturity.  Before committing to implant surgery, the surgeon should have a very open, honest discussion with the patient about her choices, her motivations, and her goals. This is not a decision that should be made impulsively or with unrealistic expectations.

Dear Dr. Levens:  My eyes look much younger and refreshed when I raise my eyebrows.  Does this mean I need a browlift?  --TS

Dear TS:  Not necessarily.  Eyebrow lifting is often, but not always, combined with an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) depending on individual desires and the position of the brow/upper eyelid.  The reason your eyes look better when brows are raised is probably because there is drooping of skin and fat in your upper eyelids.  The skin is smoothed when you raise your eyebrows.  Blepharoplasty and/or brow lift surgery can be performed to remove the excess fat and skin so that the refreshed look you mention persists.

Interested in seeing past questions? Please see our archived Q & A section.

Dr. Levens has been providing plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures for patients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Miami, North Lauderdale, Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Weston and throughout South Florida since 1989.