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Dr. Hootan Zandifar, MD

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Hootan Zandifar, MD FACS, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the ZandifarMD in Beverly Hills, CA. A native of Los Angeles, he received his medical degree from the prestigious David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and was then accepted to one of a few highly sought after fellowships in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The incredible training he received under the tutelage of world-famous plastic and reconstructive surgeons enables Dr. Zandifar to provide the best and most advanced treatments.
Learn More About Me
26 years Experience
Dr. Hootan Zandifar, MD
Specializes in:
  • Plastic Surgeon
  • Plastic Surgeon | Facial Plastic Surgery
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Accepting new patients

What is the fastest way to recover from eyelid surgery?

The best way to recover from an eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is to listen to the instructions your surgeon has given you. But in general, these instructions would include resting READ MORE
The best way to recover from an eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is to listen to the instructions your surgeon has given you. But in general, these instructions would include resting your eyes, not rubbing or scrubbing your eyelids, not lifting anything heavy and not doing any strenuous activities. I recommend that my patients sleep with their heads elevated so that there is less swelling and bruising. I usually have them put a washcloth that has been dipped in ice bath over their eyes for the first 2 days. I have them avoid taking any medication that would cause increased bleeding and bruising (Such as ibuprofen, garlic, vitamin E,...). Finally, I usually have them take arnica a few days before until a week after surgery. When they do this, most of my patients are able to return to normal function 7 days after surgery.

Can you get fat removed from your cheeks?

The short answer is yes. There is a procedure called buccal fat reduction that can decrease the fat over your cheeks. This is usually done through a small incision inside your READ MORE
The short answer is yes. There is a procedure called buccal fat reduction that can decrease the fat over your cheeks. This is usually done through a small incision inside your mouth. However, this can only address the fat over your lower cheek basically around the mouth. To address extra fat or tissue over the rest of your cheeks a facelift procedure is usually needed. Through a facelift incision we can remove extra fat, re-suspend the muscles and remove extra skin. This leads to an over all great improvement of the cheek area.

How long is recovery from a face lift?

Great question. The detailed answers depends on the type of facelift that you are having. Is it a deep plane facelift or a short skin flap lift? Will there be a neck component READ MORE
Great question. The detailed answers depends on the type of facelift that you are having. Is it a deep plane facelift or a short skin flap lift? Will there be a neck component or not? All of these factors can change the recovery time by a week or so. But in general, I tell patients that the recovery for a facelift is usually about 7-10 days. After that you can put on makeup and go out to do your day to day stuff. If you are preparing for a major event such as a wedding or a party then I would usually recommend giving yourself 4-6 weeks of recovery time. By then your new face appears healthy, fresh and perfect for showing off.

Can a nose job improve breathing?

This is a very important question. Often times I see patients that had nose jobs and now have difficulty breathing through their nose. The truth is that if done by a competent READ MORE
This is a very important question. Often times I see patients that had nose jobs and now have difficulty breathing through their nose. The truth is that if done by a competent surgeon, a nose job not only improves the appearance of the nose but also improves its function. Meaning, after a nose job you should typically breath better than before. At the very lease you should not breath worse. In patients who need it, I usually combine a septoplasty procedure (to correct a deviated septum) with my nose jobs to improve the breathing of the nose. I sometimes find it necessary to address other functional aspects of the nose as well such as enlarged turbinates (turbinate hypertrophy) or collapsed nasal valve. I can then address each of these issues during the nose job (rhinoplasty) procedure. You need to find a surgeon who is very comfortable with all aspects of nasal function and form so that you have a great result bot cosmetically and functionally.

How many times can you get a face lift?

Thank you for your question. It is a really good question that comes up frequently. The short answer is as many as you would need. But that statement needs some clarifications. Generally, READ MORE
Thank you for your question. It is a really good question that comes up frequently. The short answer is as many as you would need. But that statement needs some clarifications.

Generally, most patients do not need a facelift until they are in their 50s or 60s. Before that we can manage many of the wrinkles and excessive skins with non-surgical procedures such as lasers, fillers and so on. But once the skin has become too saggy then the only solution is to have the excess skin removed and the muscle layer of the face supported. That's what a facelift would do. Typically when you have a facelift (if done appropriately) you can expect to look somewhere between 10-15 years younger. So now if you are 60 then you may look like you are 50. These results age with you but the benefit lasts forever. meaning that when you turn 70 you look like you are 60 and so on. Because of this most patients don't need a follow up full facelift. What we can do for them is to do a mini-facelift or a limited facelift in the future as the skin laxity returns. This is typically done only once or twice more and most patients don't even need nor want to have a second procedure because they are so happy with the results that they have.

I hope that answers your question.

Does plastic surgery of the hands make you look younger?

One of the most common complaints I get from my patients after doing a facelift on them is that they feel like now their hands give their age away. It’s really a difficult area READ MORE
One of the most common complaints I get from my patients after doing a facelift on them is that they feel like now their hands give their age away. It’s really a difficult area to treat because there isn’t really many options available to address the aging of the hand. That being said there are a few options available that give great results and help to make your hands appear younger.

First, you can use a filler such as Radiesse to give some volume back to the hands. One of the changes of aging is that the skin of the hand becomes thinner and the fat in the tissues begins to thin out. A filler can improve both of these issues and help to improve the appearance of your hands.

Second, you can do resurfacing of the hands. These can be done with light peels or lasers. Resurfacing helps to remove the age spots that appear on the hands and it can help to thicken the skin. Both of these changes help to improve the appearance of your hands.

What is a mini face lift?

Thank you for your question. This is a very good question that comes up often. To understand what a mini facelift is we have to first explain what a full facelift is. A full READ MORE
Thank you for your question. This is a very good question that comes up often. To understand what a mini facelift is we have to first explain what a full facelift is.

A full facelift involves incisions generally around the ears and in the hairline as well as incisions under the chin. The skin is elevated over the face and the neck and it allows us to re-suspend the sagging muscles and remove extra skin. The incisions heal beautifully in natural creases of the face and you have a younger more rejuvenated look.

A mini-facelift in many instances involves incisions that aren’t quite as long as a full facelift and the elevation of the skin usually isn’t quite as extensive. Therefore, a mini facelift has a shorter recovery time but also has a less dramatic results. Generally when you are younger than 60 having a mini facelift is a great option because you don’t need as much skin removed and your recovery is much faster. Also, when you have surgery earlier, you enjoy the benefits longer.

How do they put cheek implants in?

Great question, Cheek implants are a really good option for those patients who do not have a prominent cheek bone. There are a few ways that you can put cheek implants in. One READ MORE
Great question, Cheek implants are a really good option for those patients who do not have a prominent cheek bone. There are a few ways that you can put cheek implants in. One way to do it is through a small incision in the upper gum line. This lets us get access to the cheek bones and be able to place the implant where we want to. It also allows us to find and preserve the nerve that gives sensation to the cheek and upper teeth. A second way that a cheek implant can be placed is through a lower eyelid blepharoplasty incision known as a transconjunctival incision. This is a less commonly done approach. The appropriate approach can be decided with you and your facial plastic surgeon.

What is a liquid face lift?

This is a great question. What exactly is a Liquid Facelift. This is a term that I have seen being used more and more these days. To better explain it lets first explain what READ MORE
This is a great question. What exactly is a Liquid Facelift. This is a term that I have seen being used more and more these days. To better explain it lets first explain what is a facelift. A facelift is generally a surgical procedure that uses incision artistically hidden around the ears and hairlines to reduce sagging of the skin and improve the jawline, neckline and the cheek area. The results of a facelift last a lifetime. The recovery can be around 1-2 weeks and there is a fair amount of down time associated with it.

A liquid facelift on the other hand is when fillers are used to correct the wrinkles of the face. It has limitations to the amount of correction that can be done but as you would expect, it usually does not have a very long downtime. A liquid facelift is typically ideal for people who have less sagging of the skin and more hollowness. Both options are great and I would advise you to speak to a facial plastic surgeon to finds the ideal solutions for you.

What is the treatment for wrinkles?

Thank you for your questions. Facial wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are a very common complaint in my practice. You should know that there are many ways to treat the wrinkles READ MORE
Thank you for your questions. Facial wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are a very common complaint in my practice. You should know that there are many ways to treat the wrinkles of the face (also called Rhytids). First let's address the wrinkles around the eyes. To improve the appearance of these wrinkles, you can use products that weaken the movement of the muscles. These products include Botox, Dysport and Xeomin. They work wonderfully to decrease the wrinkles around the eyes and forehead and can also help to prevent new wrinkles from appearing. Sometimes the wrinkles around the eyes are cause by excessive skin. In this case you can have blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift. This procedure can be done with twilight anesthesia and achieves wonderful results with a quick recovery period. Another treatment for the wrinkles around the eye can be the use of resurfacing treatments such as lasers and chemical peels. As for the wrinkles around the mouth, they can be treated with lasers and chemical peels as well. However, you can also use fillers to fill the wrinkles and decrease their appearances. These fillers could be products such as Jeuvederm, Restylane or Belotero.

Does a fall mark heal on its own, or do I need plastic surgery?

Hi, sorry about your fall. Because the cuts from trauma generally have some crush injury to the tissues, they tend to leave more of a scar than surgical cuts. For this reason, READ MORE
Hi, sorry about your fall. Because the cuts from trauma generally have some crush injury to the tissues, they tend to leave more of a scar than surgical cuts. For this reason, it is best to see a plastic surgeon to evaluate your scar and see if there is anything that can be done to decrease the appearance of the scar. The good news is that there are lots of non-surgical options to improve the appearance of the scar. Your plastic surgeon can give you topical treatments to improve its appearance or use of lasers and resurfacing procedures. When all else fails, you can always resect and re suture the scar.

What does Botox treatment include?

Great question. Botox (or Dysport or Xeomine) is a product that weakens the strength of muscles. So we can use it to treat what we call kinetic wrinkles or wrinkles that are READ MORE
Great question. Botox (or Dysport or Xeomine) is a product that weakens the strength of muscles. So we can use it to treat what we call kinetic wrinkles or wrinkles that are caused by muscles that move. A great example is the muscles that move your forehead and eyebrows. These can cause wrinkles between your eyebrows (labella) or the wrinkles of the forehead. When we use Botox in this area, it can decrease the appearance of aging. In your sister's case, if she does have sagging skin she may need either a filler or surgery to remove excessive skin. I recommend seeing a plastic surgeon to better evaluate what her needs are.

What are the risks associated with a jaw contouring treatment?

To better answer this question it would be great to know what procedure it is that you are having. There are several treatments for re-contouring your jaw. For example, the jaw READ MORE
To better answer this question it would be great to know what procedure it is that you are having. There are several treatments for re-contouring your jaw. For example, the jaw can be re-contoured with use of fillers. Fillers can help to make the jaw line more straight. Common risks of fillers are bruising and swelling. However, there can be some serious risk if injection is done improperly. The jaw can also be countered using liposuction or other types of treatments that remove or dissolve fat. This also can lead to bruising and swelling. Again if done improperly you can have some serious side effects. Finally, the jaw can be re-contoured using a facelifting or a neck lifting procedure. This procedure should be performed by a trained facial plastic surgeon and leads to great results when done properly.

Is nose surgery painful?

Thank you for your thoughtful questions. The truth is that any surgical procedure can be uncomfortable and there is no exception with nose surgery or Rhinoplasty (also referred READ MORE
Thank you for your thoughtful questions. The truth is that any surgical procedure can be uncomfortable and there is no exception with nose surgery or Rhinoplasty (also referred to as a nose job). This can be due to many things such as pressure, congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose and yes pain. However, most patients are able to easily tolerate the pain and discomfort associated with rhinoplasty, by taking some oral pain meds. Most patients need only a few days of pain meds and then they find that simple Tylenol will suffice.
As far as recovery for rhinoplasty it usually takes 1-2 weeks for most of the immediate swelling to subside. However, for about 6 weeks we don't want you to wear glasses or put pressure on your new nose. This way you can ensure that all the tissues fuse in their proper location and there is no shifting of the bones. Also, your nose can be mildly swollen for up to a year. No, this doesn't mean you look swollen but you feel like your nose is still firm or numb. Time will take care of these feelings and you will love your new nose.

How long will it take for my skin graft to heal?

I'm sorry to hear about your burns. The treatment for burns is multifaceted and at times requires skin grafting. Most skin grafts will heal in 4-6 weeks. However, it really READ MORE
I'm sorry to hear about your burns. The treatment for burns is multifaceted and at times requires skin grafting. Most skin grafts will heal in 4-6 weeks. However, it really depends on the area that the grafts are placed and mainly how healthy the tissue under the burn area is. If it is healthy and has lots of blood supply then the skin graft should heal faster. If it is not then it will take longer. I hope you recover fully from your injuries and get back to your daily life.

How long will I be under during my nose job?

This is a great question that most patients ask. There is no set time for a nose job (also known as rhinoplasty). It all depends on many factors. First, what exactly will be READ MORE
This is a great question that most patients ask. There is no set time for a nose job (also known as rhinoplasty). It all depends on many factors. First, what exactly will be done? Will the surgeon be removing a bump, making the tip smaller, narrowing the bridge or straightening the nose or all of those and more? The exact time really depends on how much work is needed.
Second, have you had any surgeries before? Is it a revision surgery? Are you having any functional work such as septum done with it?
I would say that in my hands most primary nose jobs take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Add to that about 30 minutes for going to sleep and waking up and you get a rough estimate of anywhere from 3-5 hours. Hope that answers your question and enjoy your new nose.

Are there any risks with lip injections?

To answer this question, first, let me start by saying that any type of procedure or surgery can have risks. However, using injectables to plump your lips is generally very safe READ MORE
To answer this question, first, let me start by saying that any type of procedure or surgery can have risks. However, using injectables to plump your lips is generally very safe and the risks are very low. Now that being said here are some risks and depending on what type of material is used some of these risks are temporary and/or can be reversed. First, there is a chance of swelling and/or bruising. This is understandable, especially since if you have ever bitten or hit your lip you know how much the lip can swell. Ice and cool compresses will usually resolve this. Second, there may be some asymmetry to the lip. If this does happen, however, you can get a touch-up and make the lips more symmetric. Now the more serious risk is one that is called intravascular injection. This is when the material is injected into the vessel. This risk is very low but serious. If this occurs and you had a type of filler that was made of hyaluronic acid then you can get an injection of special medication to dissolve the filler. The lip may need further treatment as well. Luckily this risk is very low and if the injection is done properly it hardly occurs.

Will an otoplasty affect my ability to hear?

This is a great question and good for you to think about this. When you are having cosmetic surgery around areas that serve a function (Such as ears, nose, mouth and eyes) it READ MORE
This is a great question and good for you to think about this. When you are having cosmetic surgery around areas that serve a function (Such as ears, nose, mouth and eyes) it is always important to consider the effects of the surgery on those functions. You should always seek the advice of a surgeon experienced in surgery in those areas. Luckily, otoplasty (Surgery done to correct a protruded ear) done properly should in no way affect your hearing. The surgery will simply re-create the natural contour of your outer ear and reduced the protrusion of the ear. Your ear canal and vital ear structures that aid in hearing should remain undisturbed.

Will a rhinoplasty change the way I breathe through my nose?

This is a really good question that everyone who is considering rhinoplasty (Nose job) should consider. When surgery is being done around a structure that serves a function such READ MORE
This is a really good question that everyone who is considering rhinoplasty (Nose job) should consider. When surgery is being done around a structure that serves a function such as the nose extreme care needs to be done not to affect that function. In case of a rhinoplasty it can absolutely affect the way you breath. However, when done correctly, rhinoplasty typically can make your breathing better. I recommend seeking the advice of a surgeon who specialized in functional and cosmetic surgery of the nose. This way you can ensure that your breathing will not be negatively impacted.

Are there health risks involved with liposuction?

Plastic Surgery in general is very safe and carries little risk. This includes liposuction. There are some risks that can be seen with liposuction such as bleeding and infection READ MORE
Plastic Surgery in general is very safe and carries little risk. This includes liposuction. There are some risks that can be seen with liposuction such as bleeding and infection but they are relatively low. There are some risks that are rarely seen such as poor cosmetics, nerve or muscle weakness and pigment changes, when the surgery is performed by a well trained and experienced surgeon. If you have an experienced surgeon who is appropriately trained then you should not worry about anything.