Recommended by the Best of Solihull

I have during this week had the pleasure of spending time in the company of extremely experienced plastic surgeons, cosmetic doctors and dentists updating and increasing my knowledge of aesthetic procedures. 

I was invited by Galderma to undertake advanced training in anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons with a select group. The agenda included anatomy training with a cadaver, something I haven't experienced since dental school and even more fascinating now than it was twenty years ago!

My experience highlights the fact that aesthetic procedures are not a purely cosmetic treatment. They are  extremely involved medical treatments that necessitate in depth knowledge of facial structures and the risks associated with them.

New proposals to regulate cosmetic procedures have recently been reported in the papers with The Daily Telegraph warning that anti-wrinkle treatments are “a crisis waiting to happen”.

The stories are based on an independent review of regulations governing the UK cosmetic industry. The review was chaired by the NHS medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, who said anyone having cosmetic procedures should be better protected than at present and people carrying out cosmetic procedures should be trained to a high standard.

The review particularly highlights concerns about non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as:

Dermal fillers (injections of hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars)

Botox (injections of a toxin used to smooth the skin)

Chemical peel (where chemicals are used to remove dead skin)

Laser hair removal.

Under current regulations, all of these procedures can legally be performed by anyone, whatever their level of medical training. Ridiculous!This is in spite of the fact that, if performed incorrectly, these procedures can result in a range of complications such as burning, scarring, infection and even blindness. The review proposes that much tighter and rigorous regulation is required for these types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures to ensure their safety.

What did the Keogh review find?
The review found that dermal fillers are a particular cause for concern because anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience. There are insufficient checks in place on the quality of the products used during the procedure, the report says, pointing out that “most dermal fillers have no more controls than a bottle of floor cleaner”.

What recommendations have the review group made?
The report outlines the need for safer products, more highly skilled practitioners and more responsible providers. It calls for:

• EU regulations on medical devices to be extended to cover all cosmetic implants including dermal fillers, and new UK laws to make this happen sooner.
•  Dermal fillers to be classified as prescription only
• The Royal College of Surgeons to set standards for cosmetic surgery practice and training and to issue formal certification of competence.
• All those performing cosmetic procedures to be registered.
• Qualifications to be developed for providers of non-surgical procedures.

You can read NHS Bruce Keogh Review of Cosmetic Procedures here.

 

This is all very worrying and I must stress the importance of knowing the qualifications of any person who may be planning treatment with a potential patient.

Choose carefully when thinking about having a non-surgical cosmetic facial treatment.

You ideally want to enter into a long term relationship with a medical cosmetic practitioner so it is important to ask questions and find someone that you can trust and feel at ease with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions….

• What are the qualifications?
• Do you feel comfortable talking to them?
• Do they understand what you are looking to achieve?

• Do you have a range of options?
• How long have they been carrying out the treatment you are interested in?
• Have they fully informed you of what you can expect from treatment, the possible side effects and complications?
• Will they be easy to contact and see if the need should arise?
• Do the premises and the manner of the practitioner feel right?
• Are you talking to the clinician who will actually be performing the treatment?

Choosing your aesthetic practitioner.

I have during this week had the pleasure of spending time in the company of extremely experienced plastic surgeons, cosmetic doctors and dentists updating and increasing my knowledge of aesthetic procedures. 

I was invited by Galderma to undertake advanced training in anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons with a select group. The agenda included anatomy training with a cadaver, something I haven't experienced since dental school and even more fascinating now than it was twenty years ago!

My experience highlights the fact that aesthetic procedures are not a purely cosmetic treatment. They are  extremely involved medical treatments that necessitate in depth knowledge of facial structures and the risks associated with them.

New proposals to regulate cosmetic procedures have recently been reported in the papers with The Daily Telegraph warning that anti-wrinkle treatments are “a crisis waiting to happen”.

The stories are based on an independent review of regulations governing the UK cosmetic industry. The review was chaired by the NHS medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, who said anyone having cosmetic procedures should be better protected than at present and people carrying out cosmetic procedures should be trained to a high standard.

The review particularly highlights concerns about non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as:

Dermal fillers (injections of hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars)

Botox (injections of a toxin used to smooth the skin)

Chemical peel (where chemicals are used to remove dead skin)

Laser hair removal.

Under current regulations, all of these procedures can legally be performed by anyone, whatever their level of medical training. Ridiculous!This is in spite of the fact that, if performed incorrectly, these procedures can result in a range of complications such as burning, scarring, infection and even blindness. The review proposes that much tighter and rigorous regulation is required for these types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures to ensure their safety.

What did the Keogh review find?
The review found that dermal fillers are a particular cause for concern because anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience. There are insufficient checks in place on the quality of the products used during the procedure, the report says, pointing out that “most dermal fillers have no more controls than a bottle of floor cleaner”.

What recommendations have the review group made?
The report outlines the need for safer products, more highly skilled practitioners and more responsible providers. It calls for:

• EU regulations on medical devices to be extended to cover all cosmetic implants including dermal fillers, and new UK laws to make this happen sooner.
•  Dermal fillers to be classified as prescription only
• The Royal College of Surgeons to set standards for cosmetic surgery practice and training and to issue formal certification of competence.
• All those performing cosmetic procedures to be registered.
• Qualifications to be developed for providers of non-surgical procedures.

You can read NHS Bruce Keogh Review of Cosmetic Procedures here.

 

This is all very worrying and I must stress the importance of knowing the qualifications of any person who may be planning treatment with a potential patient.

Choose carefully when thinking about having a non-surgical cosmetic facial treatment.

You ideally want to enter into a long term relationship with a medical cosmetic practitioner so it is important to ask questions and find someone that you can trust and feel at ease with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions….

• What are the qualifications?
• Do you feel comfortable talking to them?
• Do they understand what you are looking to achieve?

• Do you have a range of options?
• How long have they been carrying out the treatment you are interested in?
• Have they fully informed you of what you can expect from treatment, the possible side effects and complications?
• Will they be easy to contact and see if the need should arise?
• Do the premises and the manner of the practitioner feel right?
• Are you talking to the clinician who will actually be performing the treatment?

 

 

 

Can lip fillers look natural?- Yes they can!

Many potential clients seeking lip enhancements are put off by the Lesley Ash lip experience. Everyone has heard about her treatment and the consequences that the unfortunate lady is having to live with. Of course, we always get to hear about the celebrities who have overdone it a bit in one way or another, while those who have successful, natural looking enhancements, in the way it should be done, manage to remain below the media radar. They simply remain looking good for their age.

Lesley Ash actually had a disastrous permanent lip implant using silicone and then had an allergic reaction to it. Why any cosmetic doctor would be prepared to offer a permanent treatment in this area is beyond me! This is no longer used due to the complications associated with it.

I offer only ultra fine, temporary, hyaluronic acid based fillers with a tried and tested clinical history and FDA approval. These include the Juvederm Ultra range. Juvéderm^® Ultra Smile lip enhancement treatment is a gentle filler dedicated to giving you fuller, more defined, natural-looking lips.

I always adopt the 'less is more' approach and stress to my clients about taking a minimal approach. Very small amounts of product can be used when carefully placed in specific areas of the lips to create a naturally plumper lip and more supported lip line. 'Trout pouts' tend to occur when too much filler is placed along the edges of the lips which can produce a stiff, protruding look with an obvious ridge. This is not the look that most of us seek!

As the effects of ageing take hold, even the lucky few who were born with perfectly beautiful lips may want to consider enhancing their lips’ appearance. Over time, the volume of the lips depletes, leaving a thinner, flatter appearance. Wrinkles and fine lines compromise their smooth look, and the vermillion borders and Cupid’s bow become less defined. Around the mouth, the area between your upper lip and nose can become flattened, and the corners of the mouth may turn downward, creating a tired, aged appearance.

You can enhance the contour, definition and overall shape of your lips, correcting any slight asymmetry and adding more support at the philtrum- those little lines below the nose- to help smooth away these signs of ageing. Juvederm Ultra Smile does contain a local anaesthetic too, so with the addition of lashings of topical cream beforehand this helps to make the treatment a far more comfortable one.

So... don't let those big lipped celebrities put you off! Your lips CAN be enhanced in a very natural way.

A Natural Look Can be Achieved with Botox

Many people still compare the effect of 'botox' to the ‘frozen’ faces of many celebrities, seemingly unable to show any expression. However, by working with the right practitioner, you can achieve a far more natural looking effect.

By relaxing the muscles in the face 'botox' tackles the wrinkles generated by these muscles but as a consequence reduces movement and therefore facial expressions such as frowning, raising your eyebrows etc. By adjusting the amount of botox injected, the level of muscle movement can also be varied.

Rather than eliminate all wrinkles completely, a far gentler effect can be achieved, where the lines are dramatically softened, but the face can still be very expressive.

A good aesthetics practitioner will discuss with you the look you want to achieve, and the amount of facial movement you wish to retain. Based on your consultation, they can then determine the right amount of botulinum toxin required to give the desired effect. The wrinkles will be greatly diminished but you should still be able to look natural when smiling or frowning. The goal is for you to look fresher faced..... not frozen faced!

Be the best version of yourself.