Aesthetics MythBusters: Debunking common myths about facial aesthetics treatments

Facial, and latterly body, neck and hand aesthetics treatments are becoming increasingly popular, and with that, it’s common to find circulating horror stories associated with such procedures when researching such treatments online. Unfortunately, it is the tales of negative experiences and preconceived ideas regarding treatment outcomes/results that people tend to remember, especially if the prospective client is nervous and unsure regarding their decision to begin their journey with aesthetics, as it reinforces their prior beliefs and confirms their fears.

Remember, whilst it is the stories of negative outcomes that seem common and tend to stick in the mind, there are several times as many examples of positive outcomes and beautiful, enhancing aesthetics treatments. This is as a result of, and the key to, good aesthetic practice…enhancing and rejuvenating so that the client appears to others to just look really good, more refreshed, but it is not necessarily apparent to others why…

For those curious about and tempted to begin their aesthetics journey, but plagued by certain recurring doubts, our experienced advanced aesthetics practitioner is here to provide clarification, allay your fears and set the record straight…

Myth: Facial aesthetics treatments leave the client looking unnatural/swollen ‘frozen’/expressionless:

Facts: Technically, if a practitioner is unskilled, inexperienced and/or completely overdoes it, the ‘frozen’ or puffy/overdone appearance may result.  Within our aesthetic practice, we believe in creating subtle adjustments to refresh and enhance.  By carefully injecting anti-wrinkle injections into the correct muscles, both the appearance and depth of fine lines are reduced, but the face still moves and creates expression.  Fillers applied skilfully and subtly should create a natural, enhanced result, in-line with the identified treatment objectives and according to best practice. Creating volume can be achieved gradually over time, so the ultimate results are both smooth and natural.  A skilled practitioner will be capable of making subtle changes to achieve a result you feel happy and comfortable with.

Myth: Aesthetics procedures are only for mature skins

Facts: It is a known fact that prevention is better than cure, and this is specifically relatable to anti-wrinkle injections. Not only effective at improving the depth and appearance of lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and between the brows, these injections also help to prevent these ‘mechanical lines’ we use so often, from becoming any worse, or forming in the first place. Hence, we therefore also see patients for this treatment in their late twenties and early thirties.  

Loss of volume traditionally occurs with aging as we begin to lose the key ‘fat pads’ beneath the skin, but can also occur at any age or stage of an individual’s life, for example following pregnancy, significant weight loss, or after anillness.  We use dermal fillers strategically to help to replace that lost volume, giving a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance, cheek filler being an excellent example.

Myth: Aesthetics treatments are just for women

Facts: The male aesthetics market is growing at a continual fast pace, with substantial growth rates over the last few years. According to VMR (Verified Market Research), it is estimated that this market will grow significantly in the forecasted period 2020-2027.  Men are not immune to the aging process, and trends show that men now inhabit a significant section of the health, beauty and wellbeing markets, as increasing importance is given to physical appearance among men. The rise of minimally and non-invasive aesthetic treatments available with minimal post-treatment downtime are being utilised more expansively by men, for example the use of dermal filler to create a more subtly defined chin and jawline, combined with the ever-popular anti-wrinkle injections to improve the fine lines and wrinkles of the upper face, eyes, between brows and forehead.

Myth: Once you’ve started aesthetics treatments you can’t stop – or look worse than before!

Facts: The use of FDA-approved, safe aesthetic treatments in the hands of skilled practitioners will not cause a client to look worse than before they started. The effects of anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are temporary and will ‘wear off’ as the body metabolises the product, anti-wrinkle lasting approximately 3 months, dermal fillers 12-18 months.  With appropriate treatment renewal, the effects of aging can be delayed. Choosing not to continue will result in the skin returning to its baseline condition, before treatment began, but certainly not worse.

Myth: Anti-wrinkle injections are toxic and therefore harmful

Facts: The name of the main substance contained within anti-wrinkle injections, Botulinum toxin, alongside terminology used in association with this ‘neurotoxin’ treatment, ‘paralysing’ the muscles, has most likely led to this incorrect assumption. Botulinum toxin is an acutely poisonous neurotoxin protein when found in nature, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, causing the disease Botulism.  Its key action is to prevent the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing (temporary) paralysis.However, this neurotoxin is safely utilised as an FDA approved aesthetic treatment to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and successfully treat several health conditions such as migraine and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The FDA recommends the dose should not exceed a total of 360IU (international units) in 3 months, with the average dose utilised within one treatment between 8-30IU.

As a prescription-only medication (POM), the use botulinum toxin is well-regulated, and whilst there is the potential for some side effects, these are both minor and rare. When used by qualified, skilled practitioners, as found within our aesthetic practice, these anti-wrinkle injectables are both safe and effective.

Myth: Facial aesthetics procedures require significant downtime after treatment

Facts: The vast majority of facial aesthetic treatments are minimally to non-invasive, can be performed within an hour, with little to no downtime. Most patients undergoing these treatments are able to quickly return to their day-to-day routines without concerns of protracted recovery times and/or visible signs of having undergone an aesthetic procedure.   Treatment side effects are normally mild with little-to-no pain, with little evidence of treatment having taken place.Prior to treatment we advise all our clients to follow pre- and post-treatment guidelines, to further reduce any such effects, taking Arnica systemically, increasing fluid intake and avoiding vigorous exercise.

Myth: One can always tell when someone has had lip fillers – fear of looking ‘over-inflated’

Facts:  With the rise in popularity of lip filler, we are also exposed to more extreme, less natural examples of this treatment, where the use of too much product has led to an unnatural result, and/or possible complications, such as filler migration. While these examples of very obvious lip filler treatment tend to be the ones that stick in the mind, this is not the case often. Unnatural looking fillers and/or any associated complications are normally down to the experience and skill of the practitioner and the technique/s used. Whether having lip filler for the first time, or as a treatment renewal, a thorough consultation should include the aims of the client, alongside a treatment plan in accordance with these aims, detailing a method to achieve the most safe, effective, and aesthetically pleasing result. Less is more, and as previously mentioned, the key to good aesthetics is achieving a subtle, enhancing yet undetectable result, over more than one treatment if necessary. The client looks great, but it isn’t necessarily apparent as to why…    

Always do your research before getting a lip filler or any aesthetic procedure. Have a chat with any potential practitioner, get a feel for them and an insight into their training and experience, ask to see examples of their work and/or search for reviews. A skilled, experiencedpractitioner will be happy to take the time to answer your questions and outline the best treatment plan for you, in order to create an effective yet natural result.  

Look out for the next blog post in which I give a breakdown of the most popular aesthetic treatments, their benefits and selection in relation to your treatment aims, pre-treatmentand aftercare advice, how to choose a practitioner, potential risks and how we as practitioners work to avoid them.

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