Natural look preferred
Rather than going under the knife, one can easily opt for injectables that have become a mainstream treatment for erasing wrinkles, plumping up the face and sculpting a V-line.
Only an experienced and qualified injector, however, can do the job and avoid complications from jabbing the wrong spot, which requires a mastery in facial anatomy.
Dr Han Seung-ho, anatomy expert and research director of the Korean Association of Basic Medical Scientists in Seoul, was called on as a guest speaker of the “3rd iClass Anatomy Cadaver Course Asia”, which aimed at improving the skills of Thai dermatologists in performing cosmetic procedures, particularly in injecting botulinum toxin and fillers for facial correction and rejuvenation.
The original training programme with anatomy dissections and live demonstrations of injections was created by French plastic surgeons, Dr Matt Stefanelli and Prof Dr Christian Dumontier.
In collaboration with Siriraj Hospital and Inter Pharma Aesthetic College, the Asian edition of the iClass course was held at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel and Siriraj Training and Education Center for Clinical Skills.
“The dermatologists want to know where to inject correctly as well as areas of caution,” said Dr Han. “In practice, they can’t really see the muscles, nerves and blood vessels underneath the skin and have to visualise them. Moreover, each face is different and the injection needs to be customised according to an individual’s facial anatomy.”
Incorrect dosage and administration of botulinum toxin can make the face look stiff and unnatural. One or both eyebrows may become highly arched, with the “surprised” facial expression an adverse effect from the improper injection.
Complications from a displacement of filler injections include vision impairment or loss due to the product being pushed into the central retinal artery and cutting blood supply to the optic nerve.
“Seeking an experienced aesthetician doctor is very important when seeking facial rejuvenation. And even more so for midface rejuvenation, which is the most difficult because of the complex anatomy and effects of gravity,” noted Dr Han.
As any person ages, their mid-face descends with bags or hollowing under the eyes, skin sags and nasolabial folds become more prominent. Non-surgical mid-face treatment uses fillers such as fat, hyaluronic acid and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to restore fullness and lift up the face.
Even without signs of ageing, women have embraced aesthetic needles to enhance their looks, referencing K-beauty standards which define V as the ideal face shape.
While the V-line is all the rage, in the eyes of Dr Han, the beauty of the human face is not about the shape.
“Reshaping the face is not the only treatment goal, which also encompasses achieving a symmetry, the right proportion and natural-looking results,” he said.
Some patients though request for a dramatic change, which may look strangely unnatural if not disastrous.
Thus, rather than overusing injections, Dr Han encourages patients to pursue a natural look.