In the News

ANTI-WRINKLE DERMAL FILLERS – RELAX & SOFTEN FACIAL MUSCLES

Fillers in Dubai | 10 January 2020

Dermal fillers treatment involves injecting a medically developed solution under the skin with a fine needle to enhance facial features and plump and fill lines, grooves or sunken areas. Dr. Matteo Vigo only uses high quality products and use Juvederm.

Administered correctly by a medical professional, dermal fillers can subtly smooth, soften, contour and tone the skin; restore youthful plumpness and enhance and define your features.

Where can dermal fillers be used?

Dermal fillers are used to treat a range of skin concerns, including lack of volume and shallow to deep wrinkles and folds. Popular areas to add volume and fullness to include the lips, cheeks and bridge of the nose. For smoothing, adding volume, plumping lines and wrinkles, popular treatment areas include around the forehead, tear troughs, mouth (smile, marionette and lipstick lines), jawline and chin.

Your dermal fillers consultation: what to expect

Your dermal fillers consultation will be with Dr. Vigo who will assess your needs, suitability and determine the most appropriate form of treatment. During your consultation he will be able to answer any questions you may have about your skin concerns and give you personalised advice. If the decision is taken to proceed with filler treatment, he will be able to carry out the treatment in-clinic.

Types of dermal fillers

Cheek fillers – add volume and lift to your cheeks.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty – reshape your nose with a non-surgical nose job.

Tear trough fillers – instantly revive and refresh your under eyes, reducing dark circles.

Lip fillers – add extra volume and plumpness to lips.

Jawline and chin – add volume to the jaw and chin area.

What Is a Tummy Tuck? Is It Right For You?

Tummy Tuck Dubai | 9 January 2020

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess abdominal fat and skin. Depending on the individual, a tummy tuck also may rebuild muscles that have become weakened or separated due to pregnancy or trauma. The result is firmer, flatter and more contoured abdomen. After pregnancy or weight loss, excess skin and fat can distort the appearance of the abdomen. In particular, many women find that after their second child or after bearing twins, their muscles and skin do not return to their original appearance secondary to repeated stretch of the abdomen. The abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck” procedure, creates a flatter, firmer abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, and tightening the abdominal muscles. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you are at a stable weight and are physically healthy, you have realistic expectations, and you do not smoke.

ANATOMY OF THE ABDOMEN

The abdominal wall consists of skin, fat, and muscle. The rectus abdominis muscles, which form the “six pack” of muscles on the abdomen, are covered by a firm sheath called the rectus fascia. This fascial layer frequently weakens and stretches out with pregnancy and weight gain. As a result, once a patient loses weight or has her children, she may be left with laxity of the abdominal wall. During surgery, the fascial layer over the rectus abdominis muscles is tightened, and the excess skin and fat are removed.

SURGERY STEPS

The abdominoplasty procedure is performed with a horizontal incision in the lower abdomen within the bikini line. In patients who have undergone a prior C-section, the incision can be made in the same location and extended to the sides. The rectus abdominis muscles of the abdomen are tightened, and the excess skin and fat are trimmed and redraped. Most abdominoplasty surgeries require repositioning of the umbilicus, or navel through a second incision. In the “mini” abdominoplasty procedure, lower abdominal muscle tightening with fat and skin removal are performed through a limited horizontal bikini incision only, without repositioning of the navel. The resulting scar is usually low on the abdomen, and therefore can be concealed within most bathing suits and clothing. Small drain tubes are placed with both techniques.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

Liposuction is sometimes performed in conjunction with tummy tuck surgery to contour the flanks. Some patients wish to undergo simultaneous breast surgery to lift, add volume, or both. The combination of tummy tuck surgery and breast augmentation or lift surgery is commonly referred to as a “mommy makeover” procedure.

Additional procedures incur additional operating time, anesthesia, and surgical risks.

SURGERY AND ANESTHESIA

The surgery lasts 2 – 2.5 hours, and is performed under general anesthesia. Many patients worry about the risk of general anesthesia, but it is very safe and it assures that you will be completely comfortable during surgery. Prior to surgery you will be required to obtain medical photographs, routine bloodwork, and in some cases preoperative clearance. The evening prior to surgery, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight. This ensures that you will have an empty stomach prior to surgery, which is very important for your anesthesiologist to care for you safely. You will need to have a responsible adult available to escort you home after surgery.

RECOVERY

Following surgery, you will awaken in the recovery area. Once you are fully alert, you will be transported to the stepdown area where you will be given something to drink and the to eat. You will have two drains and a surgical garment placed at the conclusion of the procedure. The nurses in the recovery area will demonstrate how to empty and record the output from your drains. A responsible adult will need to be available to escort you home.

Patients are seen in the office 3 or 4 days following surgery. At that time your drains will be removed and you will be replaced into your surgical garment. Most sutures placed will dissolve on their own. The surgical garment should be worn for the following 4 weeks

Walking is permitted the day after surgery, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting are limited until four weeks following surgery. Most patients do not complain of severe pain following this surgery, but note that the abdomen feels “tight”, as if they have performed many sit-ups. Pain medication is prescribed for any discomfort. Swelling will be present for the initial 2-3 months after surgery, and the final results are typically seen 3-6 months after surgery. The scar will continue to fade and soften for up to one year following surgery, although it will never completely disappear.

WHAT A TUMMY TUCK CANNOT DO

A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise. If you have ongoing weight loss, or are planning to become pregnant, you should delay your surgery. A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, but it will remove the skin beneath the umbilicus. Stretch marks above this level some- times appear lighter after surgery, but they will not disappear.

Things to Know if You’re Thinking About Trying Dermal Fillers

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 8 January 2020

Dermal fillers are injectable gels that are usually made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that attracts and binds water in the skin. A treatment will fill in wrinkles and provide volume to the soft tissues, helping to give your skin a more full and youthful appearance well after your body stops producing collagen. Dermal fillers have grown in popularity over the last few years due to their ability as both volume enhancers and wrinkle fillers. They’re usually used on the lips, cheeks and under the eyes, often with amazing, age-defying results. At around the age of 25, the body stops producing collagen and elastin. These two proteins work together to keep tissue firm and skin elastic. Without them, the body isn’t able to keep tissue strong and skin supple. It’s this that causes the typical signs of aging to start appearing, including lines and wrinkles, sunken cheeks and a loss of elasticity in the skin.

How do Dermal Fillers work?

Generally, injecting dermal fillers into the skin causes plumping of that area which helps smooth wrinkles, enhance definition and volumise the face. However, different types of filler can be used for different results and in different areas.

When it comes to treating facial volume loss (like sagging cheeks), a professional will typically use a thicker dermal filler that can provide effective support for the cheeks. Plumping or removing lines from lips, on the other hand, requires a much thinner dermal filler as the skin around that area is thinner.

While dermal fillers are often used alongside treatments like Botox, they actually work quite differently. Botox prevents movement of the small muscles that contribute to wrinkles. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, create additional plumping beneath the wrinkle, smoothing it out and restoring its youthful appearance. The combination of using Botox alongside Dermal fillers can result in amazing looking results which is why they are frequently used together.

Where are Dermal Fillers usually used?

Dermal fillers can be used to achieve a variety of results in different areas of the face. They are usually used in three main areas to achieve the following:

AROUND THE EYES:

Reduce under eye bags and dark circles

Soften fine lines and crow’s feet

MID FACE AREA:

Smooth accordion lines (the fine lines that creep up the sides of the face towards the cheekbones) and folds

Add volume to the cheek area affected by gravity and age

LOWER FACE AREA:

Smooth a “gummy smile” above the lips

Reduce the appearance of vertical lines above the lip

Add volume to the nasolabial folds around the mouth

Correct the downturned corners of the mouth

Stop the jawline from sagging

Plump and reduce chin creases

How long do Dermal Fillers last?

Depending on the type of hyaluronic acid used, Dermal fillers can last anywhere between 6 to 18 months. This may also vary from person to person depending on how well it’s suited to the purpose and individual. There are many different brands of hyaluronic acid on the market, some of which you might recognise, including Juvederm®, Belotero® and Restylane®. It can be difficult to know which dermal filler is right for you so be sure to ask your practitioner for advice on the right choice for you.

Things to know before your Dermal Fillers treatment

Dermal fillers are incredibly safe, and allergic reactions are extremely rare, so long as your treatment is carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional. Before getting dermal filler treatment there are a few simple steps you can carry out to ensure your treatment is as successful as possible.

Try and avoid any product containing aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s Wort and any dietary supplements that include ginko, garlic, primrose oil and ginseng for 2 weeks prior to your treatment.

Avoid ibuprofen, Aleve, fish oil, alcohol and any product that can thin your blood for 2 days prior to your treatment.

Remove all makeup and wash your face before the treatment to avoid skin irritation.

Are there any side effects of dermal fillers?

After having dermal filler treatment, you may notice some common side effects in and around the treated area. These can include:

Redness

Swelling

Bruising

Pain and discomfort

Using a trained and experienced practitioner can help to minimise these side effects. Taking the right kind of supplements may also help but you should check with your practitioner before taking anything. Here are a list of suggested do’s and don’ts to help minimise any negative after effects of your treatment.

Using a calming agent like chamomile or taking Bromelain and Turmeric together can help to reduce the skin redness, swelling, tenderness, and/or itchiness that are common after dermal filler treatment. If your symptoms last longer than 3 days be sure to speak to your practitioner.

Bruising is also fairly common, although this should go away within a few days. To help speed up the process you can use Arnica to help reduce bruising and swelling.

Do not massage the treated areas as this can cause the filler to move, resulting in an uneven look and feel.

Avoid applying heat to the treated area until any bruising or swelling has gone away. You should also try and avoid any activities that might cause you to blush or get red faced. Exercising, consuming alcohol, going in the sauna or using a sun bed should all be avoided. No skiing or mountain climbing in very cold temperatures either.

Regular washing and showering is fine as long as you’re using gentle cleansers and moisturisers. Makeup and sunscreen should also be fine to use as long as they are applied gently.

Are dermal fillers right for you?

The most important thing to do before going ahead with a dermal filler treatment is to do your research. Firstly, think about what you want to achieve from the treatment. This will help you and your practitioner to narrow down the type of filler you’ll want to use and ensure your treatment resolves your primary concerns.

Secondly, set a strict budget for your treatment. Many treatments are only fully effective with multiple treatments or a combination of dermal fillers and botox. It’s important to be aware of this so that you aren’t left disappointed by a half effective course of treatment. You should also be wary of practitioners offering a cheap service. These treatments, when carried out by an experienced, qualified practitioner, should not be cheap. If someone is offering you a treatment for a lot less than other practitioners it may reflect the quality of the practitioner, product or clinic. With Dermal fillers, you get what you pay for. So if you’re looking for a high quality treatment with minimal side effects, you’ll need to pay for it.

Finally, once you think you’ve found the treatment and practitioner to suit you, make sure you meet them, ask questions and feel comfortable having them treat you. There should be no pressure put on you to get a treatment done right away or use any products that you haven’t specifically requested. Dermal fillers are safe and effective as long as you select a provider who will make every effort to minimise risk, work with you to address your concerns and follow up to ensure that you are well and satisfied, so make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

The Benefits of J-Plasma Skin Tightening & Body Contouring

Aesthetic Medicine Dubai | 7 January 2020

J-Plasma body contouring and skin tightening is a revolutionary new minimally invasive procedure that both tightens and contours lax skin anywhere on the body. This is accomplished this by means of special device that delivers “helium plasma’’ energy through tiny incisions to the undersurface of the skin in those areas to be tightened. J-Plasma can be done as a stand-alone procedure or as is more often the case, in conjunction with liposuction. The combination of fat removal with liposuction followed by skin tightening by J-Plasma yields dramatic improvements to body contours that were previously unobtainable.

This body lift procedure may involve the use of local anesthesia and oral sedation to ensure that the patient remains comfortable. People seeking a more contoured and firmer body may find the J-Plasma Renuvion treatment to be highly beneficial. The procedure involves minimal downtime and discomfort to lift and tighten lax tissue.

Treatment Area

J-Plasma powered Renuvion body lift can firm and contour the below mentioned areas very effectively:

Upper arms

Abdomen

Flanks

Upper and lower back

Chest

Plasma Energy

The Renuvion body lift and skin tightening involve the use of a specialized device to target cold plasma energy to the treatment site. This cold plasma is produced by ionizing helium gas with RF energy. Helium is a highly stable gas which can be energized at very low levels of energy enabling this treatment to be targeted, safe, and effective. As cold plasma is not heat-based like lasers, the procedure involves minimal risk of injury to the treated tissues. These cold plasma characteristics make it an ideal treatment for patients who desire body contouring with minimal discomfort, downtime, and risks.

Suitable Candidates

Renuvion body lift and skin tightening procedure is a suitable treatment for individuals with mild to moderate sagging skin. A person can develop loose skin and uneven contours due to major weight loss or aging. In addition, it is ideal for people who have undergone liposuction or another non-surgical body sculpting procedure in the past and are seeking further contouring, toning, and tightening.

Procedure

The time taken to complete this procedure is between one to two hours. The patient will be administered local anaesthesia to numb the treatment areas. Subsequently, the Renuvion provider will place tiny incisions on the affected sites. They will use these incisions to apply the Renuvion device on the skin’s under surface to deliver cold plasma energy to the tissue layers being treated. This will immediately constrict, tighten, and firm the tissue from inside out. Patients will instantly notice the treatment benefits, and the effects will continually enhance over time. The cold plasma energy will prompt the production of new collagen fibers for fuller, smoother skin and longer lasting outcomes.

A majority of patients can resume their routine activities in around two to three days following the procedure. In around three weeks, they can restart exercising as well. The treatment provider may prescribe some pain medicines to help the patient remain comfortable during the initial recovery phase.

Four tips for a healthy recovery after a breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation Dubai| 5 January 2020

With an experienced plastic surgeon by your side, you can expect your breast augmentation recovery to go smoothly and quickly. In fact, many women are back to work and routine activities in three to five days. However, an easy recovery will depend on several factors, including how prepared you are to pamper yourself during those first vital days. Keep in mind these four tips for a healthy recovery following your breast augmentation.

Plan for assistance – While breast augmentation recovery is not extremely difficult, you will have just undergone major surgery. Therefore, for the first few days, you will be sore and tired. For six weeks, you should not do any heavy lifting, and this includes picking up children under 20 pounds. Plus, no driving until you are finished with all narcotic pain medications. It is recommended that you schedule assistance with household chores and with the children for the first 24 to 72 hours. Even just having a friend stop by each day to check in on you will be helpful.

Proper pain management – It is common to experience mild to moderate discomfort immediately after a breast augmentation procedure. Some women will feel pressure and tightness across their chest. Your doctor will prescribe a few days of pain medication to help you make it comfortably through the early recovery. However, many women find that after the first post-op day, they need nothing more than over-the-counter pain medications. Fill your prescriptions prior to the day of your breast augmentation, so that if you get home to find that you need pain or anti-nauseous medications, they are close at hand.

Get plenty of rest and sleep – Getting enough rest during your breast augmentation recovery sounds simple, but for some people, this is easier said than done. Make sure you have a quiet room set aside, as well as a comfortable bed to rest in, for the first few days. Have plenty of pillows, so you can prop yourself up at a comfortable angle. Some movies, books and magazines will help pass the time. You will be walking immediately after surgery, slowly regaining your strength. Just remember to listen to your body, getting plenty of sleep and relaxation, as you heal.

Have plenty of light, healthy foods and water at home – Before heading to the clinic for your breast augmentation, stock your kitchen with easy to prepare food and plenty of water. For the first post-op day, you may be nauseous from the anesthesia or not have much of an appetite, so soft, light foods are best. Make sure you have a healthy variety of foods on hand, to give your body energy and strength to heal over the following week. It is easy to become dehydrated during this time period, so drink water, water and more water.

Removing Excess Tummy Fat

Tummy Tuck Dubai | 3 January 2020

A firm, flat abdomen is a hallmark of a beautiful body contour. A tummy tuck, personalized to your needs, can help you improve your abdominal shape for years to come. A tummy tuck tightens and reshapes the abdominal area, helping to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing, slimmer overall appearance. Having a flatter, firmer midsection can dramatically improve the way clothing fits and looks, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in your body.

During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess, sagging skin is eliminated, correcting a protruding belly and leaving the midsection flatter and better toned. Tummy tucks are popular procedure for men and women, particularly those whose bodies have undergone dramatic changes from weight loss or pregnancy.

Who Might Benefit from a Tummy Tuck?

The decision to have any cosmetic procedure is personal, and patients choose to have tummy tucks for a variety of reasons. The best candidates are at or near their ideal body weight, are non-smokers in good health, and have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve for them. If any of the following describe you, a tummy tuck is an option to consider:

– Diet & exercise have helped you lose weight, but your abdomen still protrudes and lacks tone.

– Your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and sagging following pregnancy.

– After losing significant amounts of weight, you now have loose, excess skin hanging around your belly.

– You have always had a belly that “sticks out,” even though you are in very good shape.

– A tummy tuck can help patients in any of these situations address what they don’t like about their shape and achieve a firmer, flatter abdomen.

Types of Tummy Tucks

No two patients start with identical concerns, nor will any two patients share the exact same goals. I will recommend the type of tummy tuck that will achieve your desired outcome and create natural-appearing results with the least scarring possible.

Mini-Tummy Tuck: Improves the Lower Belly with Less Extensive Surgery

Are you mainly bothered by a “pooch” or loose skin and stretch marks below the belly button? A mini-tummy tuck may be a good option for you. This technique involves a single incision made just above the pubic mound, through which your cosmetic surgeon will tighten loose muscles (flattening the “pooch”) and remove excess skin to restore a smooth, flat abdominal wall.

The resulting scar from a mini-tummy tuck is a thin, horizontal line that is typically just a few inches long. Benefits of a mini-tummy tuck include a shorter, less involved procedure, a quicker recovery, and a flatter, slimmer lower abdomen that looks better in swimsuits and fitted clothing.

Classic or “Full” Tummy Tuck: Improves the Upper & Lower Abdomen

Are you bothered by roundness and/or excess skin folds above and below your belly button? A full tummy tuck, which addresses the full length of the abdominal wall, may yield the best results. Through a horizontal or U-shaped incision, made above the pubic mound, I will remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. In some cases, a second incision is made around the navel to address excess skin above the belly button and achieve the most natural looking results.

The resulting scar from a full tummy tuck looks similar to that for a mini-tummy tuck, but will typically be longer, running from hip bone to hip bone. Even so, a full tummy tuck scar can usually be hidden beneath a swimsuit bottom. Benefits of a full tummy tuck include a much flatter, smoother abdomen, reduced appearance of stretch marks, and enhanced comfort in pants and skirts. You will also find that form-fitting dresses and swimsuits have a more flattering fit.

Extended Tummy Tuck: Improves the Upper & Lower Abdomen and Flanks

Have you lost a lot of weight and now have excess, sagging skin hanging around the front half of your body? Or, have you noticed significant laxity in your abdominal muscles following multiple pregnancies? An extended tummy tuck may be the best option to address your concerns. Although it involves a longer incision, an extended tummy tuck removes excess, hanging skin from the front (upper and lower abdomen) and the flanks, as well as tightens the abdominal wall.

The resulting scar from an extended tummy tuck can often be hidden by clothing, including many swimsuits, but it may not be entirely covered for some patients. Even so, many patients consider some visible scarring a worthwhile price for a much improved body shape.

Look Younger Without Surgery

Fillers in Dubai | 2 January 2020

We’ve all been there before: You’re standing in front of the mirror, obsessing over each line and sun spot and wondering when they all appeared.

Today more people are turning to gentler new ways to get a younger look, with incredible results. Fresh, smooth, glowing skin – it’s on every woman’s wish list. And those in the know are finding clever new ways to achieve a brighter. more youthful look, without the kind of bashing and bruising so often associated with a face-lift.

Face-lifts are reportedly falling out of favour even in the U.S, and off the list of the top five requested treatments. Instead, women are increasingly seeking out gentler, non-invasive and less expensive treatments which, while perhaps not as dramatic or permanent in their results, can still help us to present a fresh, radiant new face to the world.

Dermal Fillers Treatment

Prior to any filler treatment, I always invite my clients in for a consultation to ensure we find the best treatment to achieve results suitable for you. Dermal Fillers, made from Hyaluronic Acid, are the most popular volume enhancing treatments and are often used to reduce facial lines and to restore plumpness and volume to the lips and cheeks, defining the shape of your face. Producing safe, long-lasting and natural looking results, dermal fillers are a safe and effective cosmetic treatment when administered by a qualified practitioner.

There are many dermal fillers on the market that are substandard in terms of ingredients and quality. I use only the highest quality brand of temporary fillers renowned for their superior standards.

Lip Augmentation Fillers

For those who are unhappy with the shape or size of their lips, temporary Dermal Fillers can provide an effective volume enhancing solution that keeps them feeling soft and natural. A common complaint by many of my patients is that they dislike how thin their lips look. Instead of lining the lips and creating a distorted result, we enhance your lips’ natural pattern to give them an overall pleasing and full appearance.

Tear Trough Fillers

By injecting Dermal Fillers into the tear trough – which extends from your eye to divide your cheek from your lower eyelid – the area can be made to look less hollow while subtly easing dark circles under the eyes. Tear Trough procedures treatments are very specialised and require an experienced hand to perform them, especially since the treatment may not be suitable for everyone. The area under the eyes is assessed before treatment and I will advise you on whether this is an effective treatment for your case. Those who are eligible will benefit from a fuller and brighter expression that will leave your face looking fresh and rejuvenated.

Cheek Fillers (achieve a fuller cheek bone, higher cheek done look or to lift the sagging face)

Dermal Fillers can be injected along the contour of the cheek bone to help achieve a more defined appearance to the cheek bone. Volume is often lost from the cheeks due to ageing or weight loss and can cause sagging, restoring these areas are a great way to rejuvenate your face.

Nose to Mouth Lines (Nasolabial folds)

As we talk, smile, smoke or kiss it can cause the muscles around our mouth to crease and over a long period of time these lines may become more prominent and permanent. The ageing process also causes our production of natural collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin to reduce causing lines and wrinkles to appear. Dermal Filler can be used to plump up and fill out the lines and folds that have been created in the Nasolabial folds as well as the mouth folds, marionette lines and drooping mouth corners to achieve a more rejuvenated and fresher face look.

Non Surgical Rhinoplasty

I also offer a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty treatment which is achieved with the use of fillers.

Dermal Fillers Results

Lines and wrinkles are smoothed out and the skin appears plumper and younger. Areas lacking in volume and shape now have more definition, with a fuller appearance.

Downtime

None. You can go back to work immediately after your treatment and you can apply make-up over the treated area.

WHAT CAN DERMAL FILLERS TREAT?

Fillers in Dubai | 31 December 2019

These days, dermal fillers have become extremely popular for facial rejuvenation without the need for surgery or recovery time.

WHAT CAN DERMAL FILLERS TREAT?

Dermal fillers are generally used for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, and for adding volume and fullness to skin beginning to suffer from volume loss. Dermal fillers can also be used for cheek and chin augmentation.

When performed by an expert with experience using dermal fillers, these treatments can be extraordinarily natural-looking. Most men and women don’t necessarily want to look as if they have had work done, so strategic dermal filler placement is ideal for someone who just wants to soften their lines and take a few years off their face.

One of the main draws for dermal filler treatments is that they require no recovery time. The actual procedure can be done in as little as ten minutes, depending on how many areas are to be treated, and the patient is then free to resume their daily activities and go back to work immediately. The potential side effects of dermal fillers when administered professionally are very minimal, just redness or swelling around the injection site. If this happens, it usually disappears within a few hours or a day, and can be covered easily with makeup. Bruising is another potential side effect, but these can generally be avoided by following your dermatologist’s instructions before coming in for your appointment.

BENEFITS OF DERMAL FILLERS

1. Immediate Results and No Downtime

One of the biggest benefits of using dermal fillers? They provide immediate results. Once you undergo a filler injection, you will notice your appearance transform soon thereafter. On top of this, you don’t have to worry about recovery time like you would following plastic surgery. In fact, you can complete the filler treatment in just 10 minutes depending on the number of areas needing treatment. Then, you’re free to continue your daily errands or even go back to work. In fact, a filler treatment is sometimes described as a “lunchtime facelift.” Talk about a life-changing lunch break.

The side effects you may experience as a result of your filler treatment are minimal. Just a little swelling or redness near your injection site is normal. Even then, this swelling and redness should disappear within several hours or one day. In the meantime, you can simply cover it up with makeup.

You may more commonly experience bruising, but you can typically avoid this by following my instructions prior to your filler treatment appointment.

2. Long-Lasting Effects

Yet another benefit of fillers is the lasting results you’ll enjoy after getting them. In the majority of cases, you’ll stay looking more youthful and beautiful for about one year. However, you might want to go in for a quick touch-up appointment in four to six months following your initial treatment. It’s in your best interest to maintain your filler results. You can do this simply by scheduling your next treatment before your filler has had the chance to metabolize completely.

3. Beneficial for the Skin

Most fillers feature a natural skin component that help the skin – a major plus for patients interested in getting filler injections. Hyaluronic acid present in fillers are naturally occurring substances in the skin. Thus, when they are injected, they’ll feel natural beneath your skin. It’s just another reason to love the skin you’re in after you get a filler treatment.

4. Subtle Results

If you choose to receive dermal fillers, you’ll also love how subtle and natural looking the results are. That’s exactly what you want if you’re like most patients. After all, who honestly wants to look like a totally different individual after the treatment than he or she was before it? You simply want to be the best version of yourself. With dermal fillers, the majority of people won’t even know what you had done. All they’ll notice is that you look amazing.

5. Self-Confidence Builder

People who receive dermal fillers generally improve their self-confidence following their treatment. They simply love how their fillers look and feel. At the hands of an experienced aesthetic practitioner, you can achieve amazing natural looking results and love how you look like never before.

6. Plumpness

As you grow older, your skin will lose collagen and fat. In other words, you’ll lose your youthful plumpness. Replacing the young, healthy look you’ve become accustomed to will be a hollowed-out look and more blatantly obvious wrinkles – clear signs of advancing age. Fortunately, fillers help to counteract these problems by making your skin plumper. In the end, you’ll end up with fuller-looking cheeks as well as fewer facial wrinkles – You can’t beat that.

7. Botox Complements Them

Another perk of using fillers? Botox complements fillers perfectly! As you get fillers, you might notice that a few of the wrinkles on your face are particularly deep – especially those on your forehead and glabella. Or maybe you notice vertical lip lines near your mouth. In these situations, you may want to receive a Botox or Dysport treament. This product will temporarily reduce the muscle activity responsible for your deep wrinkles and frown lines. It’s perfect for tackling those lines and wrinkles that dermal fillers won’t eliminate. With the powerful combination of fillers and Botox or Dysport, you may be able to delay or even avoid surgery, such as a facelift, down the road.

8. Good for Your Lips

Of course, fillers aren’t just good for filling in wrinkles and cheeks. Fillers can work wonders for your lips. Tired of thin lips? Fillers can make your lips look plumper and sexier. At the same time, it’ll soften the appearance of annoying wrinkles around the mouth. With dermal fillers, you can finally stop feeling self-conscious when it comes to your lips. In fact, your lips just might become your favorite feature. Just be sure to get lip fillers with an experienced aesthetic practitioner to ensure yourself an experience that is safe and that yields natural looking results.

9. Say Goodbye to Scars

A major advantage of springing for fillers is that they can improve the appearance of scars. This is a big deal if you’ve spent years applying makeup to hide unsightly scars as a result of acne, for example. Your practitioner can help you to determine if dermal fillers are an option for treating certain scars.

10. Boost Your Collagen

Last but not least, biostimulatory fillers, like Radiesse and Sculptra will stimulate the body’s natural collagen. A major reason that your skin ages as you get older is that collagen production declines. This is accelerated if someone has a lot of sun damage. Collagen is one of your skin’s essential building blocks. When collagen ends up breaking down, the signs of aging is more apperant. This includes having coarse skin texture and wrinkles.

Dermal fillers, however, can help your body stimulate more of its own collagen, just as a younger individual’s skin does. This translates to the younger, healthier-looking skin you’re after – in a natural way.

PRP Therapy for Skin Rejuvenation

Aesthetic Medicine Dubai | 24 December 2019

Cosmetic PRP Therapy Treatment is an effective treatment for several conditions and has been successfully used to improve skin and hair conditions. I provide the following PRP treatments: PRP hair regeneration and PRP skin rejuvenation. PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma therapy is not for everyone. Certain medical conditions and use of certain medications may make your platelets less effective.

WHAT IS PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is obtained from your blood and injected into your tissue wherever tissue regeneration is needed. Over the last decade, autologous PRP has been successfully and extensively used in sports medicine to regenerate tendon injuries, muscle injuries, worn out cartilage in aging joints; in general surgery to promote faster healing of large surgical scars and in the field of cosmetic and anti-aging medicine for skin rejuvenation and hair regeneration.

Autologous PRP provides a safe and very effective regenerative treatment option but unfortunately not everyone is a candidate for PRP cosmetic regenerative treatments. Below are some of the absolute and relative contraindications to PRP treatments:

Absolute Contraindications to PRP Regenerative Therapy:

Platelet dysfunction syndrome

Critical thrombocytopenia – very low platelet count

Hemodynamic instability – very low blood pressure

Septicemia or local infection to injection site

Relative Contraindications to PRP Regenerative Therapy

Aspirin and other NSAIDs use within one week of the PRP therapy.

Corticosteroid injection at treatment site (1 month)

Systemic use of corticosteroids (2 weeks)

Cancers (hematopoetic-blood or bone)

HGB < 10g/dl or platelet count < 105/ul

I do not want you to stop taking your aspirin or blood thinner medication if you are taking these medications for heart condition and for stroke prevention. If you are taking any of the medications for a serious medical illness, you will need to pause the medications under your physician’s care and obtain a medical clearance letter before your PRP therapy.

Cosmetic PRP Therapy Treatment harnesses the healing ability of your blood to regenerate healthy new tissue in the treatment area for natural improvement of common skin concerns and thinning hair.

CLINICAL RESEARCH ON PRP TREATMENT EFFICACY FOR SKIN AND THINNING HAIR

Platelet Rich Plasma is obtained by processing your blood in a centrifuge to get a concentrated mixture of your platelets. Platelets are small cells in your blood that are responsible for your body’s healing response to injury. Upon any injury, your platelets release a minimum of eight growth factors which initiate a cascade of events leading to regeneration of healthy tissue to repair the injured area. High-quality PRP leads to the appropriate growth factor release which results in healthy tissue regeneration for rejuvenated skin and thicker hair when injected in these sites.

PRP THERAPY FOR SKIN

Cosmetic regenerative PRP therapy provides growth factors from your own blood to optimize your wound healing and is used for several non-surgical cosmetic skin treatments to enhance the results of your cosmetic skin treatment. I love the natural results from regenerative PRP skin treatments for improvement of several common cosmetic skin problems such as; skin aging, acne and other scars, stretch marks, melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders. I often combine your PRP with different types of skin treatments specific to your needs to help you achieve your personal best for your skin needs.

PRP SKIN SURFACE REJUVENATION AND PHOTODAMAGE REPAIR

PRP injection into the dermis (middle layer of skin) and application of PRP topically with Micropen microneedling skin treatment may improve skin surface aging, fine lines, pigmentation, texture and skin tone.

PRP SKIN TIGHTENING AND PRP DEEP WRINKLE REDUCTION

To address the signs of deeper skin aging such loss of skin elasticity, deep wrinkles and folds, which present as jowls, sagging of the eyelids, sagging of the skin below the chin, deep nasolabial folds and so forth, I recommend a deeper skin tightening and collagen building treatment. The injection of PRP into the dermis and application of PRP topically with the MFR skin treatment can improve skin tightness, build collagen to lessen the appearance of deep wrinkles, deep folds, jowls, tighten the neck skin and lift the eyelids.

PRP WITH DERMAL FILLERS FOR VOLUME ENHANCEMENT

For areas with mild to moderate volume loss below the skin such as the age-related thinning of the back of hands, deep under-eye circles and loss of facial volume, PRP injections below the dermis can be combined with a dermal filler for volume replenishment. The advantage of PRP is that the regenerative response of your body leads to an improvement in the skin texture, firmness and tightness with healthy new tissue along with the volume that is replenished with the dermal filler. I see this effect most noticeable in the under eye area.

PRP STRETCH MARK TREATMENT

Stretch marks are common in women and men of all ages. Stretch marks can present on many areas of the body such as tummy, thighs, buttocks etc due to a rapid increase in size such as rapid growth during puberty, increase in size during pregnancy and with a sizable weight gain. Stretch marks are like dermal scars in many ways and can be reduced in the same way as dermal scars. best treatment results are achieved with early intervention. For most individuals with stretch marks, I recommend a series of 3-5 treatments with PRP injection and PRP topical application with one or two of the microneedling sessions.

HOW IS THE REGENERATIVE PRP SKIN THERAPY DONE?

Treatment with PRP can be completed in less than 30 minutes. When you arrive, a small vial of blood is drawn, similar to the volume required for routine blood work. The blood is then spin in a centrifuge to separate the growth factors, and platelets from the rest of the blood. Once this unique mixture is obtained, it can be injected directly into the targeted areas or applied through micro needling.

Before your Cosmetic PRP Therapy, you will have a thorough consultation where I will evaluate your medical history for appropriateness of the cosmetic PRP treatments and discuss your goals and expectations for the treatment.

PRP HAIR LOSS THERAPY

PRP hair loss therapy is an effective treatment option for increasing hair density in individuals with certain types of hair loss disorders*

PRP hair loss therapy alone is effective in improving hair density and quality when injected into the scalp of men and women with early and mild androgenic alopecia and with telogen effluvium (after correcting the triggers of telogen effluvium). PRP hair loss therapy is effective in increasing hair density and hair quality in individuals with more advanced androgenic alopecia and androgenic alopecia lasting longer than 5 years. PRP hair loss therapy alone does not lead to hair regeneration in individuals with advanced hair loss with scarring and those with complete loss of hair follicles.

*Individual results vary with genetic, hormonal, environmental and other influences

 

Lif Fillers: WHAT TO EXPECT

Fillers in Dubai | 22 December 2019

Full lips have always been associated with youth and beauty. Because of this, lip enhancement is one of the most frequently requested procedures in a cosmetic practice. The objective in treating the upper lip is to artistically create a form that harmonizes with the patient’s unique facial features and takes into account the age and ethnic background of the patient. The goal in treating the lower lip is to create bulk and greater prominence and artistic projection of the vermilion. The physician must establish appropriate guidelines and patient expectations for augmentation relative to normal lip proportions in order to avoid a cartoon-like appearance.

Any physician performing lip augmentation should recognize that temporary fillers can cause permanent stimulatory effects in tissues.After 2 or 3 sessions of lip augmentation, full correction may be obtained and persist indefinitely. Patients may return for additional filler merely because a certain amount of time has elapsed since their last injection, but the physician must evaluate the proportions of the lips to truly determine if additional filler is warranted. It is helpful to have a hand mirror for the patient to observe her lip proportions as the doctor seeks to determine whether more filler is needed. It is also beneficial to show the patient her lips from the lateral view; digital photography is extremely useful in this regard.

THE PROCEDURE

It’s important to see your box of injectables opened in front of you and to be sure only your dermatologist or plastic surgeon is doing the injections. Avoid blood thinners, like aspirin and fish oil, for at least a day beforehand, which can increase bruising. If you opt for numbing cream, expect it to be placed on the lips for approximately 10 minutes. The lips absorb quickly and do not require lengthy topical anaesthesia. Then, the skin surface should be cleansed properly and then injections are performed. Your doctor should go very slowly, often pausing to show you the progress that he or she is making. There is a real balance and art to it, I find that you really need to go little by little, so you normally inject the top lip first, balance it out on the other side, then inject the bottom lip. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. What you see is what you get, you’re not waiting for it to work, like Botox.

Some doctors will gently mould the filler with their fingers after it is injected by squeezing and patting it into place, while others aim to inject it exactly where they want it and avoid moulding, since it can increase bruising and swelling. Based on my extensive experience, there is no single stance on moulding – it’s a technique that some like, while others do it sparingly.

Your doctor should let you chime in along the way and help decide whether or not to add more or stop. I even recommend my patients go lighter than they think they may want, live with it for a week, and then decide whether or not to do more. “It’s best to start with baby steps.

After the injections, ice packs are applied. That evening, I suggest patients sleep on two pillows to decrease swelling. Use ice sparingly at home (getting the H.A. too cold or hot can prevent it from settling properly) and ask your doctor if additional anti-swelling measures are right for you, like oral antihistamines, pain relievers, or topical corticosteroids.

The entire procedure should take under 30 minutes.

NATURAL RATIO

It’s no secret that some lip augmentations look incredibly natural and some look not so incredibly natural. This is partially because of the size that you and your doctor select, but it goes deeper than that. The fact of the matter is that some doctors have a better feel for nuance and aesthetics than others.

It’s something you have to have an appreciation for, to get the proportions right for each person. There is a lot more artistry to injecting lips than just injecting a wrinkle or a line. That is another reason why the consultation is so important. I show actual before and afters of my patients, so that everyone has a realistic expectation for the type of filler I do.

Selecting where, and at what volume, to inject the lips is also an important decision to make in the consultation. The lips are supposed to be filled in a natural ratio, where the upper lip is approximately 2/3 the size of the lower lip.

That means that sometimes, only one lip needs to be filled, sometimes both, and often at different volumes, since not everyone’s pout is symmetrical. Where to inject is also a delicate matter. The lips can be injected into the skin surrounding the lips (to define the Cupid’s bow, for example), into the lips (for fullness), and into the lipline (for definition). It’s like sculpting.

Creating Philtrum Columns

Sculpted philtrum columns are in style today. As we age, these well-defined longitudinal pillars are lost, leading to a flattened, ill-defined, unattractive upper lip. If the patient still has discernible philtrum columns, the object is to further enhance them. If the philtrum columns have been completely effaced, it is imperative to re-create them. This is accomplished by superficial vertical injection of filler into each philtrum column. It is important to realize that the philtrum columns are not parallel to each other, but rather they form an inverted “V” that narrows as it approaches the nostril sills and columella of the nose.

Creating Cupid’s Bow

The pouty, Cupid’s bow appearance of the central portion of the upper lip is considered sexy, desirable, and very much in fashion today.

Creating Lower Lip “Pillows” or Tubercles on Each Side of the Midline

Here I ask the patient to evert the lower lip. I deposit approximately ~0.1 cc of filler as a depot injection into the orbicularis oris muscle at the vermilion-mucosal junction on each side of the midline. The depot injection is about one third of the distance from the midline to the oral commissure. This is gently massaged to prevent superficial lumpiness.

Supporting or Bolstering the Oral Commissures

Placing a small amount of filler in the most lateral aspect of the cutaneous lower lip so as to provide upward support to the commissures. Injectable neuromodulating agents (botulinum toxin A) placed into the depressor anguli oris muscles can be used as an adjunct to further elevate the commissures. This combines structural support with chemical neuromodulation to shape the oral commissures.

Filling the Nasolabial Creases

Placing a small amount of filler in the upper portion of the nasolabial crease helps to evert the upper lip. Augmentation lateral to the nasolabial crease only serves to deepen the appearance of the crease.

POST-INJECTION CARE

Cool compresses and ice packs can be used to minimize swelling and bruising. Patients should be advised to avoid ASA, NSAIDs, and other medications associated with an increased risk of bleeding. If anti-HSV I medication was prescribed, it should be continued according to physician recommendation. Because HAs are hydrophilic, they attract water from the surrounding tissues and further augment the soft tissue volume beyond that expected from mere implantation. The significant swelling of the vermilion in the immediate post-operative period may be camouflaged by applying flesh-toned foundation or concealer to the entire vermilion. Lipstick can then be applied to a smaller portion of the vermilion than usual so as to not exaggerate the swelling that may be present.

SELECTING THE RIGHT FILLER

There are a lot of difficult decisions you have to make when it comes to getting lip injections, but fortunately, picking the right filler isn’t one of them. Hyaluronic acid, in a few different forms, is both the industry standard for temporary lip injections and the only temporary lip filler approved by the FDA.

They’re marketed under different brand names – Restylane Silk, Belotero, Juvederm – but they’re all made from the same molecule, which is hyaluronic acid, as you may already know, naturally occurs in skin and is a top ingredient in hydrating skin-care products, since it plumps skin by capturing and holding onto water. Picking which of the formulas is best for you is really up to your doctor. Hyaluronic acid is not only the best option, but the only option for those new to the world of injections, since it will dissolve on its own and is well-tolerated, since it’s already in your body. There are irreversible fillers and implants, but those are not for beginners.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Lips are one of the more uncomfortable places to inject filler. We have a lot of nerves in our lips, so I can do a combination of topical numbing cream and, sometimes, injectable numbing medications, so patients are comfortable. However, many of the H.A. injectables come with lidocaine (a numbing pain reliever) built right in, so some doctors opt out of additional measures.

One, or a combination of the above pain-reducing options, will normally temper the pain of the actual procedure, but you’re likely to experience pain later, since the skin is being stretched. The pain as mild to moderate and notes that it can last for a few days.

SIDE EFFECTS

Any time there is a needle crossing the skin, there is a risk. Bruising, swelling, and pain – all of which can last up to days and in rare cases, even weeks – may occur. There is also the risk of infection. Naturally, this makes it very important to check in with your doctor post-treatment, especially if you’re feeling nervous about side effects.

While hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your body, you can still have an allergic reaction to H.A. injectables, since there are often inactive ingredients (like carrying agents) and pain-reducing ingredients (like lidocaine) in the formula. Those prone to allergies or are just plain nervous can do a patch test on their forearm a few days before the procedure to be sure they won’t have an adverse reaction.

Injecting the lips can prompt cold sores for those who are prone to them, so he normally pretreats those patients with a round of anti-viral medication, like Valtrex.

There are also less common side effects that are important to consider. More rare side effects include nodules or palpable material within the lips – basically bumps of H.A. that don’t settle or feel natural. Extremely rarely, lip filler can be introduced into a blood vessel in the lip, which can have more significant consequences if not dealt with immediately and appropriately.

WHAT TO EXPECT

One of the great things about lip injections is that the results are instantaneous, so you’ll leave the office with fairly accurate (albeit swollen) results. For the first 24 to 48 hours, the filler is malleable and your skin is prone to swelling, which means be gentle! This is noted as the time that your injections need to “settle.” No facials, yoga, or exercise is recommended, which can alter the placement of the filler and increase swelling and bruising.

Lips often swell for one to three days after treatment, but this is highly variable and some patients will experience no swelling and some will have more dramatic swelling that will take longer to subside. Bruising can last approximately one week, but can be covered with makeup or lipstick, as needed. Some doctors will offer to treat more significant bruising with a laser treatment if necessary.

While the average length of time H.A. fillers will last is about six months, it varies for everyone, from around three months to a year. H.A. lasts different lengths, depending on where you put it and how active that body part is. I find that if the labelling says six to 12 months, [patients] normally come back every three to six months.