How can you tell if someone had work done?
Published January 13, 2010, by:
Fadi Nukta, MD
Have you ever looked at someone and wondered if he/she had something done? The fact that most people try to hide that they have visited their plastic surgeon makes it even more tempting to find out. Plastic surgeons spend much effort in hiding the scars of surgery. However, despite all attempts, there are certain signs that someone had something done to his/her face. Some signs are due to an unanticipated complication, while others are just part of having surgery.
1) Botox®: Botox is a toxin that temporarily paralyzes facial muscles. The relaxation of these muscles leads to improvement in wrinkles. Usually, it is injected in the forehead, around the eyebrows and at the edges of the eyelids. This usually gives a younger and fresher appearance to the face. At the same time, it prevents the movement of certain muscles. Someone who had Botox injected will not be able to frown effectively. He/she sometimes cannot raise his/her eyebrows, or will do it to a different degree between the two sides. All effects of Botox are temporary.
2) Fillers: There are different types of fillers on the market. These are thick substances that can fill deflated parts of the face. For example, Radiesse®, Juvederm® and others are injected in the groove between the lip and the cheek. This fills the groove and gives the face a younger look. However, when looking closely, in some people you will see a small lump moving as the person smiles. The problem with fillers is they last longer, up to a year or more. The key to prevent this is not to go overboard with the amount injected, and to inject it evenly.
3) Facelift: A facelift is usually performed through incisions that are done in front and back of the ears. The skin and tissue under it is then pulled and excess skin is excised. The telltale signs of a facelift are: 1) A shift in the sideburns, or having no sideburns in an older female; 2) Any tugging or pulling of the earlobe; 3) “Joker line,” which is a line that results from pulling on the skin and appears to run from the corner of the lip to the ear. It is very commonly observed in older females who have had multiple facelifts over the years.
These are a few of many signs. In general, if there is a disparity in aging in different parts of the body, it is possible that a knife or a needle has intervened. For example, someone with a wrinkle-free face but hands that are full of age spots and wrinkles probably had something done to help his/her face. We are seeing new records in the number of plastic surgery procedures performed every year. New techniques are introduced every day to hide these signs. The best way to hide your plastic surgery signs is to choose a plastic surgeon that you trust, and remember, in plastic surgery, more is less.
