Facial feminization procedures aim to soften or feminize the features of a traditionally masculine face. There are many options for feminizing the face, so this blog will discuss the most common procedures offered to facial feminization surgery patients.
What Does Facial Feminization Surgery Do?
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) aims to give patients with masculine features softer, more feminine ones instead. While FFS is commonly performed on patients of all genders, it is most associated with the important feminization process of male-to-female (MTF) transgender patients.
Dr. Harrison Lee is the premier FFS surgeon in Beverly Hills and offers expert advice, unparalleled skill, and the highest level of care to his patients. Below, we will detail some of the most common FFS procedures that Dr. Lee offers so readers can start thinking about the procedures they may need or be interested in.
Hairline Advancement Surgery, Forehead Reduction, and Brow Lift Surgery
One of the most stark differences between a masculine face and a feminine face is the prominence of the brows, brow bone, and hairline. Typically, men have thicker, more pronounced brow bones and orbital bones. Additionally, the male hairline is generally higher up, resulting in a more prominent forehead.
Hairline Advancement Surgery: Lowers the hairline to reduce the height of the forehead for a more rounded feminine hairline.
Forehead Reduction (Brow Bone Contouring Surgery): Reduces the protrusion of the forehead and upper eye areas for more feminized features.
Brow Lift: Lifts the brows and reduces wrinkles in the forehead, creating a more feminine arch.
Cheek Surgery, Chin Surgery, and Jaw Contouring Surgery
These three procedures can be considered the primary face-shaping procedures for FFS. A key feature of a feminized face is a soft, oval, or heart shape, often with a delicate or pointed chin. Not every FFS patient will want or need all of these procedures, but Dr. Lee almost always incorporates some combination of them to achieve a feminine face shape. Another key feature of a feminized face is a round or oval chin and jawline.
Cheek Surgery: Patients can reduce large, bony cheekbones that may be out of proportion with the rest of the face or achieve that chiseled, modelesque look with cheek implants.
Chin Surgery: This procedure can change the chin’s position, size, and shape. If the patient has a poorly developed chin, Dr. Lee can use chin implants to create the desired aesthetic.
Jaw Contouring Surgery: This is one of the most impactful FFS procedures. A soft, oval jawline is key to a feminine appearance, and many MTF patients have more masculine jawlines they would like to soften. This procedure involves shaving down the bone and cartilage for the desired effect; alternatively, Dr. Lee can create a stronger or more contoured result with jaw implants, if desired.
Lip Augmentation and Subnasal Lip Lift
While biology has little to do with the size of the lips, voluminous, plump lips are certainly a feminine ideal. Dr. Lee offers both lip augmentation and lip lifts.
Lip Augmentation: Either through non-surgical lip injections, such as dermal fillers or fat grafting, or permanent lip augmentation through implants, Dr. Lee can increase the volume of the lips for a subtle (or dramatic) pout.
Subnasal Lip Lift: This is sometimes considered a permanent lip augmentation, as Dr. Lee shortens the length of skin from beneath the nose to the lip, causing the lips to look fuller and feminizing the mouth. For best results, this procedure is often considered a precursor to lip augmentation.
Thyroid Cartilage Reduction and Rhinoplasty
These last two procedures make a huge impact on the results of FFS for MTF patients, most notably thyroid cartilage reduction, also known as Adam’s Apple reduction. Rhinoplasty is not necessarily related to feminization, as nose shape generally has little to do with gender presentation, but it is a highly successful procedure for helping patients match a certain aesthetic and has a significant impact on the overall harmony of the face.
Thyroid Cartilage Reduction: Dr. Lee surgically alters the Adam’s Apple to reduce its size and protrusion, resulting in a more slender, feminized appearance of the neck and throat. This is often seen as a huge step for patients seeking FFS.
Rhinoplasty: Dr. Lee is an extremely talented facial plastic surgeon with advanced techniques for rhinoplasty. Patients can reduce the size of the nose bridge, nostrils, nasal humps, and more. This procedure is remarkably impactful, affecting the overall appearance of the entire face with the smallest alterations.
How Many FFS Procedures Do I Need?
This is entirely up to you, but Dr. Lee can also help you decide. His expert opinion has helped some of Hollywood’s most famous trans patients reach their desired, self-affirming aesthetic, and he can help you, too.
Part of Dr. Lee’s signature, cohesive, natural-looking results come from his philosophy of combining multiple procedures. Many of these procedures have lengthy recovery periods, but when you combine procedures like hairline lowering and brow bone shaving with other surgeries like rhinoplasty, you only have to contend with one recovery rather than several discrete recovery periods. Not only does this save you time and money, but you will see more distinct results at once, increasing your self-confidence and progress toward your goals.
On the surgical aspect of this philosophy, Dr. Lee achieves more natural-looking results because his surgical techniques are so cohesive and harmonious. For example, the alterations made to your neck gradually blend with your jawline and chin for an elegant, congruous result.
Want to Learn More About Your FFS Options in Beverly Hills, CA?
Dr. Harrison Lee is one of the top-rated FFS specialists in the country, performing absolutely stunning procedures that not only affirm his patients’ identity but are also technically and aesthetically gorgeous. If you are ready to see what our facial plastic surgery specialist can do for you, call Dr. Harrison Lee at (310) 777-2627 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation.