In the News

Fillers in Dubai | 4 September 2019

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal Fillers is the name given to products which can be injected into the skin to rejuvenate areas which have over time lost volume, however they can also be used to add volume to areas that we want to accentuate, typically the lips and cheeks. Commonly Dermal Fillers are composed of a substance called Hyaluronic Cross-Linked Acid (HA), which is something the skin naturally produces.  (There are also other Dermal Filler products that use other products such as polylactic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite, but this post concentrates on HA)

How do they work?

Over time, our body reduces the amount of Hyaluronic acid it produces, which is associated with skin ageing. Hyaluronic Acid comes pre-packed syringes in a gel form, which is injected into the skin. This gives an instant plumping effect, however the Hyaluronic Acid also attracts approximately 500 times its own weight in water, which gives a secondary plumping effect and also gives the skin a really lovely rejuvenated and rehydrated appearance.

What areas can they be used to treat?

Dermal Fillers can be used to treat almost any problem area on the face, hands, neck and décolletage.  Typically though they tend to be used for: nose to mouth lines, marionette lines (from the corner of the mouth to the chin), cheek enhancement, lip enhancement, smoker’s lines on the top lip or any fine line or wrinkles.

What are the benefits?

Dermal Fillers really do have anti-ageing properties, anecdotally people have said that even when the product has worn off the area that was treated never truly goes back to the way it was.  This is because of the positive effect hyaluronic acid has on collagen and fibroblast production.

What is the difference between Dermal Fillers and Wrinkle Relaxing Injections?

I get asked this question a lot and I think it’s really important for the client to understand.  Wrinkle Relaxing Injections consist of a neurotoxin Botulinum Toxin being injected into the muscle, which causes temporary paralysis of the muscle.  Whilst the muscle isn’t moving, the skin is able to iron out and lines and wrinkles appear less obvious.  The important thing is that word temporary; after 3-4 months the muscle will start moving again, with full movement returning around 6 months later.   Hyaluronic Acid-based Dermal Fillers involve a completely natural product being injected into the skin to plump up areas which have lost volume or to areas that you want to accentuate.

Is it safe?

The Hyaluronic Acid used in Dermal Fillers is almost identical to what is created naturally by the body, so you would be extremely unlikely to have an allergic reaction to them.   The most common side-effects include bruising, swelling and redness which typically clear up within 7-10 days. Less common side-effects can include migration of the product from the area it was injected, which can be easily fixed by dissolving the product with an enzyme called hyalauronidaise. Very rare side-effects can include granulomas, which are little lumps created by the body as a form of reaction to the Dermal Filler, and necrosis caused by the Dermal Filler being injected into a vein.   

Fillers in Dubai | 1 September 2019

What are lip fillers?

Lip fillers – also known as ‘lip enhancement’ or ‘lip augmentation’ – is a popular cosmetic procedure that results in fuller and plumper lips. Lip fillers used to involve the injection of collagen, but these days dermal fillers are the most common method of lip enhancement as they last longer and are much more stable than collagen. There are a lot of different types of dermal filler that can be used for lip filler treatments. The most common of these are fillers that contain substances similar to hyaluronic acid – a natural substance found in the body that increases the volume of your lips. Once they are injected, hyaluronic acid fillers add support and shape to the lip tissue. The benefits of using this kind of lip filler include:

Lip volume control

The amount of substance injected can be easily controlled, so the practitioner has a high degree of control over how much more volume is created.

Gradual treatment

These injections can be administered gradually over time, so the patient can have several different appointments until they achieve the desired results.

Lumps dissolve quickly

Any lumps and bumps that are created by movement of the lips dissolve quickly and easily.

Less bruising

Compared to other dermal fillers, there is usually a lot less bruising when using hyaluronic acid fillers.

Long lasting results

Although they are not permanent, the results are very long lasting.

How long do lip fillers last?

The effects of lip fillers typically last approximately six months. After that, more injections will be needed to maintain the desired volume of your lips.

What to expect when getting a lip filler treatment

Lip filler treatments are usually very quick and simple procedures that can be carried out quickly. Before receiving the injections, either a topical or local numbing agent will be applied to the treated area to ease any potential discomfort. It is also not uncommon for nerve blocking injections to be used – which are similar to the type of anaesthetic injections applied by a dentist to numb your mouth. Following this your practitioner will carefully mark the areas of your lips that are to be injected, and then very fine needles are used to inject the dermal filler substance into your lips. After the injections ice might be provided to help ease any discomfort and reduce any swelling. This should only be applied lightly though, as no firm pressure should be put on the treated area immediately after the injections. Lipstick and any other lip products should also be avoided following the lip filler procedure.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 30 August 2019

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, also known as the ‘Vampire Facelift’ or ‘Dracula Therapy’, works on the basis that the body’s own natural healing powers may slow and even reverse the ageing process. It is a revolutionary repair system that places growth factors in the exact location where we want the skin to repair and rejuvenate itself.

Platelets contain a high content of “growth factors” – proteins that help to heal injured tissue or damaged skin. Upon re-injection the platelets release their growth factors which trigger surrounding cells to proliferate, in turn stimulating repair, increasing volume and rejuvenating the skin.

A state-of-the-art Concentrated Platelet Rich Plasma System enables me to process large amounts of whole blood which means that more areas are able to be treated during the session and that patients aren’t required to have as many sessions throughout the year. The blood is taken from the patient during the treatment, then treated (in a centrifuge) to harvest the platelet rich plasma which will be activated and re-injected into the desired area. The therapy plumps the skin, fills out fine lines and wrinkles, and gives an overall more radiant appearance. The procedure also has fantastic healing benefits for injuries.

Blepharoplasty Dubai | 28 August 2019

You may feel that your eyes look tired and puffy. Lower eyelid surgery could reduce the bags and puffiness beneath your eyes. Helping you to achieve a more youthful appearance. The skin under the eye is very thin and as we age the muscles around the eye weaken and the fat deposits shift. In addition, the collagen in skin starts to breakdown and in time the skin loses it elasticity. There are two different types of lower eye lid surgery to remove the fat deposits from beneath the eyes.

Outside – An incision is made outside the lower eyelid. It removes excess skin, fat deposits and sometimes muscle tissue from beneath the eye.

Inside – A single incision is made inside the lower eyelid. It is for those who have fatty deposits which need removing but do not have any excess skin.

Seven to ten days after surgery you should see an improvement and you will have brighter eyes with the youthful look you desire.

Blepharoplasty Dubai | 26 August 2019

What to expect after the operation

Eyelid reductions for the lower lid, or the lower and upper lids, are usually carried out under a general anaesthetic (so you would be asleep), or a local anaesthetic and sedation (where the whole area is numbed with injections and you are awake but sedated to keep you calm). Eyelid reductions for the upper lid only are usually carried out under local anaesthetic. The operation usually takes one or two hours.

You might be given antibiotics to keep the wound clean. You might go home the same day, or stay in hospital overnight. If you do go home on the same day, a responsible adult should stay with you for the night. Simple painkillers should be enough to keep you comfortable. After the surgery you should not drive or use machinery for at least 24 hours, until you have recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination.

It is common to have watery eyes after an eyelid reduction, partly because of swelling under the conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eye socket) and partly because the tear ducts are swollen and do not drain properly. This will last a few weeks. I may give you eyedrops to help to ease the feeling of grittiness. After surgery, the eyelids might look and feel tight when closed because of the swelling and because skin has been removed. If you cannot completely close your eyes at night you should apply some eye ointment before going to sleep. This tightness will ease as the swelling goes down.

Dressings

I may apply some suture strips to support the eyelids. If these become crusted they can be replaced. Cleaning the eyes with water is useful, and the surgeon may advise you to use eye drops or ointment. Sleeping propped up will help reduce swelling and will help you stay on your back. Using cold compresses on your eyelids for one or two days can also help to reduce bruising and swelling. Do not put ice directly onto your skin.

Stitches

The stitches are usually removed after three to five days, and you will be able to use make-up soon after. You may be advised to use the suture strips to support the lower eyelids for a week or so.

Recovery

You will be out of bed on the same day as your surgery. You may have a little bleeding from your eyelids for the first day or two after your operation. Dab this away gently with gauze squares or a clean handkerchief. Activities that increase the blood flow in your face (for example, bending over, straining, lifting or taking a hot bath) may increase the chance of bleeding, so avoid these for the first week. Sleep with extra pillows to keep your head raised and be gentle with your eyelids for at least another month. You can gently clean your eyes with wet gauze.

You will be able to do light activities after one or two weeks. Most patients take at least two weeks off work after the operation, depending on their job. With all activities, start gently. Do not drive until you feel safe and are comfortable wearing a seatbelt. Check your insurance documents if you are not sure.

Seeing the results

At first your eye skin may seem too tight and swollen, and you will have some bruising, which can be disguised with make-up and dark glasses. It can take a few weeks for the swelling to settle, and many months for the final result to appear. The scars will be pink for a few months, but eventually they become almost invisible. The scars may also become tight after a few weeks, but this normally settles after four to six months. Most patients are pleased with the final result, but some find their new shape difficult to get used to. This may happen to you.

Your aftercare

To protect your body, and get the best result, look after yourself. Avoid vigorous activities after your operation. Protect your wounds as you are told to. Putting on weight will affect the results. Maintain a healthy weight and level of exercise.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 24 August 2019

Perioral lines, loss of volume to the lips, nasolabial folds and marionette lines are all common lower facial concerns that patients present with when seeking aesthetic treatment. In addition, a sagging jawline is a key indicator of facial ageing and often has a significant impact on a patient’s appearance. The combined effects of gravity, progressive bone resorption, decreased tissue elasticity, and redistribution of subcutaneous fullness all contribute to the manifestations of facial ageing;1 however, there are a number of non-surgical options available to help lift and contour the lower face.

Consultation

Every patient benefits from a full face consultation where I look at the structure, the soft tissues and the proportions of their face. It’s interesting for patients to learn how each part of the face relates to the bit beside it, and never is this more true than for the lower face, which shows the effects of everything that happens above it. In my consultations, I will talk through each part of the patient’s face and point out the cause and effect of each aesthetic concern. Doing so, allows patients to understand that lower face ageing is generally a result of ageing of the mid-face and helps patients to recognise that only addressing one concern is not necessarily going to have an overall positive effect. Performing a full face clinical analysis helps to understand where I can get an uptake of extra skin and still keep results looking natural. I use specific measurements tailored to each patient to know where to treat to ensure that the patient looks natural, but also better.

Dermal fillers

Administering dermal filler treatment can offer significant improvement to the contour of the jawline. While hyaluronic acid (HA) can be used successfully, A treatment of choice is RADIESSE (+), a dermal filler composed of small calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres that is suspended in a soft gel matrix. Once injected, it aims to provide immediate volume and correction, as well as stimulate the skin to produce its own natural collagen.

Patients get dynamic results as it can really sharpen the jawline. As it contains CaHA, resorption of the gel occurs over three to six months so you will get increased dermal depth, more collagen and more/better quality elastin. Regardless of the type of filler used, the use of a cannula when treating the jawline to avoid the risk of injecting an artery. The facial artery in that region is protected by the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), so it’s not easy to accidently go underneath that fascia with a cannula. By using a cannula I can stay in the plain where there are no major arteries and I would feel it if I moved out of this area. Successful results are achieved by injecting subdermally with lots of little passes. I examine the jawline in three dimensions, aiming to straighten it – particularly with the formation of jowls – sharpen and then contour it. In my experience, treatment results usually last for a year, however, in some cases it can last up to 18 months.  

Blepharoplasty Dubai | 22 August 2019

The skin loses its elasticity and our muscles slacken with age. For the eyelids this results in an accumulation of loose skin which collects as folds in the upper lids and forms deepening creases in the lower lids. At the same time there is slackening of the muscle beneath the skin allowing the fat, which cushions the eyes in their sockets, to protrude forward to give the appearance of bagginess. In some families there is an inherited tendency for bags to develop during early adulthood before any skin changes.

What is blepharoplasty surgery?

Blepharoplasty surgery, commonly known as an eyelid reduction, is an operation to reshape the eyelids. An upper-eyelid reduction can improve your vision and make you look younger. A lower-eyelid reduction can help to reduce wrinkles and puffiness.

Why have an eyelid reduction?

With age, our muscles slacken and the skin loses its elasticity. For the eyelids, this results in folds in the upper lids and deepening creases in the lower lids. Also, the slackening of muscle beneath the skin allows the fat which cushions the eyes in their sockets to bulge forwards to give the appearance of bagginess. In some families there is an inherited tendency for bags to develop during early adulthood.

Folds, creases and bagginess often seem worse in the morning, particularly after periods of stress and lack of sleep. This is because fluid that is normally distributed throughout the body when it is upright tends to settle in areas where the skin is loose, such as the eyelids, when a person is lying down. The ageing process can also cause drooping of the eyelids, and folds of skin to gather in the upper eyelids. Sometimes there is so much skin that the upper lids hang over the eyelashes.

What will happen before my operation?

We will meet to talk about why you want surgery and what you want. I will make a note of any illnesses you have or have had in the past. In particular, you should tell me if you have ever had any thyroid disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or eye disorder (such as a detached retina or glaucoma). I will also make a record of any medication you are on, including herbal remedies and medicines that are not prescribed by your doctor. I will examine your eyes, face and skin, and may take some photographs for your medical records. I will ask you to sign a consent form for taking, storing and using the photographs.

I will measure your height and weight to make sure that it is safe to do an operation. If you are overweight, pregnant or planning to become pregnant, I may suggest delaying your operation. If you would be having the surgery under a local anaesthetic, I will make sure that you can lie flat and still. I may want you to be checked out by an ophthalmologist.

How is the surgery performed?

Eyelid reductions can be carried out under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic. In a typical procedure, I make cuts that follow the natural lines of your eyelids – in the creases of the upper lids and just below the lashes in the lower lids (see the eye on the left of the diagram opposite). These cuts are extended a little way into the crow’s feet (also known as laughter lines) at the corner of the eyes.

What is the alternative treatment?

Sometimes, a sagging forehead and eyebrow can make the eyelid look like it is sagging. I may recommend an eyebrow lift instead of, or at the same time as, an eyelid reduction.

Only wrinkles in the skin which is cut away by the surgery will be improved. Folds of skin extending on to the cheek will not normally be improved. If you have wrinkles and saggy skin elsewhere on your face and neck, it may be useful to have a facelift or necklift (or both) at the same time as the eyelid reduction. A facelift can be used to not only lift the eyebrow and the upper eyelid, but also to lift and open the outer corner of the eye.

Although an eyelid reduction is the best way to reduce sagging of the eyelid, a laser can sometimes be used to burn the surface of your skin in a controlled way. This is called laser resurfacing and it can be carried out at the same time as the eyelid reduction to improve any remaining wrinkles. After laser resurfacing, the skin heals to be softer and less wrinkled. This improvement is not permanent, and the procedure does not work well on dark skin. It has no effect at all on dark circles under the eye.

Botox (injections of the botulinum toxin) can also be used to smooth out fine wrinkles.

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 21 August 2019

You don’t have to leave your youthful good looks behind as you age. In the hands of a skilled cosmetic surgeon, you can counteract the effects of time and gravity and restore the naturally vibrant appearance you remember from years ago, or even address the early signs of aging before they take hold.

What is Facelift Surgery?

Facelift surgery lifts and firms sagging facial tissues to restore a more naturally youthful facial appearance. It is often said that having a facelift works to “turn back the clock,” helping a patient look like a younger version of him or herself. By removing excess, sagging skin, smoothing deep folds, and lifting and tightening the deep facial tissues, a facelift surgery can help a patient look not just younger, but simply “better.”

Why Have a Facelift?

As we age, skin begins to lose elasticity, and facial tissues lose volume. Eventually, this results in “jowls” on the lower face, deep wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck. While this is a natural part of growing older, patients who are bothered by these signs of aging may find a facelift to be a good solution. If any of the following describe you, a facelift is an option to consider:

You feel self-conscious about the way your face & neck look due to sagging skin

You wear turtlenecks and scarves not because you want to, but because you want to hide your aging neck

When you see your reflection, you feel that your face makes you look much older than you feel

You feel that an aging appearance is negatively affecting your career or personal relationships

Following a facelift, patients frequently experience an upsurge in self-confidence, as their appearance better portrays their healthy, energetic vibe.

Types of Facelifts

Facelift surgery is individualized to a patient’s needs, and a cosmetic surgeon will tailor his or her techniques accordingly.

Mini-Facelift

Patients who exhibit a mild degree of jowling and sagging skin are often good candidates for a mini-facelift. This is a less invasive technique that allows a cosmetic surgeon to tighten deep facial tissues through shorter incisions, typically located along the hairline above each ear and/or in the natural creases surrounding the ear. Through these incisions, structural tissues around the cheeks are lifted and tightened to correct jowling, refine the jawline, and rejuvenate a “tired” appearance.

Depending on the case, a mini-facelift may be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia; your cosmetic surgeon will recommend the best option for your individual needs. A mini-facelift can help you address unwelcome signs of aging before they become too pronounced, postponing the need for more extensive surgery for many years.

Standard Facelift

A standard or “traditional” facelift will more fully address moderate to advanced aging around the mid-face and neck. While the surgery is more extensive than those for a mini-facelift, and thus more recovery time is required, the results are more dramatic. Through incisions located just behind the hairline, starting near the temples, and around the front of the ear, hidden in the natural folds, a cosmetic surgeon can reposition the deeper tissues beneath the skin and remove excess skin to smooth creases, eliminate jowling and sagging skin under the chin, and restore a naturally youthful contour to the face and neck.

Fillers in Dubai | 18 August 2019

Dermal Fillers and Lip Fillers are made of Hyaluronic acid, which is grown in a laboratory. This is naturally occurring in our skin and serves a variety of purposes. Youthful skin retains its turgor, resilience and pliability, among others, due to its high content of water. Daily external injury, in addition to the normal process of aging, causes loss of moisture. The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronic acid that has unique capacity in retaining water.

I am able to use dermal filler treatments to replicate bone, subcutaneous fat, to add more volume creating contours and symmetry to the face, to rejuvenate the ageing face, or to give overall hydration to improve skin texture. There are a variety of dermal fillers and lip fillers available on the market. I only use industry gold standard products to ensure we deliver you procedures with the evidence behind them. Dermal fillers and lip fillers come in a range of viscosities and are selected specifically for areas and the volume required.

Teosyal and Juvederm are traditional dermal fillers, dependent on the particle size and where they are placed, last from 6-12 months. The Teosyal RHA range lasts longer due to the elastic nature of the product. This helps to prolong breakdown by moving harmoniously with the skin and gives a more natural appearance. These dermal fillers typically last from 9-22 months.

1mL of dermal filler equates to 1/5^th of a teaspoon which can give good improvement to younger patients and older, however if there is a significant ageing or volume required you may require more than 1mL.

Areas which can be treated with dermal fillers include volumising young or ageing lips; smoker’s lines; chin & jawline contouring; cheeks; temples; forehead rejuvenation; nose; under eye hollowing; back of hands; full facial rejuvenation with skin beauty boosters; décolletage rejuvenation.

I believe in the natural look and will never make you look ‘done’. My aim is to have your friends, family and colleagues admiring your freshness rather than thinking you have had assistance with aesthetic procedures.

Patients often ask if the procedures hurt. I strive to make your experience as comfortable as possible, using numbing creams and techniques to minimise discomfort. If you are anxious and would like a dental block for lip or peri-oral treatments I can accommodate this.

It is very important that you make an informed choice when it comes to dermal filler procedures. This is a medical procedure and Iwill thoroughly discuss potential side effects as well as treatment outcomes at your consultation.

Fillers in Dubai | 13 August 2019

Dermal fillers are a cosmetic treatment which involves small injections. They are used to add volume to the soft tissue in the face – in areas such as the cheek, mouth, lips, around the eye and the jawline – combatting signs of ageing by filling in wrinkles and addressing dark circles, as well as thinning lips. They use a gel which usually includes hyaluronic acid.

How do dermal fillers work?

As time goes on, our bodies produce lower amounts of the proteins which give us a youthful look – namely elastin and collagen. Dermal fillers work to smooth the deep lines in the face which appear as wrinkles. This injectable treatment is able to add volume which has been lost in these areas since elastin and collagen production has dropped. In this way, dermal fillers are able to enhance the appearance of the face, adding ‘lift’. The dermal fillers procedure can involve a series of injections, depending on the requirements of the individual. In preparation for the injection, the targeted part of the face is numbed with a topical anaesthetic cream. The injection into the skin is administered to a mid or deep level. Following a dermal fillers injection, patients can resume their everyday activities, including the application of makeup. It is recommended that patients refrain from rubbing or massaging the affected area of the face for a few days after the treatment.

Who is suitable for dermal fillers?

There is a level of debate on the age at which collagen and elastin production begins to decrease, but it is accepted that this is around 25. From then on, we can expect a steady decline of elastin and collagen. The production of these proteins stops altogether by the time we reach our late twenties. For this reason, dermal fillers may be considered as a cosmetic treatment by anyone in their late twenties or older. Other possible good candidates for dermal fillers include non-smokers, those who are in good physical condition, and individuals who habitually take good care of their skin.

The benefits of dermal fillers

So exactly which are the benefits of dermal fillers that make them such a compelling cosmetic treatment? In this section, we take a look:

– Natural-looking result

One thing which most cosmetic treatment patients have in common is that they want natural looking results. Nobody wishes to be left with the tell-tale signs that they have had cosmetic work done. Dermal filler injections are able to offer this desirable, natural look, which retains the normal movements and expressions of the face. This is in contrast to procedures which can result in lasting changes to the recipient’s facial expression. That’s thanks in part to the more gradual process of dermal fillers, which plump out targeted areas of the face over time.

– Minimally invasive

Unlike plastic surgery, dermal facial fillers are a minimally invasive treatment. Not only does this mean that the procedure itself is less drastic than many surgical options carried out by plastic surgeons, but it also makes the treatment shorter than many more intensive options. Depending on the type, a dermal filler procedure will generally take under an hour, meaning that they need not disrupt the everyday activities of the patient. The recovery time is negligible, and that is compared to the rest time of between four to six weeks which is required by surgery.

– Faster than creams

Anti-ageing creams are favoured by some seeking to combat the natural effects of ageing, such as the decrease in elastin and collagen production. While results are possible from these type of cosmetic products, they can take months to appear. These type of creams can be seen as a long-term skincare option, whereas dermal fillers offer results which are almost instant in some cases. All that is required is to inject filler into the right areas.

– Non-permanent

Because dermal fillers are a minimally invasive treatment which typically use hyaluronic acid that the body produces naturally, the effects gradually wear away over time as the acid is reabsorbed. For many, this is seen as an advantage, as it does not require a commitment to permanent surgery. Dermal fillers can be topped up periodically, allowing us to retain a youthful appearance in the long run, without surgery. And it should be noted that the effects usually last up to 18 months, meaning that dermal fillers are not typically required at regular intervals.

– Reversible

If for any reason a patient is not happy with the result of their dermal fillers treatment, there is a simple solution, and that is to reverse the effects immediately. In these cases, an enzyme known as Vitrase is used. It can be injected soon after the procedure and is capable of reversing the effects in a very short time.

Dermal fillers and Botox: What’s the difference?

If you are unacquainted with the range of cosmetic facial treatment options, you might be unsure of the difference between dermal fillers and Botox. The truth is that these two treatments, while similar in some respects, are virtually a world apart in others.

Botox and dermal fillers are both minimally invasive skin treatments with the same general objective of addressing wrinkles, but among the key differences is that Botox can only be effective on facial lines which are the cause of muscle movement, rather than a loss of plumpness. That means that Botox can be effective in treating ‘crow’s feet’ around the eyes, as well as horizontal lines which are found on the forehead. That’s because these lines are caused by squinting or frowning. It will not be effective in addressing ‘static wrinkles’ which are facial contours that are the result of sagging lower down in the face including ‘smile lines’ (nasolabial folds).

It should also be noted that Botox works in an entirely different way to dermal fillers. Botox uses botulinum toxin and serves to block out nerve signals in the muscles when injected into target areas. This has the effect of ‘freezing’ the muscle, and consequently, the lack of movement in the targeted area may soften wrinkles, or reduce them significantly.