Cosmetic medicine has evolved at an incredible pace over the past decade. Thanks to internet, publications and conferences, each practising physician benefits from the experience of hundreds of other “Cosmetic” physicians worldwide.
Not that long ago this speciality consisted primarily of filling nasolabial folds, and paralyzing muscles in the upper face.
What advancement we have made! We now have so many technical possibilities; provided one masters them all efficiently, obliging the physician to make an overall analysis of the face in order to provide an individualized care that will satisfy each patient.
Personally, when I see a patient for the first time, seeing an old photo helps me understand the changes that the face has suffered over the detrimental effects of time. It is then easier to understand how I can restore youth to the face. Effectively, this is a universal law; no one grows old in the same way. Thus, always applying the same technique, it is impossible to offer necessary personalized care which is nevertheless crucial.
I am also now convinced that it is preferable to start “soft” acts of aesthetic medicine as early as is possible. Indeed, modern techniques not only seek to correct the ravages of time, but also to inhibit them. A complete approach toaging will help prevent, as well as correct it. In addition to this immediate correction ; usually the patient’s main motivation, we can now build a true prevention strategy.
How many patients have consistently shown me photos taken several yearsbefore and who can sincerely say, theyl ook younger and fitter today, five or ten years later, than they did, thanks toc osmetic medecine ! What could be more rewarding than these enthusiastic testimonials?
Botox, started early enough, prevents the appearance of forehead large “lions’ jaw” wrinkles and and smoothcrow's feet. It prevents real skin “fractures” that will never disappear. The hydroxylapatite, injected in the subjects till young enough prevents sagging facial skin and phytosis, by the fibrosis it induces. Hyaluronic acid prevents the formation and aggravation of deep lines that age dramatically and prevents the thinning of the face. Finally, superficial peels, and mesolifts as well as pulsed light used regularly, stimulates the skin and generates skin renewal as they prevent the skin from aging.
Thus, starting relatively early, entrusting ones face to an experienced esthetic doctor, is the beginning of a real prevention strategy which should avoid having to practice much heavier acts in the future.
I also think that during the first consultation, it is necessary to evaluate accurately the patients’ degree of aging and explain what can be done to improve it. Even if this implies performing several different actions and thus a larger budget than initially projected. I insist that a patient is confident and it is in no way an incitement to spend more. Acts of aesthetic medicine are expensive (often related to the prohibitive cost of the products used). I undertake personally never to propose anything that would not add a “plus”. Personally, I feel the most important aspect is patient satisfaction.
However, those who consultfor the first timeoften come witha preconceived idea and a specific request. "I do not like this wrinkle!”,without realizing the true revolution that their faces have suffered over time !! Responding only to this request to fill THEwrinkle in question, without proposing a comprehensive strategy for the whole face would be a mistake. It is always possible to stagger schedules and payments, but it is essential that the patient and those around him/her, actually notice a real improvement.
With a good ten years of experience in aesthetic medicine, I now have a more analytical view of faces. I learned to understand how the light projected onto a face betrays all its imperfections. How shadows can reveal a defect it will be possible to correct. How volumes have shifted and have added a heavier look to the lower face at the expense of the upper part.
It’s in this direction we need to work, trying, whenever possible, to recreate, by volumizing, the famous “triangle of youth”.
Finally, when I talk of improvement, this does not necessarily mean "spectacular results". On the contrary. Modern aesthetic medicine must, remain subtle & “gentle”. The desired effect gives a more “healthy glow” or “rested” look. Many patients never tell their spouses’ or their close entourage. Even if it is difficult to "rejuvenate" with the modern aesthetic medicine (except with the deep peels), it is quite possible to "refresh" the face and to maintain this healthy glow for several years.
Build a trusting relationship
In conclusion, performing an act of aesthetic medicine is not a trivial process. Not, given the risks that are currently almost negligible.
No! One should rather be aware that this is a determination to prepare the present, but especially the future. For this, a trusting relationship must be established between the patient and the practitioner. The patient must be wise and not expectunrealistic results from his/her doctor. The practitioner, by offering the most appropriate techniques and having an overall view and personalized, almost artisticeye, must accompany the patient to successful aging that never be, as is so often the case: a hopeless wreck!
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