Words by Dr. Nasser Madi, Aesthetic Physician, Ouronyx
Age comes for us all, and despite how young we may feel inside – many of us begin to see the signs of ageing from the age of 30 years old. This is where facial injectables can come into play to support the ageing process, and there are many ways to use them. They are an excellent option for patients seeking a more rejuvenated and rested look through a non-invasive and non-surgical approach. So, it is no surprise that the global anti-ageing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7% between now and 20271.
The wisdom, experience, and accomplishments that come with getting older also show in our outward appearance. By 30, a person begins to lose 1% of their collagen production every year. Collagen is a protein found in muscles, tendons, the skin, ligaments, and bones. It makes up around 30% to 40% of proteins in the body, strengthens your skin, and benefits its elasticity and hydration. The loss of collagen causes the skin to become thinner, drier, and less elastic – producing deep and fine wrinkles, folds, and changes in texture.
But how does the ageing process begin? Over 35, the bone-regenerating cells start to decrease in the face and over time, the bones surrounding the eyes widen, leading to hollowing and flattened cheeks. Simultaneously, we lose deep fat in the face, which is significant as 80% of the facial structure is fat, ultimately giving a person their facial shape. For example, if you look at someone who loses or gains a significant amount of weight, the form of their face changes. Typically, people lose deep fat in the mid-cheek area, temples, and buckled fat that lies in the cheeks, and this lessens definition and contour and gives the skin a ‘sagging’ look.
With that said, facial injectables should never be used in a one-size-fits-all manner, as every individual is different, with their unique needs, desires, and expectations. As such, aesthetic physicians should apply a tailored approach – our guiding philosophy at Ouronyx. There is undeniably a prejudice surrounding facial injectables and a perception of looking fake. This usually occurs when individuals “chase lines and the number of syringes” by going straight to the beauty enhancement stage without first treating any underlying structural issues. Whilst there is no issue with using injectables for improvements, people are often only injected superficially with filler which leads to unnatural results (we use fillers made of hyaluronic acid, a natural component, mixed with water to treat and restructure the face). Our approach is instead to focus on targeted goals and areas for structural support and volume loss; these areas are the temples and mid-cheek, considered the foundation of the face, before moving forward to any beautification or correction goals.
Injectables are also used to correct features affected by genetic or environmental factors, including nose humps, a retruded chin, or under-eye hollows. That said, these are often a secondary focus. Still, it is an excellent alternative for someone who does not want to go with surgery.
So, can injectables change how we age? The answer to this question is yes. Undoubtedly, there is beauty in ageing, and facial injectables should be used to help a person embrace this beautiful process. Although there is a prevailing myth that having facial injectables will make it appear like you have had treatments done, this is not the case when performed by a skilled aesthetic specialist doctor. When carried out correctly, facial injectables, such as botulin toxin (i.e. Botox), profhilo, and hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers all create a subtle effect that helps you to maintain a natural appearance while restoring areas that may have been affected by ageing.