For many people, a great source dissatisfaction with their bodies is not any particular part, but in an unattractive scar. Whether it be from surgery, an injury, wound, or burn, a poorly healed scar can cause one much distress and even embarrassment. Scaring is also a significant factor for patients deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery. They suffer concerns over the appearance of their scars after surgery, and whether or not the scars will be noticeable to others. Dr. Savalia can greatly improve the appearance of an unsightly scar through a variety of methods.

Scar revisions are generally performed on scars that have had adequate time to heal; usually one year later. Dr. Savalia uses several methods to improve a scar, including the injection or topical application of steroids, or through a surgical procedure known as Scar Revision.

Depending on the type of scar, a combination of methods may be utilized. The types of scars that can be improved include: keloid, hypertropic, contractures, and generally any type of injury or surgical scar. For keloid scars, that have a high tendency to return even if surgical removed, Dr. Savalia uses steroids to help combat the reoccurrence of the offending scar. For many scars, the treatment is to simply cut out the excess scar tissue, and close the wound using smaller stitches. It is also possible to reposition the scar so that becomes less noticeable. For larger scars such as contractures from burns, often a skin graft or flap is needed to revise the scar, although it is a more involved procedure and often requires more healing time for the patient.

Facial scars are always of great concern to a patient, as the scar lies on the most visible portion of the body. There are various methods of highly effective treatments. Dr. Savalia often, simply cuts the scar from the face and closes the wound using tiny stitches, which leave a thinner and much less visible scar. Facial scars can also benefit from being repositioned so that they may run parallel to the natural lines in the face.

There are many factors that can have an effect on the severity of one’s scars: the size and depth of the wound, blood supply to the area, the thickness and color of the skin, and the direction of the scar. Although there is no procedure that can entirely remove a scar, patients can expect a great deal of improvement and satisfaction in the overall appearance of their scars after treatments for revision.

Elaina Hollis

Patient Coordinator

Want a fuller, more youthful lip contour? The cosmetic procedure called lip augmentation can help you plump your lips permanently with advanced injectable fillers, fat transfer, or lip implants. Adding volume to the lips can have a positive effect on the appearance of the entire face, creating a soft, attractive look.

Lip augmentation is a great option for patients who have naturally thin lips or who have lost fullness as a result of aging. As an added benefit, lip augmentation patients may also experience reduced wrinkles and lines around the mouth. This minimally-invasive cosmetic option is gaining popularity as new fillers and techniques improve the type of results that are possible.

Injectable fillers – Safe, FDA-approved injectable fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane can be used to achieve the desired fullness. The results are temporary as most fillers absorb into the body; however full lips can be maintained long term with repeat treatments.

Fat transfer – In this procedure, fat cells from another part of your body are transferred to the lips. Many patients will enjoy permanent results with fat transfer.

Lip Implants – Implants made from biocompatible materials are surgically implanted into the lips for a permanent plumping solution. SoftForm, GoreTex or Alloderm are a few of the choices available today.

If you are interested in beautifying your lips with augmentation, schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon. Your doctor can go over the details of this simple cosmetic procedure, discuss your financing options, and show you before and after photos.

For more information on lip augmentation, contact Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Ear surgery, also called “ear pinning” or “otoplasty,” has helped countless adults and children avoid the negative self-image effects of protruding or abnormal ears. By gently reshaping and sculpting the ear cartilage, a skilled cosmetic surgeon can give you a more desirable, balanced ear shape and size. Even subtle ear pinning can make a big difference in the appearance of the face and head, producing very rewarding results.

Ear surgery can improve the following conditions:

• Protruding ears
• Oversized ears
• Lop ear (folding tip)
• Cupped ear (small ear)
• Shell ear (missing curves and creases)
• Stretched earlobes
• Large creases and wrinkles

Otoplasty for Children

Physical abnormalities are often pronounced on small bodies, and many kids may feel self-conscious about misshapen ears or endure teasing. Cosmetic ear surgery is commonly performed on children after age 5, or even adults, to improve the proportions and correct defects. Compared to other surgical procedures, the risks and recovery are minimal, making childhood an ideal time for ear pinning.

The Ear Pinning Procedure

Ear pinning can be performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with sedation in a 2 – 3 hour procedure. An experienced plastic surgeon will use the reconstructive process to create a new ear shape that fits well with other facial features. Recovery for both adults and children averages about one week.

Is ear surgery right for you?

If you are considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, talk to an experienced Orange County otoplasty surgeon about the possibilities. Take a look at a variety of before and after photos to help you see what kinds of results are possible with this procedure. Please contact Dr. Nirav Savalia today at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today to set up your new patient consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

For patients battling or overcoming skin cancer, things like appearance, self-image and confidence can be deeply affected by the course of this disease. Cells of the body can be injured by the cancer itself, weakened by radiation treatments, or damaged during surgical cancer removal. In the uphill battle to beat the disease, skin cancer reconstruction offers cancer patients a way to restore dignity and improve appearance.

Especially in sunny climates like Newport Beach, skin cancer is highly prevalent. Invasive skin cancer can mean anything from minor scars to disfigurement following the removal of diseased cells.

By seeking an experienced reconstructive plastic surgeon, you may be able to restore the healthy, normal skin appearance that was lost during skin cancer treatment. Skin cancer reconstruction is most commonly performed after Moh’s surgery of the neck and facial areas, but can be used on almost any area of the body. Advanced reconstruction techniques such as skin grafting and facial flaps may be recommended to return skin altered by cancer removal to a normal appearance. Refining treatments like dermabrasion, scar revision and laser skin smoothing can be used to further repair the damage and enhance results.

If you are facing skin cancer surgery, visit with a skilled skin cancer reconstruction doctor to discuss your options. For more information on skin cancer reconstruction, please contact Newport Beach skin cancer reconstruction surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Gravity and time can be unforgiving. For many women and men, the effects of aging take their toll on the neck area, often creating a neck appearance that draws attention away from positive facial features.

The dreaded “turkey neck” occurs when the skin surrounding the lower face and neck loses elasticity, and the muscles loosen, causing sagging. Although it is more commonly present in people age 60 and up, turkey neck can occur even in the early 50s due to genetics, sun damage, or other environmental factors.

Thankfully, there’s a solution. A cosmetic neck lift procedure can help you restore a smooth jaw line and a well-defined neck through expert muscle tightening and skin removal. Although nonsurgical treatments like Botox may help improve the appearance of wrinkling or creasing, a surgical neck lift is really the best aggressive solution for the dramatic improvement of loose neck skin. The procedure lasts a few hours, and down time ranges about ten days.

Depending on your situation, neck lift surgery may involve the use of different techniques, including:

Liposuction — the removal of fat deposits

Cervicoplasty — the excision of excess skin

Platysmaplasty — the tightening of neck muscles

Additional surgical procedures, such as eyelid surgery, forehead lift or facelift, may be recommended to optimize the results of a neck lift. To learn more about the benefits of neck lift, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery.

How can you improve the look and condition of skin without surgery or expensive creams? Chemical peels are a very cost-effective way to refresh and rejuvenate skin with little discomfort or downtime. These treatments involve the application of a safe, chemical-based solution that helps remove dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, new layer of skin. Chemical peels are most often performed on the face, but may also be used on other areas of the body affected by aging or sun damage.

You may be a candidate for a chemical peel if you want to:

• Reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth
• Minimize acne and scarring
• Minimize freckles, sunspots, or other areas of hyperpigmentation
• Promote even skin tone

Depending on your needs, your cosmetic surgeon will choose the type of solution that will work best. (Salicyclic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid are a few options.) Together, you will also choose the depth of peel — superficial, medium, or deep. After the application and removal of the solution, you may feel a stinging or warm sensation. When redness or irritation subsides, you’ll notice a smoother feel and a more even skin tone.

To find out more about chemical peels, schedule a complimentary consultation with facial rejuvenation expert Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Here are a few of your choices:

Surgical facial anti-aging procedures include:
• Facelift
• Forehead lift
• Eyelid lift
• Neck lift
• Cheek implants
• Chin implants
• Fat transfer

Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options include:
• Botox
• Chemical peels
• Lip augmentation
• Juvederm
• Restylane
• Collagen
• Radiesse
• Sculptra

To learn more about the different facial treatments, read patient testimonials or visit a facial rejuvenation Before and After Gallery. If you are considering a surgical anti-aging solution, you may want to do some research on what to expect for pre- and post-op care.

If you would like to discuss your facial anti-aging options, schedule a complimentary consultation with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

How do you address the problem of facial wrinkles, but avoid the commitment of surgery? Wrinkle fillers are a wonderful, effective solution for the signs of aging that require very little time or cost.

Restylane, Collagen, Juvederm, Prevelle Silk, Radiesse and Artefill are six popular wrinkle fillers that have been producing amazing results for patients worldwide. Here’s what you need to know:

Restylane — Fight medium to deep facial wrinkles with this special serum that recreates the natural “sugar” molecule that exists within our skin called hyaluronate. Restylane works great on crow’s feet, laugh lines and frown lines, acne and chickenpox scars. Restylane can also be used cheek contouring and chin augmentation. Only ten to 15 minutes per area is required, repeated an average of every six to 12 months.

Juvederm — This new dermal filler is the only hyaluronic acid filler FDA-approved to last up to one year! This injectable gel uses the naturally-occurring substance hyaluronic acid to add volume and hydration to aging skin. Facial wrinkles and folds are instantly smoothed for a more youthful, natural look.

Prevelle Silk— Just FDA-approved in March of 2008, Prevelle Silk is a colorless HA gel with lidocaine used to minimize the appearance of moderate to severe facial lines, folds, and wrinkles. A recent clinical study showed that the presence of lidocaine resulted in significantly reduced discomfort during treatment.

Radiesse — Using calcium-based microsphere technology, Radiesse stimulates the body to produce collagen, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin. Radiesse is great for adding volume to aging facial skin and improving areas with wrinkles and creases.

Artefill — As a non-resorbable wrinkle filler, Artefill is used to correct smile lines (nasolabial folds) for permanent results. Usually just one or two treatments are required for noticeable results.

Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about these and other nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments. A skilled cosmetic surgeon can help you choose the treatment that is right for your goals and lifestyle.

For a more dramatic change, you may also want to consider surgical procedures like the face lift, forehead lift, and neck lift.

To learn more about facial fillers, schedule a complimentary consultation with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical solution that can effectively minimize or eliminate frown lines, forehead creases and crow’s feet. If you are age 18 to 65, you may be a good candidate for BOTOX.

BOTOX Cosmetic is an FDA-approved, injectable solution made of purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. When the BOTOX solution is injected under the skin, the muscles that cause frown lines are forced to relax. The result is a smoother, younger-looking facial appearance.

One of the best features of BOTOX is the fact that it can be performed in about 10 minutes. There’s little if any discomfort and no downtime, and results can last up to four months. Many regular BOTOX patients pop in to see the doctor over their lunch hours!

Remember that BOTOX and other nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments require a high skill level to ensure safe, successful results. A skilled cosmetic surgeon can help you choose the treatment that’s right for you and get the appearance enhancements you’re looking for.

Visit the BOTOX Cosmetic Web site or Check out before and after photos of BOTOX patients.

To learn more about your nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options, schedule a complimentary consultation with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today.

-Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a great solution to combat signs of aging around the eye area. A skilled, experienced cosmetic surgeon can use advanced surgical techniques to remove excess skin, fat and tissue for a tightened, more youthful eye appearance. Performed under local or general anesthesia anesthesia, the eyelid lift procedure can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids. The surgeon will carefully place the incisions in natural creases so that the scars become imperceptible after healing.

View Before and After photos of the eyelid lift procedure.

If you desire a facial anti-aging procedure, you may also want to check out the following options:

• Facelift
• Forehead lift
• Cheek implants
• Chin implants
• Fat transfer
• Botox
• Chemical peels
• Lip augmentation

If you would like to discuss your facial rejuvenation options, schedule a complimentary consultation with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Nirav Savalia at Finesse Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery today.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant