Quiet Aesthetics, subtle work, is the ultimate form of luxury in this arena of medicine. It may be true that what you see is what you get in other areas of life, but this is decidedly not the case here. It’s important therefore to debunk the myth that dermal filler = puffy pillow faces & facial features morphed beyond recognition.
So let’s chat about a few common queries & concerns…
A frequently discussed concern for my patients relates to the use (read over-use) of dermal filler. A number of queries tend to come up, but everyone who mentions it, refers to the dreaded “pillow face” as being an ideal that they do not wish to chase.
I’m always thrilled to be having these conversations with patients. Their wariness provides an opportunity to educate on how nuanced & subtle dermal filler can be when injected correctly or with a particular end-point in mind. Noticeable to a pleasing effect, but not nearly verging on a bloated/rounded face filled out to dysmorphic proportions.
These conversations also highlight the fact that ideals do exist, but that they are changing, with a massive swing towards looking more natural, more like you.
The idea that subtle work = a sign of luxury… And most importantly, more like the you of today, & not, the you of a long time ago. The latter is virtually impossible to maintain. And it looks silly anyway.
Lastly, not all negative outcomes relate to hyaluronic acid-based fillers. There are other procedures & related products on the market that can morph the appearance significantly if over-prescribed.
Celebrities like Madonna have dabbled with large volumes of dermal filler (& other modalities/procedures-it’s not all down to filler) & have ultimately come full circle. Even Nicole Kidman has taken matters too far at various stages but seems to have clawed her way back.
Luckily for many of you (& me), there are plenty of celebs eager to lend their voices, & faces, to the natural brigade. Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet, Paulina Porizkova, Emily Blunt et al who have undergone more subtle enhancements but largely prefer to embrace being their 40- & 50- something selves.
Types of Fillers explained:
For most of us there is an understanding of what dermal filler is. But it’s important if you aren’t sure to key into the differences, especially when starting to consider different treatment options presented by your clinician.
And so for clarity, in my practice, these are hyaluronic acid-based, reversible & non-permanent gels used to re-volumise, contour & subtly enhance targeted areas of the face. These products address lack of volume in the cheeks, lips, temples, marionette lines & nasolabial folds; are useful for contouring of the jawline & chin; are great for liquid rhinoplasties; & can address hollowing around the eyes. I have a preference for using the Restylane stable of products when addressing any of these deficits.
Then, there are hybrid fillers, newer kids on the block, in which a hyaluronic acid filler is combined with a suitable active that has some collagen stimulatory effect. These products can be used in somewhat similar areas to traditional fillers but provide the addition of collagen production in the medium to longer term (Note: not all patients are appropriate candidates for such products). Examples are HarmonYCa by Allergan & newly launched Nexha by Mesoestetic.
Collagen stimulation in its purest & most powerful form comes from products that contain actives that are exclusively designed & designated to address areas that require this (everything from select areas of the temple, lateral cheek, jawline, to the neck, décolletage or areas of the body). Such products are not hyaluronic acid based. They are not gels. They are not for use (in South Africa) in the central areas of the face. Rather they are powder-based, delivered into the body in solution & induce the body to undergo a cascade of collagen synthesis where placed (usually intradermally). The product I use here is Sculptra.
Bio-modulators (Profhilo) & hyaluronic acid based skin boosters (e.g. Restylane Vitale & Vitale Light) are also hyaluronic acid gels, but are prepared either differently in the lab/ & have different qualities as a consequence & are used for primarily hydration, fine lines, dull skin, pore reduction. Essentially for the improvement of the skin’s quality.
A last word on the changing face (excuse the pun) of medical aesthetics:
Applying the principle of less is more, patients can rest assured I’m always happy to discuss any concerns or queries raised regarding outcome.
