What is facial aesthetics?
Facial Aesthetics is a broad term used to describe the non-surgical techniques used to temporarily soften expression lines or enhance volume and contours of the face. They fall under 2 areas:
Anti-wrinkle injections, (commonly known as Botox) These can be administered to various areas of the face and neck to relax the skin and soften the effects of stress, aging and emotions. They work by temporarily blocking the signals from the nerves to the underlying muscles. If the muscles can’t tighten then they can’t cause the unwanted lines. They are most commonly used on the forehead and around the eye area, but can be used to treat a ‘gummy smile’, by easing the muscle that lifts the top lip. They can also be used to reduce excess sweating, to treat migraines, (by relaxing the muscles that cause migraine), and to treat painful jaws related to clenching/grinding of teeth. These types of treatment typically last 3-6 months.
Dermal Fillers These contain Hyaluronic acid which is a substance found naturally occurring in the body. It keeps our skin hydrated and looking healthy but its levels decrease with age. Dermal Fillers work by replenishing hyaluronic acid in selected areas. They add volume and rejuvenate the skin and can be used to fill in deep facial lines or reshape and contour features such as the nose, lips and jawline. Over time the fillers dissolve but the effects usually last 6-12 months. They are also reversible if necessary.
