Wondering if Botox is for you? Dr. Harinder Chahal answers your cosmetic surgery questions

03/02/2020Cosmetics

On the heels of his recent Injectable Day event, we spoke with Harinder Chahal, M.D., to find out more about his specialty, Oculofacial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Chahal specializes in surgery of the eyelids, face, and neck, including cosmetic surgery, trauma, reconstruction, and non-surgical interventions such as laser resurfacing and dermal filler injection. His services include:

• Upper and Lower Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
• Brow lift
• Injectables (Botox & fillers)
• Scar revision & trauma
• Skin cancer
• Skin rejuvenation (laser resurfacing & chemical peel)
• Fat grafting
• Laser hair removal

Dr. Chahal, tell us a little about your specialty.

My specialty involves the correction of surgical problems on the face with a special expertise in the region around the eyes.

Why is this specialty important to you?

Our faces are crucial to our personal identities. They help us project our inner selves to the outer world, and they’re often the first thing people notice about you when you meet them for the first time. Reflecting on ourselves in the mirror is how many of us both start and end our days, and it’s through our facial expressions we communicate and show emotion. So treating the face is profoundly rewarding for me. From a strictly technical perspective, cosmetic surgery incorporates elements of plastic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, maxillofacial surgery, and more, and I love the challenge and art of applying these diverse disciplines to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals.

What would you say is your most requested procedure?

My most commonly requested procedures are likely cosmetic injections such as Botox and fillers, and various types of eyelid/eyebrow surgeries.

What’s a common question you get from patients about cosmetic injections?

I frequently get asked about the difference between botulinum (i.e. Botox, etc.) versus filler injections. Botulinum is a treatment used to relax facial muscles, which subsequently improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face caused by these muscles. Fillers, in contrast, are a gel-like material that is used to restore lost volume that occurs with aging. Fillers can be thought of as analogous to putting air in a tire.

Is there a procedure you’ve performed in your career that stands out?

The “biggest” surgery I’ve ever participated in was the complete removal of a tumor involving an entire half of a patient’s face. The removal of the tumor and subsequent reconstruction took almost 18 hours.

What is your advice to patients considering cosmetic procedures? 

First of all, I encourage anyone thinking about cosmetic procedures to find a surgeon you are comfortable with whose judgment you trust. Surgery is not a decision to be made lightly, so my best advice is to do some research ahead of time so you feel absolutely sure about every step taken. Take time to think through the implications of various treatments before proceeding, and feel free to solicit second opinions if you have any doubts.

Contact Dr. Chahal for a consultation today

Dr. Chahal and the wonderful staff in the Oculofacial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery department are available to answer any questions you may have about cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. To request an appointment, please call (559) 486-5000. To stay informed about future Injectable and/or Beauty Day events, follow us on Facebook.