A Beginners Guide to Lip Fillers
Fillers in Dubai | 30 August 2019
Latest figures show that lip fillers are becoming one of the most sort-after aesthetic treatments, so here is a summary of information about lip fillers or lip augmentation.
What are lip fillers?
Let’s start with what they’re not: they are not permanent. They last about three months to a year depending on how quickly your body breaks them down.
The type I recommend are made of hyaluronic acid — a sugar, found naturally in the body, that adds temporary volume and definition when injected into lips.
Know Your Options
Over the last few years, government bodies have approved various hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for lips. The new formulas are all similar in composition with slight variations in longevity and density, which can determine when and how they’re used.
Know what you are looking for
I will be able to assess the shape and size of your natural lip line and show you what the optimal ratio should be. Sometimes the filler will be used to even out and correct the shape of the lips there are ratios that are generally used in terms of proportion. Your own expectations should also be addressed and the amount of volume is discussed.
Correcting balance and shape
The lips can sometimes tend to be uneven with the top or bottom one thicker than they should be. To get a perfect pout the top lip should be one third and the bottom lip should be two thirds. Sometimes they are also larger on one side than the other and the lips are a little lopsided. Dermal filler can even this out.
A quick breakdown of what is typically used:
Restylane and Restylane-L: Created for all over volume they’re the same basic formula, but Restylane-L is mixed with an anaesthetic called lidocaine
Restylane Silk: Suitable for more subtle enhancements because it contains smaller HA molecules)
Juvéderm Ultra XC: Higher density to give a plusher, pillowy effect and volume
Juvéderm Volbella XC: Refining the lip line (and treating fine lines around the mouth)
How to Ensure You’ll Love Your New Look
Do Your Research
The most important step in having a product injected in your lips is finding the right injector — Find a practitioner who has lots of experience. Look for a reputable medical practice.
Schedule a Consultation
During the initial meeting, you will review your medical history, discuss your goals and how you want your lips to look for example subtle definition, versus major volume.
You should also request to see before-and-after photos of previous patients and ask how often the practitioner does fillers.
If you need to wait to get an appointment don’t be put off as generally the experts treating lips daily will not have an appointment the next day. Also, don’t be rushed into the decision.
Don’t go for the cheapest
With most things in life, you get what you pay for. A higher price tag often means you’re paying for an injector’s experience. As for special offers, just Don’t be tempted. Offering services for a fee that seems too good to be true, could mean that your filler may have been cut with water or saline to cover the cost (meaning your fillers may not last or could come out uneven). It may also mean the practitioner is not as experienced.
EAR RESHAPING (OTOPLASTY)
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 28 August 2019
Ear reshaping, also known as Otoplasty, refers to a range of common cosmetic surgery procedures designed to correct the size and shape of the ear and earlobe. Typical procedures include pinnaplasty (to pin back ears), ear reduction (to reduce the size of the ears) as well as the correction of a range of ear deformities either apparent at birth (easily corrected by moulding the ear as it grows) or acquired later in life through trauma, piercing, surgery or cancer.
Ear surgery can be used to treat many other ear deformities such as; reshaping cartilage ears that have an unnatural shape, reducing overly large ears and reducing large earlobes or earlobes that have been overstretched (by wearing earrings, or as a result of ‘ear stretching’, also known as gauging). You are also able to have otoplasty to increase the size of a very small ear, or even rebuild new ears if you were born without an ear or earlobe. It’s even possible to reduce the formation of wrinkles or large creases found on ears, that could, in turn, increase your self-confidence.
Otoplasty surgery can be performed on children as young as age 6, as their ears may still be growing and developing. Otoplasty is a safe and effective surgery that can improve the function and appearance of the ear, as well as improving the patients’ self-image.
What is a “Mommy Makeover”?
Plastic Surgery Dubai | 26 August 2019
For those mothers out there who want a firmer, tighter body, even after childbirth, there is the Mommy Makeover Surgery. This revolutionary cosmetic procedure has been developed by cosmetic surgeons with the needs and desires of mother’s everywhere in mind. Essentially, this procedure brings together the best of several popular surgical procedures to restore and rejuvenate the mother’s body back to her pre-pregnancy body, as close as possible.
If you just had children and did not gain too much weight, a mommy makeover might be right for you. During your consultation I will give you several options of one or more procedures to regain your pre-pregnancy body based on your needs. These will usually be one or all of the main procedures involved which are a breast lift with or without implants, abdominoplasty also referred to as a tummy tuck), or liposuction. Depending on your situation you may opt in for all procedures or just do a specific one or two.
What you will learn
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- What exactly is involved in a mommy maker
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- Details about the procedures I may recommend
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- How long is the mommy makeover surgery
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- What to expect pre and post surgery
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- How long will your mommy makeover recovery time last
WHAT IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
A Mommy Makeover is a customized cosmetic treatment plan that brings a woman’s body back to normal after pregnancy. Mothers breast loose volume, they begin to sag and may require a breast lift combined with a breast augmentation to increase cup size and volume. Often times there is excess skin that appears like a kangaroo pouch and even with exercise this stubborn area will not go away. One of the main procedures is a tummy tuck with liposuction that contours and reshapes your body to where you feel confident and like your old self again.
Why is it so popular?
Having a child is one of the most amazing things a woman can experience in her life. With pregnancy woman loose the shape and firmness of their pre-pregnancy bodies. So now they have their kids but they still want to look good and feel good. Many mothers are busy and even with several good workouts a week results don’t always come easy. A Mommy makeover surgery can transform you and give you the body of your dreams.
Who is a potential candidate?
The ideal candidate is one who has had kids and has not been breastfeeding for the last six months. Additionally, it is ideal that you are close to your ideal weight and have remained so for the last few months. Any plans you may have for a pregnancy in the future should be discussed with me. Drastic weight changes will usually require additional procedures in order to fix your concerns and needs. I will talk with your about the three mommy makeover procedures, and recommend whether you should have all, one, or two.
WHAT ARE THE MOMMY MAKEOVER PROCEDURES?
Below are the following mommy makeover procedures that you may talk about with your surgeon and will likely recommend as options to reach your body goals.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is the surgical placement of breast implants, saline or silicone to increase fullness and improve symmetry of the breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
What happens during breast augmentation surgery?
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during breast augmentation surgery.
Step 2 – The incision
Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference.
Step 3 – Implant choice
Breast size and shape are important, so be honest and open about your expectations when talking with me. Implant type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more importantly on your breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type.
Options for Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Silicone breast implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue.
Step 4 – Inserting and placing the breast implant
After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement). The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.
Step 5 – Closing the incisions
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.
Step 6 – See the results
The results of breast augmentation surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller breasts.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
What happens during tummy tuck surgery?
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during abdominoplasty surgery.
Step 2 – The incision
A full tummy tuck procedure requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary. Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured while excess fat, tissue and skin is removed. A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips close the skin incisions.
Step 4 – See the results
Your abdominoplasty procedure will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight. The final results may be initially obscured by swelling and your inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete. Within a week or two, you should be standing tall and confident about your new slimmer profile.
Breast lift
Breast lift or mastopexy surgery raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Many patients combine this procedure with a breast augmentation, choosing either saline or silicone implants.
What happens during Breast Lift surgery?
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during breast lift surgery.
Step 2 – The incision
There are two common incision patterns:
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- Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
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- Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease
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Step 3 – Reshaping your breasts
After I make the incisions:
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- The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
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- The nipple and areola are re-positioned to a natural, more youthful height.
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- If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
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- Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
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After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lifts are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.
Step 4 – See the results
The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.
Liposuction
Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your self-image.
What happens during liposuction surgery?
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. I will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.
First, sterile liquid solution is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.
Step 3 – See the results
Your improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained. However, substantial weight gain can alter an otherwise permanent result.
ARM LIFT & ARM REDUCTION
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 24 August 2019
A Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure to remove loose skin and excess fat deposits on the upper arm. This can be caused by age, as the upper arm skin becomes loose and flabby, or may simply be a feature of natural fat distribution and surplus arm skin (often caused by weight loss). Brachioplasty procedures tackle these conditions to leave a tight and smooth skin appearance by using one, or both, of two key surgical techniques; liposuction and skin excision.
There are two aspects to the problem of the upper arm, the relative amount of excess fat and the excess skin. These problems have two surgical solutions, which are often combined. At the two extremes, there are patients with large arms with surplus fat, who are treated very satisfactorily by liposuction. Unobtrusive stab incisions are made in the armpit and on the back of the elbow. We then need a skilled and obsessional surgeon to very carefully remove the fat smoothly from around the arm. There are other adjacent areas that we often treat at the same time, and in particular fat around the shoulder, armpit, adjacent back and so-called tail of the breast. This is fat that bunches up particularly when wearing a bra, below the front of the armpit. Also, we carry out liposuction of forearms and make particular note of the fat on the back of the elbow. All of these areas can be treated in the same session.
This liposuction carried out on its own is particularly useful when the skin is still relatively elastic and will, therefore, be more commonly carried out in younger patients. At the other extreme, we have skinny patients who simply have a lot of loose skin hanging down embarrassingly as ‘Bingo Wings’. Retraction of the skin after liposuction would not be adequate, and in any case, there is little or no fat to remove. In this case, the solution is skin reduction, and can only be carried out by removing a long ellipse of skin from the back of the elbow, along the line between the inside and back of the arm, curving into the armpit. It is important to consider the position of the scar to ensure it is as subtle as possible.
The scars themselves take some months to settle in. Some surgeons offer to tighten the skin with an excision of skin confined to the armpit. The skin then is pulled up towards the armpit like pulling up a sock. Unfortunately, this does not work for the vast majority of patients. The excess skin is around the circumference of the arm and not along the length. In patients who have had extreme weight loss, perhaps after bariatric surgery, there is surplus skin everywhere and an arm reduction can be incorporated into reductions of the skin of the back, flank and breast
Many patients do not fit into these two groups. They have both excess fat and excess skin. Liposuction alone will not tighten the skin sufficiently. In these cases, a combination of liposuction and excision of skin and fat is carried out. Experience and careful planning are required to produce a symmetrical result. We have all seen patients who have had unequal amounts of skin and fat removed with unnaturally shaped arms, of unequal size. There are even occasions where patients have required to have skin put back, using skin grafts.
Telltale Signs of Ageing: Hands
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 23 August 2019
One of the telltale signs of ageing is the hands. We don’t tend to apply the same youth-preserving routines to our hands as we do to the face. This, combined with years of hand washing, continual usage and exposure to the elements take their toll on our hands. Signs of ageing hands include dry, scaly and crepey skin, protruding veins, age spots, brittle nails and nobbly joints; which inevitably lead to people feeling self-conscious. How many children want to shake hands with their grandparents?
Where should we start?
The obvious place is the visible area, the skin. It becomes thin, dry and crepey. Lift it up and it stays lifeless, where it was. There is no springing back. We lose collagen, elasticity and the glands that secrete onto the surface. Soft suppleness is lost. There is no tender touch. Age spots or liver spots are the flat brown or grey patches appearing on the back of the hands of most people above 40 years old and particularly those with fair skin.
They occur due to exposure to the sun, resulting in excess melanin production. Sun also causes rough, scaly patches called actinic keratosis (AKs). Beware, these are pre-cancerous, developing into Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC). The patches of pigment are also not immune to malignant change. Beneath the skin, the veins and tendons become prominent and visible as the underlying supporting fat melts away. Nails become brittle and prone to fungal infection. The wrist and finger joints become nobbly, stiff, deformed and painful with arthritis.
EYELID REDUCTION (BLEPHAROPLASTY)
Blepharoplasty Dubai | 22 August 2019
As we age, the skin around our eyes starts to lose its elasticity causing gradual fine lines and wrinkles. Over time, under-eye bags will start to develop as the muscles relax and lower eyelids sag down. In addition, our upper eyelids can also start to droop with age. Comfort aside, this can also give the eyes an older, tired look and a hooded or bulging appearance that can make patients feel self-conscious.
During a short operation (1-3 hours), loose skin and excess fatty tissue around the eye area is removed, tightening the relaxed muscles and giving the skin a firmer, more youthful appearance and a more attractive aesthetic. I use eyelid surgery in conjunction with non-surgical techniques to counteract the effects of ageing around the eyes.
Non-surgical treatments can reduce the wrinkles but not the folds. Injectables can lift the eyebrows. Surgical skin reduction of the upper eyelids leaves a very fine scar in the natural fold and in the lower eyelid is disguised under the eyelashes. Bulging fat can be reduced surgically at the same time the skin can be reduced or re-positioned surgically at the same time as the skin reduction or in the lower eyelid often through the inner conjunctival side of the lid, thus avoiding any possibility of a visible scar. Finally, fat grafting can be added to restore lost fat of not only of the eyelids but of the brow and the temple. The tired hooded, look with bulging bags should now be a thing of the past. A simple upper eyelid reduction takes less than an hour, but other options to restore vitality including fat grafting and tightening of relaxed muscles may take two or three hours.
MINI-FACELIFT – removing excess skin around the face, jaw & neck areas
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 17 August 2019
A mini-facelift is focussed on removing excess skin around the face, jaw and neck areas, the mini-facelift is an ideal treatment for people wanting to achieve a more youthful appearance without undergoing a full facelift procedure.
Skin ages over time and the earliest signs of ageing appear where the skin is most delicate- the face and neck. Fine lines and excess skin typically start to develop in our 40s, transforming into deeper wrinkles and volume loss in our 50s. This process is further escalated by lifestyle and external factors such as sun exposure, stress, smoking, nutrition and sleep. Common concerns include drooping eyebrows, bags around the upper and lower eyelids, drooping/sagging skin, reduction in fat around the cheeks, and wrinkles.
The mini-facelift is designed to turn back the clock by 10 years, enabling the natural ageing process to continue from that point. There are several approaches to a facelift treatment, depending on the patient’s concerns and specific skin condition which will be reviewed during a consultation.
The mini-facelift procedure uses minimal incisions to remove sagging and deformations that have formed due to ageing – usually in the face, jaw, and neck areas. These incisions are hidden in the natural folds and the hairline leaving no visible scarring. The procedure takes around 1.5 hours and can is treated as a day case.
Why have a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Plastic Surgery Dubai | 13 August 2019
The shape and proportion of a person’s buttocks are largely determined by genetics; both your skeletal structure and how your body stores fat influence the appearance of the lower body. A healthy diet and exercise can work to achieve a healthy body weight and tone the muscles, but many patients remain unhappy with a “flat” buttocks that lacks shape, despite a healthy lifestyle.
Brazilian butt lift surgery can help overcome the effects of genetics by reshaping the buttocks and surrounding areas, such as the hips, lower back, and thighs. You might consider a Brazilian butt lift to:
- Enhance the curves of your lower body
- Reduce fat pockets on your hips, thighs or belly while adding fullness to the buttocks
- Help clothing fit more attractively
- Give a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing shape to flat buttocks
- Enhance your overall proportions by improving balance between your upper and lower body
What is a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift is a specialized fat transfer procedure that augments the size and shape of the buttocks without implants. Excess fat is removed from the hips, abdomen, lower back, or thighs with liposuction, and a portion of this fat is then strategically injected into the buttocks.
A skilled cosmetic surgeon can improve the proportions of the entire lower body with Brazilian butt lift surgery, helping a patient lose fat in common “problem areas” and enhance the buttocks, with results lasting many years.
Am I a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift?
A Brazilian butt lift can be a great option to improve the shape and size of the buttocks; however, certain patients are better suited to the procedure, and it is important to have realistic expectations about the surgery, recovery, and results. In general, you are likely a good candidate for a Brazilian butt lift if you agree with the following:
- You want a buttock augmentation without implants
- You have good skin tone in the hips and buttocks
- You have adequate fat stores in other areas to harvest for injection into the buttocks
- You are willing and able to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for several weeks
Despite its name, a Brazilian butt lift is not a traditional “lifting” procedure — it does not address loose skin on the buttocks. If you are bothered by excess, sagging skin on the buttocks or thighs, thigh & buttock lift surgery may be a more suitable option.
Lip Fillers – All Your Questions Answered!
Fillers in Dubai | 9 August 2019
Q: How long does the procedure take?
Less than an hour. First, your injector will cleanse the area and apply a topical numbing cream (it needs about 20 minutes to kick in) or inject you with lidocaine. Then, the injections themselves take 15 to 20 minutes.
Q: How bad does it hurt?
Most women say the lidocaine shot hurts most (like an intense bee sting). As for the filler itself, it can be best described as an immediate pricking sensation, then uncomfortable pressure as the filler moves throughout the lips.
Q: Will they look good right after?
You’ll see immediate volume, but expect a few days of bruising and swelling (so schedule accordingly).
Q: What about the side effects?
You may notice some small bumps under your lips. They usually smooth out on their own within a week or two, but if not, your injector can remove them. While rare, more serious complications (like a blood clot) can occur, so if you’re experiencing significant pain or skin discoloration, see a doctor ASAP.
Q: How do I take care of them after?
No touching your lips for 48 hours after injections. And hold off on exercise for a few days, as it speeds up your blood flow.
Q: How do I maintain them?
Touch-ups every three months to a year. Why such a big window? Factors like filler consistency and lifestyle can affect longevity. For instance, in patients who are more physically active, their filler dissolves faster than in those who are more sedentary.
Q: What if I hate them?
Your doctor can dissolve the filler by injecting lips with the enzyme hyaluronidase. Most reputable derms will do this for free if you’re not happy with their work.
Blepharoplasty – FAQs
Blepharoplasty Dubai | 6 August 2019
Infection: This is very uncommon. If you feel unwell, hot, or the treated area appears red, with sensations of burning or there is any discharge we would urge you to contact the clinic for advice and/or urgent treatment.
Pain: You will experience discomfort over the first few days following surgery however the degree of pain does vary from person to person. Painkillers can be prescribed and taken home with you and manages any discomfort well.
Work / Sport / Leisure Activities: It is recommended that you take one week off from work, however if you have a sedentary job a few days is acceptable but you must stand up and walk around every hour or so as movement will accelerate healing. If you have an active hobby or leisure interest, please seek advice from your surgeon as to when you will be able to return to it following surgery.
Children: If you have young children or babies, please ensure that the area(s) treated are not touched or disturbed for at least 1 week. Your tissues have been agitated and require a period of time to heal without disturbance. It is recommended that you organise help with caring for young children during the first few days of recovery.
Bathing: Wounds must be kept completely dry for the first week. ‘’Baby wiping’’ the face for the first week to clean yourself is recommended. After your first post-operative check with the nurse at the end of week one, you will be advised that you can shower and wash as usual – you will also be provided guidance appropriate products to use.
Sun Bathing: Do not sit out in strong sun for the first two weeks after surgery. Once you have fully recovered and your scars are matured you may allow your eye area to be completely exposed in the sun but shielding them as much as you can in the weeks following your treatment will only improve your final scarring results
Diet: Ensure that you maintain a healthy nutritious diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, as this is important for wound healing and bowels. As you are inactive and have most likely been taking painkillers constipation may become an issue, to help prevent this or to ease symptoms you may use a product such as Senokot® or whatever has suited you in the past
Flying: If possible avoid flying for the first six weeks – usual medical guidelines dictate 2 weeks for short haul flights and a full 6 weeks for long haul. Following surgery, you must ideally wear flight socks and take low dose aspirin before flying.