Tweakments in focus: Insights from Clinic42 on Non-Invasive Cosmetic Surgery
As demand continues to grow for non-invasive cosmetic procedures like injectables of all kinds, I constantly get asked about what to avoid and what to expect – usually “asking for a friend” – and am completely open about what I think is great and what isn’t. What works and what doesn’t. Who to go to and where isn’t such a great idea if you want a completely bespoke, professional approach. I can only fill in the blanks so much though, so thankfully I’ve got a little extra insight from two members of the incredibly talented team at Clinic42 as to the state of cosmetic enhancements right now, and what you should be looking out for.
Dr Ellen Selkon and Dr Lynn Theron, Directors and practising doctors at Clinic42 (I’ve seen Ellen for a few years and have recommended her to so many people), both emphasise the importance of finding the right injector, commencing with a thorough consultation and committing to cosmeceutical skincare to further enhance their work. Read on if you’re wanting to explore injectables as we head further into 2024…
Do your research (and then more research)
Spend time researching who is out there that you like the sound of, then narrow down your choices in terms of the right injector for you by checking their accreditation, experience, and their work. Dr Ellen says, “The first thing that you should ask is what their experience is in cosmetic medicine. How long have they been doing it and what their training is. Doctors who have the diploma in Cosmetic Medicine have done over 500hours worth of training, compared to some people who just do a weekend course. I would also want to know that if they encountered a potential complication that they were equipped to handle it.”
Dr Lynn adds, “Some treatments are more expensive as they require further advanced training and techniques, are associated with higher risk of complication – for instance, tear trough filler and the risk of blindness. There is no margin for error.”
Get up close and personal
Next, a personalised consultation and a customised treatment plan are key to achieve desired outcomes while maintaining a natural appearance. “Our approach at Clinic42 is rooted in education, ensuring patients are well-informed before embarking on their aesthetic journey,” says Lynn. “It’s best to start with a consultation from an expert in the field. This field has grown very rapidly, and techniques are changing annually. Injectors who are part of accredited organisations will be trained to assess and diagnose what is causing your concerns. They will educate you on the process of change and ageing and provide options available to address these. You can then start your journey together.”
Ellen adds, “A well trained Cosmetic Physician will know what to discuss and offer their patient. I have a large number of patients coming in to discuss jowling and facial sagging and asking for filler to be placed into their jowls. After explaining how anatomy and ageing affects the face, they then have an understanding that what they need is mid face filler and sometimes hardly anything in the lower face. A full facial assessment should be undertaken so that the doctor/nurse and the patient have an understanding of what the issue is and the best way to address it.”
The importance of cosmeceutical skincare
“There is no point in painting a masterpiece on a poor canvas,” says Dr Ellen. “This is where skincare fits in. Active skincare such as Vitamin A , B and C have been scientifically proven to improve skin health and treat blemishes, fine lines and improve cellular turnover.”
Dr Lynn adds, “Cosmeceuticals have come a long way over the past 20 years, with incredible delivery systems that penetrate the skin. New topical growth factor serums, peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen are game changers. All promote collagen synthesis, skin hydration, pigment control and cell communication."
Spend time researching who is out there that you like the sound of, then narrow down your choices in terms of the right injector for you by checking their accreditation, experience, and their work. Dr Ellen says, “The first thing that you should ask is what their experience is in cosmetic medicine. How long have they been doing it and what their training is. Doctors who have the diploma in Cosmetic Medicine have done over 500hours worth of training, compared to some people who just do a weekend course. I would also want to know that if they encountered a potential complication that they were equipped to handle it.”
Dr Lynn adds, “Some treatments are more expensive as they require further advanced training and techniques, are associated with higher risk of complication – for instance, tear trough filler and the risk of blindness. There is no margin for error.”
Get up close and personal
Next, a personalised consultation and a customised treatment plan are key to achieve desired outcomes while maintaining a natural appearance. “Our approach at Clinic42 is rooted in education, ensuring patients are well-informed before embarking on their aesthetic journey,” says Lynn. “It’s best to start with a consultation from an expert in the field. This field has grown very rapidly, and techniques are changing annually. Injectors who are part of accredited organisations will be trained to assess and diagnose what is causing your concerns. They will educate you on the process of change and ageing and provide options available to address these. You can then start your journey together.”
Ellen adds, “A well trained Cosmetic Physician will know what to discuss and offer their patient. I have a large number of patients coming in to discuss jowling and facial sagging and asking for filler to be placed into their jowls. After explaining how anatomy and ageing affects the face, they then have an understanding that what they need is mid face filler and sometimes hardly anything in the lower face. A full facial assessment should be undertaken so that the doctor/nurse and the patient have an understanding of what the issue is and the best way to address it.”
The importance of cosmeceutical skincare
“There is no point in painting a masterpiece on a poor canvas,” says Dr Ellen. “This is where skincare fits in. Active skincare such as Vitamin A , B and C have been scientifically proven to improve skin health and treat blemishes, fine lines and improve cellular turnover.”
Dr Lynn adds, “Cosmeceuticals have come a long way over the past 20 years, with incredible delivery systems that penetrate the skin. New topical growth factor serums, peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen are game changers. All promote collagen synthesis, skin hydration, pigment control and cell communication."
Put simply: skincare supports all the other cosmetic treatments. And of course, an effective SPF of at least 30 is mandatory if you want to preserve your skin health and the signs of ageing.
What if you don’t like what you see?
We’ve all seen the results of bad injectors, the most obvious being when you can actually *see* that work has been done. And overdone. Thankfully, if you don’t like the end result after you’ve had Botulinum Toxin and/or filler treatments or simply want to stop, they do wear off. And you will not look any different from pre-treatment – in fact the area will be rejuvenated and will help to push back the clock. You never go back fully to ground zero, you just age from that time onwards.
In the unfortunate situation (which fortunately is a very rare occurrence) that someone is genuinely unhappy with their results, there are many options. If it is due to fillers, you can dissolve the filler by injecting an enzyme. If it is Botulinum Toxin, it will wear off gradually over a few months. It can also be tweaked if eyebrows seem too high or low, but again, be sure to see a qualified professional.
What if you don’t like what you see?
We’ve all seen the results of bad injectors, the most obvious being when you can actually *see* that work has been done. And overdone. Thankfully, if you don’t like the end result after you’ve had Botulinum Toxin and/or filler treatments or simply want to stop, they do wear off. And you will not look any different from pre-treatment – in fact the area will be rejuvenated and will help to push back the clock. You never go back fully to ground zero, you just age from that time onwards.
In the unfortunate situation (which fortunately is a very rare occurrence) that someone is genuinely unhappy with their results, there are many options. If it is due to fillers, you can dissolve the filler by injecting an enzyme. If it is Botulinum Toxin, it will wear off gradually over a few months. It can also be tweaked if eyebrows seem too high or low, but again, be sure to see a qualified professional.
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