As we age and the production of the ‘scaffolding’ proteins within our skin starts to reduce. The effects are multiple: the skin experiences laxity, which in turn means that wrinkles are more visible and there is also significant volume loss.
In addition, there is a negative impact on the skin’s appearance in terms of tone and texture. But thankfully, there are a range of injectable treatments that can not only keep these signs of ageing at bay but actually stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to offer skin rejuvenation, leading to increased firmness, improved texture, tone and elasticity and enhanced radiance.
We sat down with Dr Dany Kayle, Founder of Dr Kayle Aesthetic Clinic, which was named Best Aesthetic Clinic in the GCC in February this year, to get the lowdown on injectables and find out why you should never get a permanent filler.
Dr Dany Kayle
Botox
This is a drug that is injected into the muscle itself to paralyze it with the consequence that it diminishes the wrinkles on the skin that overlies that specific muscle. It’s mainly used to soften lines and does this to great effect. In recent years, to avoid the frozen look of the past, Baby Botox has become increasingly popular. This treatment uses tiny doses of Botox. The result is an ‘au natural look, which is very subtle and ensures that you look refreshed and rejuvenated. You can even take it one step further – for example, if the treatment is combined with micro-injections of skin boosters made of antioxidants, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid – to improve, maintain, and protect the skin of the face.
Fillers
Fillers have multiple uses. In the face, they can be used to improve the area around the mouth and enhance the cheeks and the jawline’s definition. The most important thing when it comes to fillers is that you take a slow and steady approach. The most successful filler treatments are when a patient improves on their look while maintaining harmony among the different structures of the face. I always recommend to my patients to place a small amount of filler and then increase it, if required, in subsequent appointments, so the results are as natural as possible.
Temporary fillers are made of crosslinked hyaluronic acid and serve to give volume to the area into which they are injected. These can be used in a very controlled way and are absorbed completely by the body within six to eight months. Most importantly, if the patient doesn’t like the outcome, they can be dissolved using a special enzyme, hyaluronidase.
There are also long-lasting fillers comprising substances such as polylactic acid. This will make the filler last longer because it can’t be absorbed by the body and its role is to stimulate collagen production. I would never, however, advocate their use as once injected, there is no way to remove them or to reduce their volume smoothly and non-invasively.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that there is another alternative to synthetic products, which is their own fat. Amongst experts, fat is the Rolls-Royce of fillers: it is longer lasting, and patients can never react negatively to it as it is their own fat. Fat can be harvested using a small syringe from an area of excess fat in the patient and reused as filler for the same patient. You can upgrade this treatment by transferring stem cells at the same time. This will improve further the area treated and give the face an additional glow on top of volume replenishment.
All fillers have some possible complications. These include infection, hematoma (blood under the skin) and to a lesser extent skin necrosis, which is the death of an area of the skin due to blockage of the artery feeding that area by the filler. The most important sign of the problem will be skin discolouration, happening even in an area remote from the injection site, as well as issues relating to vision.
It is vital that fillers are only done by experienced plastic surgeons or dermatologists as otherwise, you risk not only a poor result but severe and sometimes irreversible complications.
Profhilo
Derived from 100% pure non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, Profhilo is a completely natural injectable that helps to improve the quality of the skin. As we age, skin becomes dull, dry and lacklustre. Profhilo is a treatment that will tackle these problems through effective skin bio-remodelling in just two sessions at a four-week interval and then one maintenance session twice a year.
Specifically targeting a two-centimetre radius of the injection site, there are just five injection points on each side of the face to ensure optimal distribution and absorption of the slow-release Hyaluronic Acid formula.
Unlike fillers, it works to improve the quality of the tissue itself rather than a mere volume replenishment. By injecting into specific anatomical points it can remodel and enhance the skin quality, as well as moisturise and rejuvenate facial skin, thereby restoring its glow and firmness. In essence, this injectable treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to offer skin rejuvenation. Results include increased firmness, improved texture, tone and elasticity and enhanced radiance, with the effects lasting up to 6 months.
One of Profhilo’s biggest advantages is that it distributes smoothly and evenly without the formation of any lumps – a potential risk with traditional fillers. This allows it to be used on areas which are difficult to treat with traditional fillers, such as the neck and forehead but it can also be used for the décolletage, hands, arms, knees and abdomen area.
Profhilo can be used as a stand-alone treatment if the target is to achieve a healthier appearance of the skin, enhance hydration and see a mild lifting effect. However, if volume loss or skin laxity is already advanced, then other modalities such as fillers or energy-based treatments can be done in conjunction with Profhilo.
Words by Dr Dany Kayle, Founder of Dr Kayle Aesthetic Clinic
