LESS IS MORE
Makeovers no longer require extreme downtime in the hands of these skilled facial plastic surgeons

In a bygone era, the woman undergoing a facelift might tell little white lies about her absence from public for weeks on end. Medical science has changed that. Doctors Nicolette Picerno and Jeffrey Raval of Faces First in Denver and Lone Tree practice revolutionary (and FDA-approved) procedures that are as minimally invasive as they are minimally disruptive to a patient’s life. That, companioned with the fact that Colorado is a lifestyle-minded territory. The more active a person is, the more physically fit they are, and frequently they want their face to appear as youthful as the rest of their toned physique.

Patients often say to me, ‘If I could just do this….’” Dr. Raval, a national Sculptra™ trainer, demonstrates applying one finger to each cheekbone and lifting. Suddenly the jowls are gone, the neck firmer, and the face a good decade younger. “It’s possible today. What with the Thread Lift, Sculptra™, Restylane®, Botox®, etc. the options today are abundant.”

Both Doctors Raval and Picerno specialize in facial plastic surgery and only perform work from the neck up. As well, they are both triple-board certified by the American Boards of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Picerno is one of only three female facial plastic surgeons to have achieved that distinction in Colorado.

Dr. Picerno is known as Denver’s “weekend face lift” doctor, a technique that earned its name because many patients undergo the procedure on a Friday and have the bandages removed on a Monday. "Procedures like the weekend facelift are becoming more and more popular," Dr. Picerno says.

"Patients don't want the downtime and major overhauls that are involved with the traditional surgeries. Minimally invasive techniques let them get in, out and on with their lives," she adds. Performed under local anesthesia, the weekend facelift “is extremely effective for patients in their late 30s or early 40s,” who adds that she’s seeing increasing numbers of younger patients opting for smaller procedures more frequently rather than waiting until a major overhaul is needed.

“Less is more,” concludes Dr. Raval, of his philosophy on elective surgeries and treatments. Raval, who is considered to be The Nose Guy among surgeons for his rhinoplasty surgeries, is a fan of moderation in facial plastic surgery. “We can reverse the signs of aging and the effects of aging by doing a few small things—some fat injections and a few peels, for example. These treatments can make a huge improvement and don’t cost a lot either.”

Faces First has in in-office spa featuring facials and waxing to complement the physicians’ treatments.