OPTIMUM AGE Thirties. Botox is preventive and corrective.

DOS & DON’TS OF CHOOSING COSMETIC PROCEDURES

TOO MUCH SURGERY: THE SIGNS

OVERDONE NOSE Scooped dorsum, pinched tip, too small for your face, too short, you can see inside the nostrils

OVERSIZED OR BADLY POSITIONED FACIAL IMPLANTS Cheeks and chins that bulge in odd places

EYES THAT DON’T CLOSE Sclera show, lid lag, upper lids so tight they squeak, almond-shaped or cat’s eyes (this comes from too much lateral pull or too many mini or upper face-lifts)

WIND TUNNEL A too-tight face-lift that has erased natural lines of expression or movement

OVERPEELED Shiny, white, detextured skin that doesn’t match the neck, hands or chest

TROUT POUT Overfilled lips with ridges that interfere with the ability to smile

HIGH BROWS The “rabbit caught in headlights” look of an overlifted brow. Brows should not be stretched too high

HOLLOW EYES Too much fat has been removed, leaving a gouged look

PUT TING IT RIGHT

Many procedures are reversible, or can be improved or made to look better if you are not happy with the results. For example, an overdone nose may be altered with autologous (from the patient’s own body) or alloplastic (synthetic) implants, which are used to build up depressions and scooped-out profiles, and to add projection to overshortened tips.

Facial implants can be removed and left out permanently, exchanged for a smaller implant or repositioned where the implant should have been placed originally. In some areas, such as the eyelids, where the skin is the thinnest on the body and tends to be unforgiving, poor results are more difficult to repair.

If a face-lift results in asymmetry, or pulls the skin in the wrong direction or is too tight, you are left with two options: waiting until the skin loosens up on its own or having more surgery. The downside is that you will have to start the healing process all over again.

IF YOU’RE UNHAPPY

ONE MONTH BEFORE Go for blood tests, ECG, chest x-ray and mammogram, as instructed. If you are having facial surgery, when you go for your last haircut, make sure that you keep it long around your ears

THREE WEEKS BEFORE If you are taking any vitamins and supplements, you will probably be advised to stop. Vitamin E, for example, thins the blood and can aggravate bleeding. Quit cigarettes and nicotine substitutes — smoking is the main cause of reduced healing

TWO WEEKS BEFORE If requested, discontinue hormone-replacement therapy. Load up on vitamin C (1g-1.5g per day).Cut down on alcohol

ONE WEEK BEFORE Last chance to colour or perm your hair, as fresh scars are sensitive to chemicals for a few weeks. Pick up a camouflage cream and green undertone to conceal bruises. Get any supplies that your surgeon has advised from your pharmacy: for instance, gloves, gauze, hydrogen peroxide, swabs. Arrange to have a friend or family member take you home after surgery

THE DAY BEFORE Stock your larder with low-salt broth, juice, water, teas and soft foods. Start taking arnica tablets or capsules if your doctor allows it. You may be advised to start a course of antibiotics before you undergo surgery. Call your surgeon’s office to confirm your time of arrival at the hospital. Schedule your first post-surgery visit

THE NIGHT BEFORE Remove nail varnish if requested, and contact lenses. Wash your hair twice, so it’s as clean as it can be while you’re in. Fill all the ice trays in the freezer

ON THE MORNING Wear loose-fitting clothes — nothing that pulls over your head. Don’t apply moisturiser, body lotion, fragrance or make-up

A TIME TO HEAL