GROWING OLD IS A PRIVILEGE -
LOOKING OLD IS OPTIONAL!
BY SDS REJUVENATE
Over time your face may start to display small
signs of ageing that can leave you looking tired, or
sad and less like the real you. As we lose volume
and our skin loses elasticity and tone declines these
signs of ageing become more obvious. Treatment
with dermal fillers can revitalise and refresh your
look.
Ageing of the face is a complex process involving
volume loss throughout the face, skeletal remodelling
that changes the shape of the face and subcutaneous
fat redistribution and loss. Facial volume conveys
you th and as the volume that was once present
declines, the cheeks become sunken and hollow.
This loss of volume deepens the creases that run
from the nose to the mouth (the nasolabial folds),
and exaggerates the jowls along the lower jawline.
This results in a tired, saggy look! How many times
do we look in the mirror and “hitch up” the face by
pulling upwards and backwards creating an apparent
face lift?
Dermal fillers are an important tool in the
management of facial ageing, and by providing
support for facial structures and volumising and
recontouring this has resulted in major advances
in the field of aesthetic medicine. Dermal fillers are
now regarded as safe and are beneficial long term
as repeat treatments stimulate fibroblasts which are
responsible for producing new collagen and elastin
for good skin texture and integrity.
Previously a number of different types of dermal
fillers have been used and there are still a number
of myths and misconceptions regarding the wide
range of dermal fillers available today. We now use
predominately Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers.
HA is a naturally occurring substance found in our
body predominately in the dermis of our skin and
when injected blends seamlessly with the tissue
under the skin resulting in a natural looking result.
HA fillers have different molecular weights that need
to be injected into different tissue planes. In general
the more dense the filler the deeper it needs to be
injected.
In the past we’ve all seen often scary over treated
individuals and these images remain imprinted in
people’s minds and still make a number of individuals
apprehensive about considering treatment. However,
aesthetic treatments have moved on significantly as
techniques have developed and improved as a result
of understanding facial anatomy and how it changes
with each decade of ageing. Now we use smaller
volumes placed in strategic positions to achieve a
subtle, natural look.
We adopt a bespoke approach to treat each individual
patient and we assess the face in a 3D perspective
rather than the traditional more basic 2D approach
which concentrates just on filling lines and wrinkles.
This approach emphasises the importance of
replacing volume loss and re-contouring the face.
One of the primary aims of facial rejuvenation is
66 wirrallife.com
the restoration of a youthful three dimensional
appearance of the mid face enhancing and
projecting the cheek area. Patients often complain
about nasolabial folds (lines from nose to corner of
mouth) and it is important to understand that this is
the result of volume loss in the mid face. Treatment
these days is aimed at the cause of the problem rather
than the result of the problem. Dermal fillers can
still be used to treat residual superficial lines and
wrinkles but only after underlying volume loss has
been corrected.
Although volume replacement usually starts in the
mid face we also lose volume in the temples which
causes a hollowing that results in the brow appearing
short and the eyes can appear smaller. Replacing
the volume can significantly restore a youthful
contour that results in a lifting of the outer part of
the eyebrow and an open eye appearance. Volume
loss also takes place in the lower face combined with
skeletal remodelling of the chin. The chin actually
shortens with age and becomes broader which can
contribute to a fold developing between the chin
and lower lip (labio-mental fold). These changes
can be reversed with a combination of HA filler
treatment to restore volume of the chin and provide
support for the lines that extend from the corner of
the mouth to the lower jaw (marionette lines). Loss
of volume can also result in the sagging of the skin
along the lower jaw (jowls). This sagginess can be
corrected by placing the HA filler along the jawline
to provide a sharper and more defined jaw and also
by positioning filler in the space between the chin
and the jowl which camouflages the indentation
giving the jawline a more continuous contour.
We also use HA dermal fillers to plump and enhance
the lips. It is important that this is subtle and not
over treated. It is also important to address the area
around the lips (perioral area), not forgetting the so
called smokers lines or barcode lines. HA dermal
fillers can also improve the dark hollows under the
eyes (tear trough). The tear trough can make you
look tired even when you are well rested. This can
sometimes be present from an early age and can
cause lack of confidence. Treatment of this delicate
area should only be performed by very experienced
practitioners.
Every patient who comes to see us will have a full
and free consultation with one of our doctors in a
relaxed environment during which they can express
their concerns and together we can formulate an
appropriate treatment plan to suit the needs of each
individual. It is crucial that dermal filler treatments
are performed by experienced practitioners who
understand facial anatomy, the consequences of
ageing and are able and available to deal with any
complications. That is why all injectable treatments
in our clinics are only carried out by fully trained,
highly experienced doctors.
To arrange a free consultation or to find out more,
visit www.sdsrejuvenate.co.uk