Enhance Your Natural Beauty: The Top Aesthetic Treatments to Enhance Your Look

Ageing is a fact of life. Looking your age is not! As an aesthetic doctor with more than 10 years’ experience with aesthetic treatments such as botulinum toxin, chemical peels, biostimulators and fillers, I am often asked about the benefits and potential risks associated with these procedures. While these treatments are popular for their ability to improve the appearance of fine lines, volume loss, and other signs of aging, it's important to carefully consider which treatment is right for you. With minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, we try to restore the lost elements involved in the appearance of youthfulness.

Botox is a popular treatment that involves injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin into the muscles of the face. This causes the muscles to relax, which can help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Botox is most commonly used to treat frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead wrinkles, but it can also be used to treat other areas of the face.

• Avoid over the counter analgesics like Ibuprofen and Diclofenac which can increase bleeding & bruising potential.
• Avoid alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
• If you are prone to cold sores, inform your medical practitioner so she can prescribe the appropriate prophylactic treatment.
• Avoid waxing or hair removal creams at least two days prior to the procedure.
• Avoid retinoids or any other anti-ageing serums for at least two days before the procedure.
• Avoid supplements like Vitamin E, Omega and St John's-wort at least a week before the procedure.
• Take Arnica supplements a few days before the procedure to decrease the incidence of bruising.
• Arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment so that an appropriate numbing agent can be applied to decrease any discomfort.

One of my preferred procedures is the Non-Surgical Lip Lift. It is a lip filling technique designed by Dr Harris and involves using low doses of lip filler to enhance only the natural tubercles of the lip. This in turn avoids the duck lip or Russian doll lip appearance. Soft, natural lips with anatomically normal movement and appearance.

An ideal anti-aging treatment is chemical peels. They are an ideal way to restore your skin’s radiance and glow. The ideal time to schedule your chemical peel appointment is during the winter months, when you’re more likely to be indoors and away from the sun’s harmful rays. Chemical peels are an excellent solution for a wide range of skin concerns such as wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Consult your doctor first to rule out any dermatological concerns and prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The after-care is even more important than the Peel itself, so make sure you have the correct products to soothe and protect the skin sufficiently.

While both botulinum toxin and fillers can be effective treatments for improving the appearance of the face, they are not without risks. One of the most common risks associated with these treatments is bruising and swelling at the injection site. Unfortunately, the effects of these treatments are not permanent. Botox typically lasts for around 3-4 months, while fillers can last anywhere from 6-18 months depending on the specific product used. In severe cases fillers can also cause vascular occlusion (blocking of veins in the area injected) which can lead to skin necrosis if not treated in time. Therefore it is imperative that your practitioner is properly trained in treating the right area in the right level using the correct injection device (needle or cannula). That being said, vascular occlusion can happen to the best of injectors due to anatomical differences in patients. Ask your doctor if they have Hyalase - an injectable agent meant to reverse and break up the Hyaluronic Acid Filler.

Biostimulators are one of the most exciting aesthetic advances and definitely my personal favourite. They come in different forms with different intended outcomes. Some are meant to stimulate collagen (I call them the plumpers) while others have the ability to make new collagen (I call them the lifters) leading to a very natural rejuvenating or even pre-juvenating effect.

The key with all of these wonderful aesthetic treatments is to start low and go slow. In my experience patients want to look less tired, less angry or less sad. Not like an entirely different person… So by making small changes to restore or beautify certain areas is more than enough to get a great result without looking like you had undergone any procedures.

Contact LifeLAB Medical Practice to book your appointment with Dr Juanri Jonck.

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