Because facial fillers are a quick, non-surgical way for a patient to reduce facial wrinkles and restore volume, many patients think performing them must be simple. Nothing could be further from the truth. As this report on a presentation made at the Facial Aesthetics New York conference reminds us, fractions of millimeters matter, and a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy is critical for optimal results.
A thorough knowledge of facial anatomy is critical to achieving beautiful results with fillers. Essentially, your provider needs to “see” beneath the skin’s surface to make good decisions about where and how much filler to inject.
Simply knowing how a filler works is not enough; a provider needs to understand the intricacies of each tissue layer in each region of the face to be certain she is injecting the appropriate amount of filler, in the right locations, and at the correct depth to achieve the desired result. Inject a filler too close to the surface, and the product is visible; place it too deeply, and the product will break down too quickly, necessitating another treatment months before one should be required.
Not only will the thickness of a patient’s facial skin and fat determine where and how deep injections should be placed, but a provider must also take into account nuances of facial muscles, nerves and blood vessels to avoid damaging surrounding tissue and provide a safe, beautiful outcome.
Moreover, your injector must understand how facial anatomy varies given a patient’s age, gender, and unique traits. For example, facial fat tends to be somewhat evenly distributed in a younger patient, but with age this fat thins out in the upper and mid-face and descends to the jowls. Essentially, your provider needs to “see” beneath the skin’s surface to make good decisions about where and how much filler to inject.
This is why I personally perform all facial filler injections for my patients in Scottsdale and Mesa. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I can call upon my extensive residency training in plastic surgery, as well as my surgical skill and knowledge of facial aging, symmetry and aesthetics gained through nearly 20 years in practice. Performing facelifts affords me the unique opportunity to literally see under the skin on a regular basis. This perspective helps me determine the optimal depth of treatment to maximize the longevity of fillers while ensuring a natural, beautiful result.
For best results, focus on expertise before products
As the article suggests, the most important question to ask yourself when considering facial fillers isn’t “what product will get me the best results,” but rather, “who should perform my filler injections?” I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to verify the training and experience of the person from whom you choose to receive treatment. In addition to knowing how to inject fillers to achieve beautiful results, anyone you consult with should have a thorough understanding of complications that can occur with facial filler injections and how to treat them. While serious issues are extremely rare, having the appropriate drugs on hand to treat them and knowing how to do so expediently can prevent major problems.
If you are considering having facial filler injections in Scottsdale or Mesa, I encourage you to contact my office. I will be glad to meet with you for a personal consultation to explain your options and help you design a treatment plan that best suits your needs and goals.
To learn more about the impact of facial anatomy on filler outcomes, read the article here, or watch a video of the full presentation for an in-depth look.
Tags: scottsdale plastic surgeon, scottsdale fillers, facial filler injections scottsdale, who should perform filler injectionsCategorized in: Non-surgical Procedures
